HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-024RESOLUTION NO. 04-24
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF FAIR AND EQUITABLE
RATES FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
SERVICES FOR THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
W-~EREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida, has made the following determinations:
1. The Florida Department of Children and Families
Developmental Disabilities Program Office has announced that it
will reduce reimbursement rates offered to agencies that provide
residential and adult day training services for those with
developmental disabilities beginning November 1, 2003.
2. The proposed cuts represent a 14.3% reduction in
Residential Habilitation which are group homes, and a 7% reduction
in Live Residential Habitation.
3. The cut in Residential Habilitation will impact homes for
persons in local communities, many times operated by not-for-profit
agencies, and will displace some of our most vulnerable citizens
and force lay-offs in almost every community across the State of
Florida.
4. At the same time the Department states that it hopes to
increase the quality of services to individuals with developmental
disabilities, it has cut the overall direct care staff wage to
$7.33 per hour.
5. A 9.5% reduction in Adult Day Training Services represents
a threat to the very fabric of some of our families' lives.
6. Working families who desire to keep their family members
at home, need Adult Day Training services to provide meaningful day
activities for their family members while they are at work.
7. Although seeking work in the competitive job market is a
viable alternative for many individuals with developmental
disabilities, the current structure, availability of technology and
funding is not adequate to place many individuals in the
competitive labor market.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board is an advocate for people with developmental
disabilities and fears for the future viability of operating
programs and homes with inadequate rates.
2. The Board of County Commissioners hereby supports the
establishment of fair and equitable rates for developmental
disability services.
3. This Board urges the Department of Children and Families
to find solutions to the rate structure crisis.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 6th day of January, 2004.
ATTESTED: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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