Developmental Disabilities

Florida Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) assists people who have developmental disabilities and their families. It also provides assistance to identify the needs of people with developmental disabilities and funding to purchase supports and services. Although the Central Office is in Tallahassee, the supports and services for people with developmental disabilities are provided through district offices throughout the state.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

APD contracts with a private company to conduct quality assurance and monitoring activities. This company is the Delmarva Foundation, a private organization that performs the on-site monitoring functions, including health and safety compliance. Direct any health and safety concerns to either the Delmarva Foundation or to the APD district office nearest you.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) requires that Developmental Service Institutions and other contracted agencies be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF requires an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

The Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation administers programs for workers with developmental disabilities, including a Supported Employment Services program. This program serves people with the most severe disabilities by using job coaching and continuing follow-up to assure that the ongoing support needs of the individual are being met.

Sheltered Employment

Adult day training services are administered at four Developmental Service Institutions (DSIs) which are staffed by state employees and through contracts with profit and non-profit community based agencies. Day training programs are intended to support the participation of beneficiaries in daily, valued routines of the community. This may include work-like settings that do not meet the definition of supported employment. The following two DSIs provide sheltered employment settings:

Competitive Employment

The Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) jointly administer programs for workers with developmental disabilities, including a Supported Employment Services program. The DVR is responsible for job development and placement and APD provides follow-up services and support.

The DVR requires that Developmental Service Institutions and other contracted agencies be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF requires an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

Health and Safety

Private or public employers may also contact the APD district office to obtain technical assistance and training on health and safety issues.

Florida's private sector employers can request a free health and safety evaluation from the University of South Florida's (USF) Safety Florida Consultation Program. Funded by the State of Florida and OSHA, USF SafetyFlorida is a program of the USF College of Public Health. USF SafetyFlorida consultants can help an employer be in compliance with OSHA safety standards, lower costs for workers' compensation, and decrease the number of days employees lose to illness and injury. Public sector employers should contact the Florida Partnership for Safety and Health (FPSH).

People with developmental disabilities working in competitive employment for a Florida private sector employer are protected by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

There are two ways to report suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Either fax a written report with your name and contact telephone or use the fax form found in PDF format on the Florida Abuse Hotline website.

When reporting abuse or neglect in Florida, be prepared to provide the following information: 1. Victim name, address or location, approximate age, race and sex; 2. Physical, mental or behavioral indications that the person is infirm or disabled; 3. Signs or indications of harm or injury, including a physical description if possible; 4. Relationship of the alleged possible responsible person to the victim. If the relationship is unknown, a report will still be taken if other reporting criteria are met.

Protection and Advocacy

CHAMPS (Citizens Helping Assess, Maintain and Provide Supports) is an informal network of friends, families, coworkers, acquaintances or others that help individuals with developmental disabilities live safe, healthy, and self-sufficient lives in their communities.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council encourages and advocates opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities.

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities is a statewide agency that provides information and referral, legal services, and advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities.