Families fight to maintain care for loved ones with developmental disabilities

The Florida Legislature made a historic $95 million investment in what's known as the "iBudget" Florida Medicaid waiver, a program that lets individuals receive care in their own homes and community. But advocates say they worry others who already receive these benefits could be at risk.

[@alisonraiche5350]

I can’t get services for my adult disabled child despite having funding from apd. I am so burned out and can’t get any help. Case manager tells me there are no providers. I have not had a break in over a year. This is crazy and depressing

[@nikkiboza4237]

Oh wow I'm so sowie to hear that that must be very hard! You seem like a fighter though. I'm a stay at home momma so I don't understand caring for a disabled child but I do

[@nikkiboza4237]

Sympathize with you on caring for a child at home my daughter is 2.5yrs old being a single mom who works from home it can be hard Where do you live if u don't mind me asking? I live in Florida

[@alisonraiche5350]

I get it .there is no end in sight

[@CammyHell]

They need to go through and make sure that everyone on Medicaid actually needs it so that people like Jonathan can KEEP his care

[@musicgirl999]

I was told Florida is one of the worst states to be in if you have special needs!

[@TheInternetHurtMyFeelings]

And they don't pay the workers nearly enough that's why they don't have enough workers they keep the money for themselves.... Caring for the special needs is a very hard job and it should be rewarded with good pay

[@deenunyabiz4771]

Ok so here’s how it works: APD does not establish the pay rates. That is done through state legislature. APD contracts with direct care service provider agencies as 1099 contract workers and those agencies can only pay staff based on the state approved rate. These agencies do not bill APD for services rendered, the billing is sent directly to Medicaid. APD only clears people to go on the program, approves their services that get requested by the Coordinators, and contracts with the service providers. Yes, the pay rates are insultingly low, but APD doesn’t control that.

[@angelathomas3005]

Nor do they pay the Coordinators

[@robertvandyk5522]

I have been living as special needs. I was 35 years old when I start understanding of taken care of my responsibility. The only way people get people get better By believing yourself. Medication not the answer. Nore is the Dionysus. Even though a lot may be the truth,most is not what trying is as a individual. If you have health problems, you going to wait until you find another medicine? You can still do the basic. Like eat better. Find a daily exercise habits. And most of all trust and believe you can do better. Just remember. Nobody own you. Whe. You 18,you have the right to believe what right for you.

[@alisonraiche5350]

Why won’t anyone do anything.

[@cindyfindeis2098]

I am having trouble I can’t get nothing Until I am 72 years old, I have been Disabled since I was very young.

[@deenunyabiz4771]

If your disability is not one of the 7 that the Waiver program covers you will not qualify for funding under APD. It’s all based on what your disability is.

[@cindyfindeis2098]

What are the seven , I have had post traumatic stress syndrome since I was a Child I also have learning Disability , COPD Heart Problems and fiber myalgia. Severe Depression.

[@JamieDallas]

@@cindyfindeis2098 -Intellectual disabilities (Full Scale IQ of 70 or below) -Severe forms of autism -Spina bifida cystica or myelomeningocele -Cerebral palsy -Prader-Willi syndrome -Down syndrome -Phelan-McDermid syndrome

[@deenunyabiz4771]

This is inaccurate! A supported living coach is not able to render services to an individual living in their family home. The proper service IS Personal Supports. A supported living coach assists in managing the persons financial needs and helps them pay bills. There is nothing this coach is doing to qualify for SLC services therefore Personal Supports is appropriate since Jonathan lives with his mother. The only difference between the training of a SLC and a personal supports staff pertains to the financial management certification. Otherwise a PS staff has the exact same direct care training and skills as a SLC. There is a pay differential but that’s based again, on the financial management services. Sad that this has been so badly misrepresented. I’ve worked with people with disabilities under the Med Waiver program through APD for over 20 years now. In no way am I defending APD, but this is not accurately portrayed and the law suit will not prevail unfortunately.

[@alisonraiche5350]

No on gives 2 shits about the difficulties and lack of help family caregivers go through and what will happen to out children. Go to Florida they don’t give a crap