From the Governor’s website – Governor Ron DeSantis announced the highest level of funding for direct services for people with unique abilities in Florida’s history with more than $2.2 billion going to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) for services through the iBudget waiver. Read the entire announcement.
🗓️ Wednesday, January 15, 2025
🕠 11:00 AM – Noon
🧑🏻💻 Webinar
This webinar will discuss the process for applying for the iBudget Waiver through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), including the various eligibility categories and the crisis application process.
After this webinar, participants will:
🗓️ Tuesday, January 7, 2025 & Tuesday, January 14, 2025
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will offer a modified experience for individuals and families with disabilities and sensory sensitivities during the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild. Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See over 50 different, hand-constructed illuminated lantern displays around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals.
Tickets must be purchased online. Limited tickets are available per night.
Monthly Self-Advocacy Zoom Meeting |
Monday, January 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Topic: General Issues Related to Medicaid and the iBudget Waiver.
FL SAND Members and Fellows are on the phone the first Monday of each month. This monthly call started during the pandemic to provide support, encouragement, and answer questions self-advocates had about the pandemic and other topics. Today, the call is a place to meet and share information on a variety of disability related topics. Fellows are not experts but as advocates have become knowledgeable about who has the answers to common questions and where you can find them. Calls are typically postponed one week when major holidays fall on or are close to the first Monday.
Webinar – Navigating the Justice System – People With Lived Experience
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
People with I/DD, brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions often come into contact with the justice system in various ways. This session will focus on ways to prevent involvement with the justice system. We will discuss various touch points in the justice system where support can be offered, ensuring individuals get the resources and understanding they need. Additionally, we will cover how to help them successfully reintegrate into society by connecting them with community resources and support networks.
Live captions and ASL interpretation are provided.
Webinar – Navigating the Justice System – Families of People With Lived Experience
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
People with I/DD, brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions often come into contact with the justice system in various ways. This session will focus on ways to prevent involvement with the justice system. We will discuss various touch points in the justice system where support can be offered, ensuring individuals get the resources and understanding they need. Additionally, we will cover how to help them successfully reintegrate into society by connecting them with community resources and support networks.
Live captions and ASL interpretation are provided.
Webinar – Navigating the Justice System – Clinical Professionals
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
People with I/DD, brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions often come into contact with the justice system in various ways. This session will focus on ways to prevent involvement with the justice system. We will discuss various touch points in the justice system where support can be offered, ensuring individuals get the resources and understanding they need. Additionally, we will cover how to help them successfully reintegrate into society by connecting them with community resources and support networks.
Live captions and ASL interpretation are provided.
Webinar – Navigating the Justice System – Direct Support Professionals
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
People with I/DD, brain injuries, and other disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions often come into contact with the justice system in various ways. This session will focus on ways to prevent involvement with the justice system. We will discuss various touch points in the justice system where support can be offered, ensuring individuals get the resources and understanding they need. Additionally, we will cover how to help them successfully reintegrate into society by connecting them with community resources and support networks.
Live captions and ASL interpretation are provided.
Theme: Partnership and Collaboration: Elevating Family Leadership
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 – Friday, January 31, 2025 | Embassy Suites by Hilton Altamonte Springs
We want to welcome Family Leaders, Self-Advocates, the Champions who support family-professional partnerships, and emerging professionals representing healthcare settings, community agencies and academic centers. We all share an understanding of and passion for family-professional partnerships that strengthen the systems that serve our children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN).
The phrase “children and youth with special healthcare needs” is broadly accepted wording that encompasses children and youth with disability, chronic illness and medical complexity. About 20% of children in the US are in this category.
During this two-day conference we will have the opportunity to network with one another. We will strengthen our leadership skills by learning together.
We look forward to welcoming you back if you have attended in the past and getting to know you if this is your first time attending.
Monthly Luncheon – Self Pay Event
Monday, December 16, 2024 | 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 112 South 5th Street, Leesburg
Join the Celebrate Differences support group for moms of children with disabilities. This a nurturing and empowering community where mothers can come together to share their experiences, receive emotional support, and gain valuable information to help them navigate the complexities of raising a child with special needs. Our group provides a safe and understanding space where moms can connect with others who truly understand their challenges and triumphs. This group often features guest speakers and other resources to further support the well-being of mothers and families.
Please RSVP to info@celebratedifferences.org by Dec 12th!
Holiday Gathering – Self Pay Event
Monday, December 16, 2024 | 5:45 PM | Belle Glade Country Club
Time for Friends to gather and enjoy the holidays. Please join us on Monday, December 16th at 5:45pm at Belle Glade Country Club for dinner. We look forward to seeing you.
Let Janey Chavez know by December 1st how many you are bringing so we can get a final headcount.
Webinar – Liberty Dental Part 2
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Be Smart, on December 18, will touch on navigating the system and finding dental resources in your community. Hear from a panel of (dentists/providers/experts) on ways to provide person centered approaches to serving those with I/DD and their dental needs along with health care decision-making.
Would you like to participate in a virtual focus group?
Focus groups will be facilitated virtually and you will need access to an internet-enabled device with video and audio capabilities. Focus group discussions will take up to 90 minutes. To participate you must:
