Skip to content
Skip to content
Advancing Families & Individuals Needing Services
  • Home
  • Letter Writing
  • Resources
  • Services
  • Medical Referrals
  • Florida Representatives
  • APD Acronyms
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Toggle website search
Menu Close
  • Home
  • Letter Writing
  • Resources
  • Services
  • Medical Referrals
  • Florida Representatives
  • APD Acronyms
  • Blog
  • FAQ
Read more about the article The Villages Newcomers Series

The Villages Newcomers Series

  • Post published:September 7, 2024
  • Post category:Newcomers

Welcome to The Villages, Moving can be stressful for anyone but even more so for someone with special needs and their family. This web series is an expansion of our…

Continue ReadingThe Villages Newcomers Series
Read more about the article Florida Identification

Florida Identification

  • Post published:September 4, 2024
  • Post category:Newcomers

Drivers License & ID Card Many special needs assistance programs and services you will be applying for require the applicant and caregiver to have a current Florida drivers license or…

Continue ReadingFlorida Identification
Read more about the article Federal & State Special Needs Assistance Programs

Federal & State Special Needs Assistance Programs

  • Post published:September 4, 2024
  • Post category:Medicaid/APD/Newcomers/Medicare/Social Security

MedicareMedicaid/Florida Department of Children & FamiliesLake CountyMarion CountySumter CountySocial Security AdministrationLake & Sumter CountyMarion CountyAgency for Persons with Disabilities There are many special needs programs available in Florida. We cannot…

Continue ReadingFederal & State Special Needs Assistance Programs
Read more about the article The Villages Special Needs Community

The Villages Special Needs Community

  • Post published:August 13, 2024
  • Post category:Socialization/Workshops/Newcomers

Welcome to The Villages Special Needs Community. Here you will find support groups, socialization groups, and activities for special needs residents, and their caregivers, of The Villages and surrounding area.…

Continue ReadingThe Villages Special Needs Community

Read Posts By Category

Click on event to see details

Newsletter Archive

  • Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day
    February 7, 2025
  • Happy New Year!
    January 1, 2025
  • Transitions Life Center Visit
    December 1, 2024
  • Exciting APD News
    November 5, 2024
  • Important APD Changes
    October 1, 2024
  • Encouraging iBudget Waiver News & CDC+ Information
    September 1, 2024
  • APD is Processing iBudget Waivers
    August 1, 2024
  • AFINS Website is Now Live
    July 2, 2024
  • AFINS Website is Now Live
    July 1, 2024
  • AFINS Introduces Advocacy Awareness Newsletter
    June 3, 2024
Subscribe to Advocacy Awareness

Contact AFINS

Contact Webmaster

Privacy Policy

Copyright 2025 - Advancing Families & Individuals Needing Assistance (AFINS) | OceanWP Theme by OceanWP

My Special Place Forum & Housing Update

🗓️ Thursday, June 19, 2025
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Lake Miona Recreation Center, Defender Room
🧍 Hosted by John Langan during his monthly AACID meeting

You’re Invited: Parent/Caregiver Forum & Housing Update

Please join the My Special Place Board for an important Parent/Caregiver Forum and Housing Update.

My Special Place has recently gained new momentum with an expanded Board and a renewed commitment to our mission: to create safe, high-quality residential housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in The Villages and surrounding communities.

At the Forum, you’ll receive an update on our progress and learn how you can get involved. Most importantly, we welcome your input and ideas as we work together to understand and meet the needs of your special loved ones.

Open to the public

My Special Place Forum & Housing Update

🗓️ Thursday, June 5, 2025
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Eisenhower Recreation Center, Arnold & McArthur Rooms
🧍 Hosted by the Social Club for Special Guys & Gals
🆔 Villages ID Required

You’re Invited: Parent/Caregiver Forum & Housing Update

Please join the My Special Place Board for an important Parent/Caregiver Forum and Housing Update.

My Special Place has recently gained new momentum with an expanded Board and a renewed commitment to our mission: to create safe, high-quality residential housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in The Villages and surrounding communities.

At the Forum, you’ll receive an update on our progress and learn how you can get involved. Most importantly, we welcome your input and ideas as we work together to understand and meet the needs of your special loved ones.

27th Annual Family Café

🗓️ June 13-15, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Since 1998, The Annual Family Café has brought Floridians with all types of disabilities together for three days of information, training, and networking each June. With a great range of individual breakout sessions, a packed Exhibit Hall with hundreds of vendors, and a series of special events including Keynote speakers and The Governors’ Summit on Disabilities, The Annual Family Café offers attendees exposure to resources on a grand scale, unprecedented access to policy-making officials, and a chance to network with other individuals with disabilities and their families.

There is no registration fee for individuals with disabilities and their families.

All available Financial Assistance to cover the cost of accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Orlando has been distributed by lottery at this time.

More Information

Special Olympics Bowling Season 2025

🗓️ Saturday, August 2, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Melbourne Auditorium, 625 East Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne, FL

More Information

Special Olympics Bowling Season 2025

🗓️ Weekly, Beginning Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕚 2:00 PM
📍 AMF Leesburg Lanes, 2813 West Main Street, Leesburg, FL

New for the 2025 BOWLING SEASON! One Special Olympics Bowling team in Sumter County with two locations -Spanish Springs Lanes and Leesburg Lanes. Coaches will be sharing the roster from each location. YOU MAY NOT ATTEND BOTH LOCATIONS.

What to Wear: Red Special Olympics Shirt & black shorts

  • There are no bowling fees
  • Special Olympics rules for Bowling Skills will be followed
  • Volunteers are always needed. Certification is not required to volunteer.
  • Sumter County Special Olympics is seeking certified bowling coaches. If interested, click the “Become a Certified Bowling Coach” below to register for the upcoming certification training at Spanish Springs Lanes on May 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
Email Special Olympics Sumter With Questions
Become a Certified Bowling Coach

Special Olympics Bowling Season 2025

🗓️ Weekly, Beginning Saturday, June 28, 2025
🕚 3:00 PM
📍 Spanish Springs Lanes, 997 Alvarez Avenue, The Villages

New for the 2025 BOWLING SEASON! One Special Olympics Bowling team in Sumter County with two locations -Spanish Springs Lanes and Leesburg Lanes. Coaches will be sharing the roster from each location. YOU MAY NOT ATTEND BOTH LOCATIONS.

What to Wear: Red Special Olympics Shirt & black shorts

  • There are no bowling fees
  • Special Olympics rules for Bowling Skills will be followed
  • Volunteers are always needed. Certification is not required to volunteer.
  • Sumter County Special Olympics is seeking certified bowling coaches. If interested, click the “Become a Certified Bowling Coach” below to register for the upcoming certification training at Spanish Springs Lanes on May 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
Email Special Olympics Sumter With Questions
Become a Certified Bowling Coach

Special Olympics Pickleball Season 2025

🗓️ Weekly, Beginning Tuesday, July 1, 2025
🕚 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Homestead Pickleball Courts, 6227 Meggison Road, The Villages
🆔 Villages Identification Required

What to Wear: Red Special Olympics Shirt & black shorts, gym shoes, hat and sunglasses
Keep COOL! Bring cooling towels, neck wraps etc

The Special Olympics rules for Pickleball Skills will be followed.

Click to Email Your Question

Special Olympics Pickleball Season 2025

🗓️ Weekly, Beginning Wednesday, May 7, 2025
🕚 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Bradenton Pickleball Courts, 1300 Pinellas Place, The Villages
🆔 Villages Identification Required

What to Wear: Red Special Olympics Shirt & black shorts, gym shoes, hat and sunglasses
Keep COOL! Bring cooling towels, neck wraps etc

The Special Olympics rules for Pickleball Skills will be followed.

Click to Email Your Question

Discounted Monthly Amazon Prime membership

🧑🏻‍💻 Visit amazon.com/primeaccess and upload the required documentation

Qualifying EBT and government assistance recipients can save 50% on the monthly Prime membership.

Verify your eligibility for Prime Access by providing one of the following:

  • SSI: Image of complete eligibility letter for Supplemental Security Income (it is different from Social Security and SSDI.)
  • SNAP: Enter your EBT number and upload an image of the EBT card.
  • Medicaid: Upload image of your Medicaid eligibility letter.
  • DE: Image of Direct Express Debit Card.
  • TANF: Image of eligibility letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
  • NSLP: Image of letter showing current participation in the National School Lunch Program, with your child’s name, and the school name.
  • LIHEAP: Image of letter confirming your eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
  • WIC: Image of eligibility letter for the Women, Infants, and Children program.
  • TTANF: Image of Tribal assistance eligibility letter.
  • NAP: Upload image of Family Card for Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program.

NOTE: The image should be legible. It must show the issue date (must be within the last 12 months) or the expiry date (must be valid), and the beneficiary name.

After you verify your card or document, you can receive a discount on Amazon Prime.

If you reverify your eligibility every 12 months, you receive the discount for up to four years from the date you sign up. We’ll send you an email when it’s time to reverify your document.

Unless you cancel your membership, at the end of the 4th year, you can sign up for a different Prime membership.

Get Started

Beneficiary Outreach Webinar

🗓️ Thursday, March 20, 2025
🕠 3:00 pm
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Webinar

The American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) invites Social Security disability beneficiaries to learn about the benefits of returning to work, and about the SSA work incentives that are in place to make that happen. Many beneficiaries have received misinformation about how returning to work will impact benefits, and therefore, may have decided it’s too risky to attempt. This event informs beneficiaries about resources that assist them in returning to work.

Live, virtual ASL interpreters and closed-captioning will be provided during this event.

Register Here

Mom2Mom DCF Event

🗓️ Monday, April 7, 2025
🕙 10:00 am – Noon
📍 Villages Public Library at Pinellas Plaza, 7375 Powell Road, Suite #100, Wildwood

Mom2Mom of The Villages hosts an event with guest speakers from the Department of Children and Families (DCF):

  • Julie Reed, Office of Programs and Policy, ESS Chief of Policy
  • Dorthene Baker, Office of Programs and Policy, Medicaid Unit Supervisor
  • Caitlin Fox, Center of Excellence, Eligibility Supervisor

Learn about Medicaid, including:

  • Medicaid Redetermination
  • Protected Medicaid
  • Medically Needy Share of Cost
  • Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC)
  • Changes to Medicaid Policy

Space is limited, so it’s for disabled and special needs adults and their caregivers. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and only those registered will be admitted.

Register by email on or before April 5, 2025, with Peg O’Malley. Include the names of attendees. You’ll receive an email confirmation.

Reserve Your Space with Peg O’malley

2025 – 2026 FDDC Partners in Policy Making Open Enrollment

Partners in Policymaking® (PIP) is a leadership training program that prepares adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members who have decision-making responsibility for their family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (e.g., parent, sibling, grandparent), and legal guardians of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be effective advocates at the local, state, and federal levels. PIP teaches leadership skills and techniques to develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel and other individuals who make policy decisions about services that you and/or your family use.

More Information
Apply Today

Top 5 Reasons You Need an ABLE United Account

🗓️ Wednesday, February 19, 2025
🕠 12 Noon
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Webinar

In this presentation, you’ll learn how ABLE accounts provide an opportunity to save tax-free without impacting eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.

Presenters include: John Finch, ABLE United Director

Register Here

Online Registration Opens on Valentine’s Day!

🗓️ Friday, February 14, 2025
🕠 12:00 AM
🧑🏻‍💻 Register

Join us for a healthy dose of Collaboration, Advocacy, Friendship, and Empowerment this June 13-15 in Orlando. The first step is to get registered, so circle Friday, February 14th in your calendar and remember to register.

As always, there’s no cost to attend the event for people with disabilities and their families. 

We’re also once again offering Financial Assistance to cover the cost of hotel accommodation for a limited number of applicants selected by lottery. Make sure to check the box to request Financial Assistance when you register! 

If you’ve been to The Annual Family Cafe, you know how transformative the three days of information, training, resources, and connection we offer can be.

If you haven’t, it’s time to find out!

Register Friday, February 14th

Effectively Investigating Cases Involving Trafficked Survivors with Disabilities

🗓️ Wednesday, January 29, 2025
🕠 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Meeting

Activating Change, in partnership with the National Human Trafficking of People with Disabilities Working Group, has developed an in-depth training for law enforcement on effectively identifying and responding to trafficking cases involving victims with disabilities. This webinar will introduce the training to the field, explore the barriers it is attempting to address, and preview how you can access the training.

Register Today

Grassroots Advocacy – Speaker: Stephanie Nordin, For All the People

🗓️ Friday, January 24, 2025
🕠 6:30 PM
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Meeting

Nicole Grabner, from Brevard County, has organized an incredible three-part public speaking series for families and self-advocates with disabilities to help us prepare for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session .These classes are completely free. Let’s bring our voices together – one voice.

Join Zoom Meeting

Who Are Our Legislators? – Speaker: Duncan DeMarsh, Legislative Aide to Representative Tramont

🗓️ Wednesday, January 22, 2025
🕠 6:00 PM
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Meeting

Nicole Grabner, from Brevard County, has organized an incredible three-part public speaking series for families and self-advocates with disabilities to help us prepare for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session .These classes are completely free. Let’s bring our voices together – one voice.

Join Zoom Meeting

Advocacy 101 – Speakers: Scott Darius & Acadia Jones, Florida Voices for Health

🗓️ Monday , January 20, 2025
🕠 6:30 PM
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Meeting

Nicole Grabner, from Brevard County, has organized an incredible three-part public speaking series for families and self-advocates with disabilities to help us prepare for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session .These classes are completely free. Let’s bring our voices together – one voice.

Join Zoom Meeting

Maternal and Child Health Stakeholder Survey

🗓️ Now through Friday , January 17, 2025
🕠 5:00 PM
🧑🏻‍💻 Online Survey

Every five years, as a part of the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, states are required to complete a comprehensive assessment of the needs, desired outcomes, and system capacity for the MCH populations, including children and youth with special health care needs. The results of this assessment are then used to establish the priorities that will guide the MCH activities for the next five years (2025-2030).

As an MCH stakeholder, we are asking for your input:

  • To improve maternal, child, family, and community health outcomes. 
  • To gain an accurate picture of Florida’s priority health needs for the maternal and child health populations.
  • To inform health needs, understand gaps, and set the agenda for MCH programming.
  • To understand, allocate, and develop available resources and capacity.

Completion of the stakeholder survey assists with updating Florida’s 5 Year MCH Action Plan. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes and must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Take Survey

Medicaid iBudget Waiver Eligibility and Crisis Applications

🗓️ 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:

  • Understand the diagnoses required for APD eligibility
  • Know the factors you are required to prove for each eligibility category.
  • Know how to submit an application to APD, including a crisis application.
Register

Asian Lantern Festival: Into The Night – Sensory Night

🗓️ 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.

  • Reduced guest capacity
  • Dedicated Quiet Zones throughout the festival
  • Modified light & sound intensity for certain displays

Tickets must be purchased online. Limited tickets are available per night.

Learn More
Purchase Tickets

FL SAND Fellows: Working People With Disabilities

🗓️ Tuesday, March 4, 2025
🕠 11:40 AM
🧑🏻‍💻 Webinar

About this presentation: This webinar empowers you to start earning what you’re worth without fear of losing your essential Medicaid services. Presented by the FL SAND Fellows, learn key information about the Working Peoples program and how you can start taking advantage of it immediately.

Attendees may submit questions to drbarnes@usf.edu.

Information & Accommodation: Closed Captioning is provided. If other accommodations are needed please contact event organizer, Denise R. Barnes, MA, FCIC Employment Coordinator at drbarnes@usf.edu or 813-974-1063.

Advance Registration: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Register Here

Shared Learning Group

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.

Register

Shared Learning Group

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.

Register

Shared Learning Group

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.

Register

Shared Learning Group

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.

Register

7th Annual FFLN Summit

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.

Register Now
Agenda

Moms Helping Moms

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!

Sumter County Cheer Clinic

Special Olympics
Tentatively begins January 2025 | Second & Fourth Friday Monthly | Time to be determined | Location to be determined

Contact Julia, Rebecca or Pam to be on the roster or volunteer.

Fantastic Friends Dinner

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.

The Arc of Florida Advocacy Meeting

🗓️ Wednesday, April 2, 2025
🕛 12 Noon
🧑🏻‍💻 Zoom Webinar

Medicaid keeps families together and any cuts would be devastating to the millions of people who rely on it for essential health care and other disability services. It wouldn’t just take away health care, it would take away stability, independence, and the ability for individuals to live life on their terms. Kim Musheno, Senior Director of Medicaid Policy at The Arc of on what The Arc US is doing and how you can help.

Register Today

Focus Group Sign Up – FDDC Needs Assessment

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:

  • Be 18 years old or older, and be a person with I/DD, living in Florida OR
  • Be 18 years old or older and be the caregiver of a person with I/DD who lives in Florida.
Take Survey

    If you have a question for, or would like to offer a suggestion to, our webmaster please submit an inquiry using the form below.

    This form uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your data is processed.

      If you have a question for, or would like to offer a suggestion to, the AFINS staff please submit an inquiry using the form below.

      This form uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your data is processed.