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Maria Zamora Idea for the CDC Plus Tiers
Hello elda, I want to explain you the following thing based on
the excesion is owed exoneracion waiver florida, I medicated, medicaid 1115 to expand the project directed by the consumer
and to become the program consumer directed bonus. In the 2000 CDC I begin with the eligible people for medicaid and
other disabled beneficiaries have greater control on their own care permitting them to hire workers, including members of
the family and giving the flexibility of making decisions Own on the quality of cares that better they be accommodated to
their needs and to participate in the program of the cdc alone the consumers tenian that to be incritos in one of these three
programs, of exoneracion waiver I medicated,. medicaid, and medicaid weiver. When salio the situacion of the pca for
less than 21 Years that was responsibility of the medicaid under the clients that are smaller but that be not enrolados
in cdc + but the smaller clients that are in the participacion of the cdc not the services can eliminate him because this
program under the exoneracion weiver can work with the same law of the program since the experiment since not itself Changing
the statutes of law based on that is a program of apd cdc + by apd. Since the alone not foreign exchange federal law
if to stopped existing for the three agencies. the program of the cdc and this program has been an exito for elder affairs
for I medicated medicaid and weiver since is adjusted to the reform of the medicaid with that idea I am forged and has represented
a savings to the state and has offered support indibidualizado to each consumer based on improving and condicion and incapacity,
and the tier apply to this program and the adjustment of services can be done and alone cost that one must be in the cdc +
and with the cuts for itself adjusted the exoneracion has to exist so that the clients by participating lose not the less
than 18 anuses the services of the medicaid of the social one security and other services by different local agencies that
was Idea does 8anos not recarcar to the agency of apd. to the deficit that presents in the management of the budget and services
that are indibidualizado for each consumer.. Thanks elda by this support and to serve of traducion truly I feel very
worried, because for time I have been explaining and fighting that there is not razon of changing the model of the cdc + and
that the not to know is what today enfretamos the ignorance of the law of the cdc, the tests for apd when us bag of the project
of elder affairs and exigio its consumers does 3anos there we are enfretados not positive changes for the consumers and the
flexibility in escojer its services and needs the codigos in certain need changed since I have kept for all these anuses as
the platform of the program has been changed the codificacion does not leave you acesar although do saving I do not believe
that this never was the idea, and sadness gives me because the benefits that has achieved in my son by this program the alone
mothers as I never podrian to achieve what I have managed to do with my son and to give him therapies that alone you are able
acesar with money for the ninos with autism and accommodations that the weiver controlled never my son to have had and that
alone backup has been offered it the cdc + I expect understand all my espanol and can explain all this and together we are
going to be The difference and absolutely is for the best interes than is the consumer. sincerely
Mrs. Maria Zamora.
Enter subhead content here
The individualizacion in each individual and their needs. upon applying the tier. to different
levels of consumers and cost to created the discrepancies of the same and the best interes of each consumer. due to that each
tier should consider law an excesion and this upon reaching of the consumer to asesar when its condicion require it medicamente
necessary and of emergency of intense behavior and that require of another level in the cost. since prondriamos to the consumer
in the risk and the limitacion of acesar to another level of tier the age of the consumer cannot be utilized in situations
of intensive behavior since situations of crisis based on behaviors do not have the request of ages. each tier 4 tier 3 tier2
excluding of the excesion of the limit tier 1el remainder should have excesiones Being able to work indibidualizar the condicion
medicamente necessary and of intensive.low behaviors the different levels of tier. haci the excess of demands was avoided
and the irrigation of the instability of the consumer.tambien the suggestions to utilize the program of the CDC + as an acomodacion
that is adjusted to indibidualizar to each consumer in its condicion and different I diagnose and conditions of behaviors.
and services inside the community, this program of the CDC + needs to expand it other consumers but with the control of the
support to the the capacitacion of ensenanza to the management of the budget assigned with the know-how abquiridos with the
facility to the consumer of indibidualizar, the condicion and to establish the quality of life, upon having the control of
their services and budgets, but before APD CDC + has to prepare conditions of implementing in all the districts of the florida
capacitacion to all the agencies of independent organizers. be certified to be they consult and Elecion if they desire to
participate or not in the program or if they desire cojer clients of the cdc + consult Them with new consumers entering to
his charge the training to the representative is of 3 months monitorinado and coached that capacitacion, and to test that
the representative this prepared to carry the control of the CDC + for that consumer. The district tambien podria to
create independent agencies solamentes of consult for the CDC + and to have greater control on the program and their consumers,
participating. each district owes of escojer voluntary qualified and coached, that desire to give him support and knowledge
to the new representatives of consumers in the CDC + and that the volunteers serve of bridge to give informacion and to explain
the parents and current representatives of consumers of the weiver the benefits that offers the CDC + to the consumers and
to open the program to the community to increase a savings to the budget of the weiver current and to reduce and to win budget
based on the savings that represents each consumer that participates in the CDC + that the volunteers, they support that consumer
and representatives for do plans and to handle services, they share in common the same conditions of I diagnose since Each
consumer is indidual but its illnesses and I diagnose in its condicion they are the same and the experience abquirida is based
on an I diagnose and the services and accommodations in different situations are the same and the key this in which the budget
and the management of the same one. work itself to do a stability in the condicion of the consumer and its family and to offer
him the quality of life. The family care of each district has to have volunteers of the CDC + with the experience based
on the different conditions that one must qualify in the weiver, the experience in carrying out the plan this in that detail
and in the therapies services know-how and aceso to programs out of the weiver has to be a support to the program and its
rise. of expanding it but with the security and the , Of the knowledge of the management and the implementacion annual of
the plan with different designed goals to re-establish the mejoria of the condicion and the inclusion to this community upon
improving and indibidualizar the quality of life of the consumer. Elda aqui I send you some of my suggestions, if you
desire something but or to share some question leave me to know you know that they include my support for the CDC + but it
but important for my is to improve the quality of life of each consumer. Sincerely Mrs.Maria Zamora.
Governor and Lt. Governor Visit APD Governor Announces Autism Task Force APD participates in DD
Day Budget Update CDC+ Sees Big Changes 2007-08 Graduating Class of Area Quality Leaders Commission on Disabilities Wanted:
Real Life Disaster Story Welcome to The Champion By Jane Johnson This is the first edition of the Agency for Persons with
Disabilities newsletter, The Champion. This newsletter will help us keep stakeholders and employees informed of the many agency
activities occurring throughout the state. The name comes from APD's role as a champion for people with disabilities.
We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter. If you have suggestions or submissions for The Champion, please contact the APD
Communications Office. Clicking on most photos will open a larger version. Governor and Lt. Governor Visit APD Governor Charlie
Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp stopped by the agency's headquarters on March 20 to meet employees and learn more
about the agency. Director Jane Johnson greeted them at the front door and escorted them throughout the building. Crist and
Kottkamp walked into employees' offices and introduced themselves, and asked about what each individual does for the agency.
The two men were extremely interested in the work of the agency and the contributions of the employees. Community Improvement
Deputy Chief Terri McGarrity told them, "We love what we do." The Governor and Lt. Governor were impressed when
told about the dedication of APD employees when it was decided to bring the Consumer Directed Care Plus program in-house,
requiring extra hours at night and on weekends. Florida's top executives spent some special time talking with APD employees
Abby Garton and Matt LaFollette. Governor Crist gave each one his personal business card. This was the first time a Governor
and Lt. Governor made a joint visit to APD and took the time to talk individually with employees. The employees were extremely
heartened by the visit. Governor Announces Autism Task Force The rising number of people being diagnosed with autism has caught
the attention of Florida Governor Charlie Crist. On March 7, Governor Crist announced the formation of a task force to look
at the issues surrounding autism. Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Jane Johnson will co-chair the task force,
along with former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. Governor Crist said he knows many families affected by autism. He
wants the task force to explore all aspects of the disability such as causes, treatments, insurance, and state services..
APD Director Johnson also spoke at the news conference, applauding the Governor for taking such a bold step to address this
epidemic. Johnson's nephew had a mild form of autism so she knows firsthand how it impacts families. The first meeting
of the task force is April 2 and 3 in Tallahassee. The group will have a year to gather information on the issue and submit
a report to the Governor. The report will include recommendations to help address issues related to autism. APD participates
in DD Day Governor Charlie Crist designated March 18 as DD Day in Tallahassee. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp read the resolution
to the audience of about 100 people gathered at the Capitol to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. APD Director
Jane Johnson joined Lt. Governor Kottkamp at the podium. Kottkamp said that this administration is committed to assisting
people with disabilities. He complimented Director Johnson for turning APD around and reducing its deficit in the developmental
disabilities Medicaid waiver from $153 million to $ 9 million in less than 12 months. Kottkamp also praised her dedication
to people with disabilities. Director Johnson acknowledged that APD has made many changes to bring the waiver deficit down
and that was difficult for all involved. Johnson said the discussion of the issues over the past months have led to greater
awareness in the community of people with developmental disabilities. Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) and Representative
Curtis Richardson (D-Tallahassee) attended the event. Senator Galvano also complimented APD for its good work. He encouraged
the participants to make sure state lawmakers heard from them on a regular basis. Rep. Richardson told the crowd about a proposed
bill to increase a license tag fee from $1.50 to $3 to go toward the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund, and another
bill to create Disability History weeks in early October, when schools would be required to teach students about disability
issues. Budget Update The Florida Legislature is working on agency budgets. In the Senate budget, $1.05 billion is recommended
for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The House version has $1.13 billion for APD - a difference of roughly $80 million.
The primary differences are the amount of an across-the-board reduction in both budgets and the House picking up $54 million
to replace nonrecurring funding from this fiscal year (2007-08). The most controversial reductions probably will be a 3 percent
provider rate reduction in the House and a 5.5 percent reduction the Senate for $23 million and $43 million respectively.
The agency is concerned about the impact this may have on service availability and quality, particularly at the Senate-recommended
level. Governor Charlie Crist is not recommending any cuts in services for the agency. His budget recommendation provides
APD with $1.2 billion, which is a 1 percent increase from this fiscal year. CDC+ Sees Big Changes In March, the Agency for
Persons with Disabilities took over as the fiscal intermediary for the Consumer Directed Care Plus program. CDC+ has had four
private companies to serve in this role, and APD felt service to customers could be improved if taken over in-house. After
many countless hours by APD employees, including at night and over the weekends, the first payroll flowed smoothly. CDC+ consumers
are glowing about the responsive customer service. "Kudos to you and your exceptional staff for a truly seamless transition
and for the care and compassion you show to the individuals you serve." -Lynne Lazar, Parent Waiver Support Coordinator
Amy Bokelmann of Caring Connection in South Florida wrote the following to CDC+ Administrator Sherry Jackson, "I have
heard nothing but positive things said since APD has taken over as fiscal agent. Of all the fiscal agents we have had this
has been the smoothest transition so far. I have 13 CDC consumers and so believe me when I tell you everyone, including myself,
was dreading another change. However we were all wrong!! The transition has been amazing and all I hear is positive things
said, and we are all very impressed with the job APD is doing. So thank you for all you are doing." APD Director Jane
Johnson received the following e-mail from parent Lynne Lazar, "As the representative for my daughter, I would like to
compliment you on how well the CDC+ Program is being administered by APD. This is an excellent program and it is my hope that
it will continue. Kudos to you and your exceptional staff for a truly seamless transition and for the care and compassion
you show to the individuals you serve. I would like to give a special thanks to Wilma Lefler who has been my "go to person"
for any questions and problems I had previously encountered. She is a very special person." The federal Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved Florida's application to move the CDC+ program to a permanent state plan
Medicaid option under 1915(j) authority. The Agency for Health Care Administration, the lead agency for the CDC+ program,
worked closely with APD in developing the application for the 1915(j) to ensure that the new, permanent program would be nearly
identical to the current CDC+ program, which was authorized under 1115 Demonstration Waiver authority as a pilot program.
One of the few major changes under the new program will be enhancement of quality assurance monitoring. The 1915(j) authorizes
only the current number of participants. 2007-08 Graduating Class of Area Quality Leaders By Ed Rousseau The Agency for Persons
with Disabilities received a Real Choice Systems Change Grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2004
to establish Area Quality Leaders (AQL) in each area. Please join us in congratulating the 2007-08 class of AQLs. These 10
individuals have successfully completed the requirements established by the Council on Quality and Leadership to be certified
as Area Quality Leaders through their Leadership Academy. 2007 Area Quality Leaders AQL Mentors Patricia Williams - Area 1
Steve Dunaway Gisela Fisher - Area 1 Vernita Hughes Synester Rollins - Area 3 Ed Rousseau Kerrie Wimberly - Area 4 Bonnie
Florom Sandra Mills - Area 12 Deb Blizzard David Gillis - Area 10 Terry Mothershed Todd Ryan - Area 8 Sherndina Moreland Brad
Graske - Area 15 Heather Monteath - Area 14 Ed Rousseau - Central Office A total of 34 individuals have been certified as
AQLs since the CMS grant. Today, 25 of these staff remain active as AQLs. The goals and objectives of the AQL are to assist
with organizational change by establishing capacity in each area to provide a more person-directed service delivery system.
The intended result is increased achievement of outcomes for people. The AQLs work with providers, individuals with disabilities,
and family members to overcome barriers to person-directed outcomes. They work in all aspects of our quality management system
including fraud and recoupment, provider termination, and pre-service training, and they provide education, consultation,
and assistance to providers, consumers, their families, and other local stakeholders related to self-determination and customer
satisfaction. APD is grateful to all those who participated in supporting this endeavor, and wants to acknowledge the support
of our Area Administrators, especially in Areas 3, 4, and 10, for their commitment to the sustainability of the AQL certification
training by offering their existing AQL staff to serve as mentors. The Mission Statement of this "007"class: "Uniting
the community to empower people in achieving their dreams" Commission on Disabilities Governor Charlie Crist signed an
executive order creating the Governor's Commission on Disabilities in July 2007. The Governor is looking to the commission
to make a positive impact on behalf of citizens with disabilities of all kinds. The commission is charged with ensuring equal
access to education, employment, transportation, housing, and information regarding resources and services. The commission
is a conduit to advance public policy, providing a forum for advocates to voice unified concerns and recommendations for improvements.
The Governor appointed APD Director Jane Johnson to represent the agency on the 21-member board. She has taken an active role
by attending the commission's quarterly meetings and serving on its Independent Living Committee. The commission will
submit its report to the Governor on July 1. Wanted: Real Life Disaster Story The Florida Department of Health is putting
together a videotape to increase disability awareness among healthcare professionals in Florida. They are asking for Case
Managers, Social Workers, and others involved in assisting people with disabilities to submit a summary of a challenging,
real-life account that one of their clients or patients faced during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tornado, or
wildfire. If your story is selected for inclusion, you will win $100 and your client or patient will receive $200 for their
videotaped account! Applications must be received by the Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Jacksonville
no later than April 11, 2008 Selected interviewees will be announced April 21, 2008 Interviews will take place between April
28 and May 9, 2008 For more information, click on this link: http://apd.myflorida.com/disaster/disability-disaster-contest-guidelines.pdf
Around the State Director Johnson Visits Wildwood By Brenda Stevens On February 2, the Area 13 Family Care Council held its
annual Family Forum 2008 for Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties at the Wildwood Community Center. The highlight
of the forum was the keynote speaker, APD Director Jane Johnson. Director Johnson gave an update on the current changes and
the direction of the agency. She was very poignant and honest in her presentation for budget neutrality and her hope for the
success of the agency in the future. Along with the keynote speaker, there were five breakout sessions at the forum. About
150 people from the community, along with employees from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, were in attendance. Also,
21 Medicaid Waiver Providers and Support Coordinators had display tables with their company information on the services they
provide for persons with disabilities. Citizen of the Year By James V. Vidrine, Fort Myers Office, with information from the
Fort Myers News-Press Carolyn Codie, a Fort Myers Area 8 APD customer, received the local Good Wheels Citizen of the Year
award on March 24. Codie has worked at the Fort Myers Wal-Mart McDonald's restaurant since the summer of 2003. Deana Homsi,
the owner and operator of this McDonald's, states proudly that Carolyn is "our Ambassador of Hospitality". Homsi
noted that, "Carolyn is excited to come to work. She greets all the employees and customers, and she is punctual and
dependable! Carolyn is responsible for maintaining the lobby, sweeping, washing tables, and assuring condiments and other
supplies are full and available to her customers." Judy Peek, an employment consultant for the Lee County Association
for Retarded Citizens (LARC), has known Carolyn for the past 10 years and helped her get employed at McDonalds. Peek said
Carolyn loves working and does a good job. Lisa Cronin Miller, the Director of Community Relations at LARC, said that many
parents of young adults with disabilities spend a lot of time wondering about their children's future. Lisa feels Carolyn's
success is very powerful, and gives hope for employment success to many persons. She is proud that her agency can provide
the training, job development, and supervision that support individuals like Carolyn. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities
proudly congratulates Carolyn for her continuing success and personal growth! We also heartily appreciate our community providers
like LARC that significantly contribute to the success of employment for persons with disabilities in our community. Reaching
Out To Businesses By Kerry Kahn, APD Area 3-Gainesville The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Gainesville Business
Leadership Network, along with several other organizations, sponsored a free seminar and job fair on February 28, at Santa
Fe Community College. The seminar, Turning Diversity into Dollars, was directed at local businesses to promote the inclusion
of persons with disabilities in the workforce. Presenters were Corporate Consultant for Florida Vocational Rehabilitation
Eladio Amores, Joan Altavilla with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Leslie Wilson of Wilson Resources, Inc. The speakers discussed
topics related to employees with disabilities ranging from legal issues and benefits to low-cost accommodations and tax incentives.
The seminar attracted representatives from many local businesses including SunTrust Bank, the Alachua County School Board,
and Gainesville Regional Airport. The job fair followed the seminar. Local businesses and job seekers were encouraged to attend.
The Business Leadership Network is a national program that promotes peer mentoring between businesses on the untapped workforce
of persons with disabilities. Business Leadership Network chapters are located throughout Florida. Information on the BLNs
can be found at http://www.abletrust.org/fbln/index.shtml. McGarrity Visits Daytona Beach On February 7, Deputy Chief of Community
Development Terri McGarrity visited the Daytona Beach area and spoke at the Family Care Council Open House. She provided an
update on the agency. Families and providers were in attendance and appreciated her visit. Davis Award Winners The Agency
for Persons with Disabilities won seven Davis Productivity Awards this year. The awards are selected and presented by Florida
Tax Watch for saving state money or avoiding costs. Gulf Coast Center won three Davis Productivity Awards Engineered Plumbing
Repair - Certificate of Commendation Jim Stover performs plumbing work at Gulf Coast Center. A leak developed in a large water
pipe in the ceiling that feeds hot water to the laundry. A vendor was called and the quote was $4,268.76. Stover came up with
the idea to drill into the pipe and insert a $2 pipe plug to stop the leak. He came in early and completed the repair in less
than 3 hours, resulting in no lost time for the laundry. The state avoided spending $4,219.73. Reduced Pager Cost - Certificate
of Commendation The Information System Team researched available plans for beeper/pager service and reduced the monthly per-unit
cost from a high of $21.90 down to $1.95 and eliminated additional fees that were no longer necessary. Total annual cost reduction
is $11,554. Margaret Daidone Jerry Graham Merged Three Redundant Documents into One Comprehensive Document - Plaque The team
developed and implemented a merged document that captures the intent of service, transition, and discharge planning into one
comprehensive document rather than have three documents and meetings for each. Estimated added value is $42,220. Cindy Millican
Angela Giffin Jim McCallion Sandy Asimakopoulos April Dote Chip Hensgen Carol Lingenfelter Kevin Kirgan Suzanne Chillari Norma
Blake Jo Hedges Debbie Dodge Tacachale Center of Gainesville won two Davis Productivity Awards Tacachale Medication Occurrence
Team - Plaque This six-member team has achieved a reduction in the number of medication errors to reduce risk to clients and
to avoid unnecessary medical care costs. This effort resulted in reducing the number of errors by 57 percent and a decline
in potential cost of at least 32 percent from fiscal year 05-06. This produced a cost avoidance achievement of as much as
$1,081,000. Carolyn Munroe Keminia Haines Pearle Mott Michele Cullen Holli Rutledge Trish King Sharing Training Resources
- Certificate of Commendation Tacachale's staff development team provides resources to other state departments. Whenever
Tacachale staff does not utilize all training rooms, the space is offered to others for efficient use of the training building.
In the past year, Tacachale facilities were used by the APD Area 3 Office, the Department of Children and Families, and the
Partnership for Strong Families. The four-member team offered the use of Tacachale's staff development space and provided
in-house CPR training, saving the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and other state agencies an estimated$19,560. Vicki
Willet Diane Jackson Michael Costello Michael Holloway Area 13 - Wildwood Won One Award Group Home Form - Certificate of Commendation
Patricia Morse, a Group Home Monitor with APD Area 13, saw a need and took the initiative to create various forms and a disaster
sample, to improve health and safety issues for our group homes. Area 13 monitors 128 homes and 575 residents. These forms
not only achieved improved documentation for quality health care, they benefited individuals who frequently cannot speak for
themselves. Morse also created a sample Disaster Plan and Emergency Contact List. Approximately 70 homes now have quality
disaster plans due to her efforts and they use the other forms she created. Sunland Center in Marianna Won One Award Unused
Phone Lines - Certificate of Commendation Leontyne Clay reviewed Sunland's phone bills and discovered that 19 phone lines
were not being used. This resulted in the phone lines being disconnected and a monetary savings of $3,623.49. OPPAGA Review
The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) recently did a review of the agency's new
assessment process. Visit the link below to read the report. Be sure to read the agency's response beginning on page 10.
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/pdf/0815rpt.pdf Champion Staff Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor Jeff Saulich - Photo Editor
Chad Pickett - Web Development Lloyd Harger - Web DevelopmentEmail Address: Subscribe Unsubscribe The Agency Supports Persons
with Developmental Disabilities in Living, Learning and Working in their Community. www.apdcares.org
CDC+ > UpdateCDC+ December, 2007 UpdateAs
you are probably aware, the CDC+ program has been operating for the past six years under a demonstration waiver, referred
to by the federal Medicaid agency (CMS) as an "1115 Waiver." During this time, the CDC+ program has provided: - A high level of participant satisfaction
- $7.6 million in savings compared
to traditional services
Because of the program's success and cost-savings, the
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is in the final stages of applying to CMS to make the CDC+ waiver permanent under
1915(j) provisions, and the application is expected to be approved. Under the new waiver, enrollment will remain capped at
the current number of participants. AHCA has worked closely with APD to ensure that consumers
will notice few changes when the program transitions to a permanent waiver. One change you will see will be additional quality
assurance monitoring and ongoing quality improvement measures. Another provision that
will impact consumers is a change in how Fiscal Employer Agent/Administrative fees are collected. As a permanent waiver, it
requires the fees to be paid directly by APD, in contrast to the current procedure in which the Fiscal Employer Agent collects
a percentage of the monthly budget, plus transaction fees. Once the program shifts to a
permanent waiver in March 2008, fees will no longer be included in your monthly budget. However, APD will retain 4.75 percent
of each consumer's monthly budget to pay the PPL fees directly. Because the budget will no longer include the Fiscal Employer
Agent fees and per-check transaction fees, the impact for many consumers will be neutral. However, those with large waiver
budgets will see some additional dollars going toward fees because there is no cap. As a demonstration waiver, APD set a cap
of $89.99. However, the 4.75 percent fee will include an unlimited number of monthly transactions. The change in fee collection
will take effect March 1, 2008. This Web site will provide specific guidance on incorporating this change into budgets and
purchasing plans in future CDC+ Updates. Personal Care Services for CDC+ Participants
under Age 21 and State Plan Medicaid
We are very pleased to announce that Florida is requesting that Personal
Care Assistance (PCA) services under State Plan Medicaid for children under the age of 21, be "cashed out" and self-directed.
This request is included in the 1915(j) amendment application and will need approval from CMS. Although the rate for PCA is
different under the State Plan, if the application is approved, CDC+ participants will continue to receive their PCA funds
as a component of their monthly CDC+ budget from APD and will retain the freedom to hire employees or agencies, just as under
the current program rules. If approved, this change will permit CDC+ participants under 21 to continue to enjoy the benefits
of consumer direction. Monthly Payroll Processing
PPL reports that
the current payroll is running smoothly and on time. If you do not receive an anticipated payment on time, please contact
PPL Customer Service. Minimum Wage Increase on January 1, 2008
Florida's
minimum wage will change to $6.79 per hour, effective January 1, 2008. If any of your Directed Hired Employees (DHE) are being
paid minimum wage, you must update your purchasing plan to reflect this new rate. Companion service code remains exempt from
paying minimum wage. Timesheet and Fax Receipt
PPL's information
technology staff continues to analyze the fax system and reported problems. Until these problems are solved, there are some
steps that can be taken to help ensure fax receipt. First, please be sure not to use photocopies of photocopies of timesheets
and invoices. To ensure the most readable document images, please use documents printed directly off of the PPL website, or
forms provided by mail from PPL. If you do use photocopies of documents, please save the original document and make copies
from it, and do not use second generation photocopies. Additionally, some consumers have reported that fax receipt problems
are reduced when they send a single page at a time. APD has requested that PPL submit a written plan to address a variety
of issues including fax receipt problems and incorrect check amounts. We look forward to a prompt resolution. Eliminated and Reduced Services
Effective December 1, 2007, the following services have
been eliminated from the Developmental Disabilities Waiver: Homemaker, Chore, Non-Residential Support Services, Therapeutic
Massage and Assessment, and Psychological Assessment. Additionally, as of January 1, reimbursement rates for PCA will be changing.
Because of the flexibility in the CDC+ program, CDC+ participants are in a position to write job descriptions for providers
existing services that include the duties performed under the services that are being eliminated. However, the dollars associated
with eliminated services will no longer be included in the CDC+ budget, so many consumers will experience a reduction in the
total dollars from APD. The majority of CDC+ participants will need to submit purchasing plans that reflect the changed budget
amounts for an effective date of January 1, 2008. Please continue to check this Web site
for regular updates. Thank you for your participation in the CDC+ program. Sherry Jackson,
M.S.W.
Consumer Directed Care Plus Program Administrator
Agency for Persons with Disabilites
(850) 921-3785
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