Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2024
Tallahassee, FL (December 9, 2024) As we close out 2024, many of our member agencies and the individuals they serve are celebrating the holiday season. The staff of Florida ARF and RESPECT of Florida wish each of our member agencies, employment centers, and stakeholders a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2025. The Association is totally committed to assisting the community agencies we represent to achieve their mission to provide quality services and supports to individuals with disabilities. While we experienced a momentous 2024 with the funding increases by Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, we still have areas we need addressed in 2025. We will be continuously working to ensure that our members needs and messages are communicated to policy and lawmakers. Florida ARF and RESPECT thank each of you for allowing us the opportunity to represent your interests over the last year. We look forward to serving you in 2025!
Florida ARF Reflects on Accomplishments During National Apprenticeship Week
Tallahassee, FL (November 12, 2024) November 17-23, 2024, is National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration established by the U.S. Department of Labor to bring together leading business, labor, education, and other critical partners to showcase how apprenticeship programs are closing the skills gap in the American workforce. As part of the celebration, Florida ARF is honored to recognize our graduates of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Apprenticeship. The Association is a sponsoring agency with the Department of Education’s apprenticeship initiative which provided a statewide opportunity for our member agencies to be approved as apprenticeship Employers. Our DSP Apprentices completed intensive instruction and work a prescribed number of hours to gain on-the-job experience as well as learning needed competencies over the enrollment year. We commend the over 80 apprentices that have completed the DSP Apprenticeship to date and celebrate their success during National Apprenticeship Week. According to Vice President Courtney Swilley: “The DSP Apprenticeship experience allows DSPs to enhance their professional skills, obtain a certificate of completion, and realize wage increases based on demonstrated competencies. We are very pleased with the success that has been achieved and thank the Employers who joined with us for this groundbreaking initiative. We are pleased to celebrate their success.”
Florida ARF Observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Tallahassee, FL (October 31, 2024) Observed each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy. This awareness showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and their employees. This year's theme, "Access to Good Jobs for All” recognizes the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive workforce. To kickoff this year’s campaign, President Biden issued the annual Presidential Proclamation recognizing the immense contributions of Americans with disabilities and the Administration's commitment to delivering America's full promise of equal dignity, respect, and?opportunity for every American. In the proclamation he stated “During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate the talent, impact, and legacy of people with disabilities across our Nation by working to make our country stronger, more prosperous, and more just. And we recommit to ensuring people with disabilities have every opportunity to pursue the American Dream.”
Florida ARF was also pleased to release the RESPECT of Florida video that showcases several dedicated workers with disabilities or who are blind or visually impaired that work in various capacities across the state. We are sure that each of you will appreciate the meaningful testimonies of the individuals employed and the impact the RESPECT Program has in creating employment opportunities for Floridians with disabilities. If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of partnering with RESPECT of Florida, please take a look at our newly released benefits video.
Florida ARF is pleased to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness month and recognize all of the work our members and Employment Centers are doing to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their employment goals.
Florida ARF and the Florida Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (FADSP) Celebrate 2024 Direct Support Professional Week
Tallahassee, FL (September 9, 2024) September 8-14 is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. In celebration of this event, Florida ARF and the Florida Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (FADSP) hereby recognize DSPs who make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they serve. Their stories clearly communicate the loving attitude and dedication of DSPs who give so freely of themselves to serve others. DSPs are the backbone of long-term supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the State of Florida. We truly value and appreciate the services and sacrifices DSPs make to ensure that others needs are met.
During the week, the Association will feature a select number of DSPs who are making a difference across Florida; we also want to acknowledge there are many deserving DSPs that should be recognized for the outstanding work they do on a daily basis to care for loved ones served by our member agencies. To all the DSPs across Florida, we offer a hearty “Thank you for all that you do!”
