Florida Continues To Improve Opportunities For Persons With Disabilities
Applauds initiatives benefiting persons with disabilities during PARC visit.
Governor Charlie Crist today visited the PARC facility in St. Petersburg.
PARC is a non-profit organization committed to providing opportunity for youth and adults with disabilities.
Governor Crist toured the facility, met with participants, and reiterated his dedication to working with persons with disabilities, their families and advocates to continue making Florida a state that embraces equality and opportunity for all citizens.
“Since I have been a public servant, it has been a strong priority to increase opportunities for persons with disabilities to live independently and achieve their dreams,” said Governor Crist. “Together, we will ensure the future for Floridians with disabilities and their families is bright.”
Governor Crist applauded PARC for its status as the largest social services agency in the Tampa Bay area. Founded in 1953 by Edythe Ibold, mother of a child with developmental disabilities, who recognized the need for services catered specifically to children and adults with disabilities.
At the time, no such organization or facility existed in Pinellas County. Currently, PARC offers over 40 specialty services for more than 800 children and adults with disabilities, while also advocating for disability-related issues.
Earlier this year, Governor Crist signed crucial measures for Floridians with disabilities, including Senate Bill 1166 and House Bills 7069 and 1073.
Senate Bill 1166 increases residential opportunities and choice for persons with developmental disabilities, while House Bill 7069 requires employees to pass both a state and federal fingerprint screening, equivalent to a level 2 background check, before beginning work with elderly, children and persons with disabilities in certain care settings.
New and enhanced background screening procedures for individuals who work with vulnerable Floridians, such as children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities went into effect with House Bill 1073 to protect vulnerable Floridians including persons with disabilities.
Since taking office, Governor Crist has made it a priority of his administration to pursue initiatives that would improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities.
That is why in July 2007, on the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), he signed Executive Order 07-148, creating the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities.
In response to the staggering increase in autism diagnosis in Florida, the Governor also created the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2008, a 22-member panel directed with advocacy efforts for children, parents and families.
Both panels are charged with advancing public policy for affected Floridians and providing a forum for advocates representing the disabilities community to develop and voice unified concerns and recommendations for improvements.
In 2008, Governor Crist also supported and recommended a pilot program to provide dental services to community-based consumers which the Legislature funded for two fiscal years. The program provides services for up to 400 patients.
That same year, he signed legislation increasing health insurance benefits for autism and developmental disabilities therapies, known as the “Window of Opportunity Act.” As of April 2009, the milestone legislation requires group health insurance policies to cover screening and therapies for autism and coverage cannot be denied due to the diagnosis of a developmental disability.
Continuing his effort to encourage independence for persons with disabilities, Governor Crist supported a 2009 savings plan initiative, modeled after the Florida Prepaid College Plans, to allow parents of children with disabilities to establish an investment account to later use during the their child’s high school to workforce transition.
He also signed legislation creating the specialty license plate, “Support Autism Programs,” designed to fund several non-profit grants for service providers who want to serve people with autism and related disabilities.
For more information regarding the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, please visit http://dms.myflorida.com/other_programs/governor_s_commission_on_disabilities.
Topics: 2010, abandonment, abuse, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Annual Family Cae Conference, autism, children, disability, equality, Executive Order 07-148, exploitation, Florida, Florida Prepaid College Plans, Governance, government, Governor Charlie Crist, House Bill 1073, House Bill 1188, House Bill 7069, moniter, monitor, neglect, news, opportunity, PARC, persons with disabilities, Senate Bill 1166, society, St. Petersburg, Support Autism Programs, U.S., United States, Window of Opportunity Act, youth
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