Katie Vineyard, CEO of Challenge Enterprises, is thrilled to share some groundbreaking news from Governor DeSantis’ office. Last week, the governor signed the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, which significantly benefits the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). This new budget, combined with the recent Live Healthy legislation, promises to positively impact the clients and families served by Challenge Enterprises.
The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget represents a substantial investment in essential programs and includes several commonsense adjustments to existing policies. This news is not only a win for those connected to Challenge Enterprises but also for individuals with disabilities across the State of Florida.
Below is the entire text from the APD press release, highlighting the details and specifics of this landmark budget:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2024 CONTACT: APD Press, [email protected]
Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future Budget Invests Record Funding for Direct Services for Floridians with Disabilities
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Yesterday, Governor DeSantis signed the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget which, combined with the recent Live Healthy legislation, includes $2.6 billion for individuals and families served through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The Focus on Florida’s Future budget is a testament to Governor DeSantis’ unwavering commitment to all Florida families. Investments highlighted in the 2024-25 budget include funding to support Floridians with developmental disabilities access quality services, maximize community integration, and achieve a state of thriving.
“We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the historic investments made to ensure this sacred population of Floridians is able to access a wide variety of supports and services at the earliest moment possible,” said Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor N. Hatch. “This record funding allows for a greater number of Floridians with developmental disabilities to enroll onto the iBudget waiver, provides for the development of a new pathway to serve individuals as they transition to adulthood, and includes a first-ever across-the-board rate increase for providers who support Floridians with developmental disabilities achieve their God-given potential.”
Key Investments in the Budget:
- $2.2 billion for the iBudget Waiver: Includes $64.8 million to enroll additional individuals experiencing crisis and $55.7 million to enroll individuals in specific pre-enrollment categories. The funding also supports individuals with siblings in categories 3, 4, 5, or 6.
- $300,000 for Adult Pathways Waiver Development: This new waiver aims to support greater independence and empowerment of individuals transitioning to adulthood.
- $6.5 million for Dual Diagnosis Pilot Program: To serve individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with additional investments within the existing Mobile Response Team framework and training expansions.
- $195.8 million for Provider Rate Increase: Record investment to support an across-the-board rate increase to providers delivering services to individuals on the Florida iBudget Home and Community-Based Services waiver.
- $3.5 million for Incident Management System: For collecting, reviewing, and monitoring critical incidents to enhance service quality through predictive analytics and intervention strategies.
- $5 million in Tax Credits: To encourage businesses to employ individuals with disabilities by reducing corporate income taxes.
To learn more about Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, click here.
