What is Advocacy?

Answer: If you suspect that there are some developmental delays for your child, there may be multiple connections for resources. Early Steps provides services to infants and toddlers, age birth – 3 years with developmental disabilities or delays. They help families build on their child’s individual strengths and provide supports to meet the child’s unique needs. Services support children in their communities where they live, learn, and play. There is no income requirement to qualify for the program, and families are not charged for services. Services based on a child’s strengths and needs may include: assistive technology devices, audiology services, behavioral services, family training and home visits, occupational/physical/speech therapy, service coordination, vision services, and other individualized services. Contact them by calling 1-800-218-001 or at the Early Steps Directory 

Pinellas County Schools also provides many resources for parents relating to developmental milestones. These can be accessed by going to the Pinellas County Schools website (link: www.pcsb.org). Click on Departments and Divisions, then click on Early Childhood Education.

For children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other pervasive developmental disorders, The Arc Tampa Bay’s Richard B. Funk Center for Great Expectations offers assessments and individualized therapy in a clinical setting. For more information, please contact: Phone: 727-799-3330 extension 7622

Answer: There is also another organization that could be of assistance, Child Find. This organization offers information and free screening for children (birth – 5 years) who may have difficulty:

✔ Learning

✔ Seeing

✔ Speaking

✔ Walking

✔ Playing

✔ Hearing

They conduct screenings in the areas of communication, motor development, vision, hearing, and school readiness skills for children ages 3-5. In this way, problems may be detected early and a plan can be developed. Child Find assists in placing children with special needs in appropriate exceptional education programs. Additionally, they provide information about programs available in the community for children with special needs. Contact them at 727-793-2731.

Child Find falls under the umbrella of services offered through FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic Learning Resources System). It is a network of state and federally funded centers throughout Florida. Support services are provided to exceptional student educators, children, parents, and community agencies. FDLRS Gulfcoast Associate Center assists any stakeholder interested in the educational needs of exceptional children in Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties. 

Their primary services offered to families are:

✔ Child Find – Early childhood screening and service planning

✔ Parents Services – Training and support to promote partnerships between families and schools

✔ Technology – Instructional, assistive and communication technology support and training

They are located at 2929 County Road 193, Clearwater, FL 33759. They can be reached by calling 727-793-2723. You can also connect with them through Pinellas County Schools using www.pcsb.org. 

Pinellas County Schools coordinates services with Child Find and FDLRS Gulfcoast to support each other in meeting the needs of our preschool-aged students. To contact the Exceptional Student Education Department, call 727-588-6032.

Answer: Child Find (727-793-2731), Early Steps (1-800-318-0001), FDLRS (727-793-2723), and Pinellas County Schools Exceptional Education Department (727-588-6032) can all assist families with determining the appropriate educational settings for your child. 

Answer: First, consult with your pediatrician and your child’s therapists to determine exactly what therapeutic services are being recommended. Then call the phone number listed on your child’s health insurance card and ask about coverage for these services. Most insurances in Florida are required to cover autism spectrum disorder and Down Syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis. 

The state of Florida has a specific autism mandate, which requires certain insurers to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder. The mandate requires health insurance plans to provide coverage to an eligible individual for:

1. 1Well-baby and well-child screening for diagnosing the presence of autism spectrum disorder
2. The treatment of autism spectrum disorder through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis services.

Coverage for services shall be limited to $36,000 annually and may not exceed $200,000 in total lifetime benefits for an individual under 18 years of age or an individual 18 years of age or older who is in high school who has been diagnosed as having a developmental disability at 8 years of age or younger.

Related services are available to children to help them achieve their educational goals. These “related services” refer to transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. For more information regarding related services as outlined in section 300.34(a) of Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 300.43 (a)) and Section 602(26) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), refer to the Florida Department of Education’s website.

If your insurance does not cover the necessary therapies, check with Children’s Medical Services through the Florida Department of Health. 

Answer: Most children are not eligible for the traditional Social Security benefits such as retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Those benefits require a work history. However, if a parent is drawing a Social Security check due to retirement or disability this can trigger a check for a minor child or a child of any age with a significant disability. There is another program administered by the Social Security Administration that is not based on an established work history. This program is for the elderly or disabled and is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a welfare-based program that provides a monthly check to individuals that qualify by either age or disability as well as financially. For disabled children under the age of 18, the finances of the household parents are counted against the child in determining SSI eligibility, but this stops when the child reaches age 18. For disabled minors under age 18, SSI may still be available if the parents’ income and resources are under certain thresholds. SSI is a monthly check and also comes with Medicaid for medical expenses. For more information visit the SSA website. 

Answer: These two scholarship programs offer parents multiple options for their child. Florida’s John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program was enacted and launched in 1999, making it the nation’s first school voucher program for students with special needs to attend private or other public schools. It is a K-12 school choice scholarship where families may choose a public school or a private school with parents providing transportation. To be eligible to receive a McKay Scholarship, a student must: Have an active 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP) which documents a disability, be at least 5 years old and younger than 22 by September 1 of the scholarship year, and be a current Florida public school student. Gifted only students are not eligible, and temporary 504 plans are not eligible as well.

To apply for an intent for a McKay Scholarship, go to the Florida School Choice website. Under the K-12 Scholarship Programs, select McKay Scholarship, then select Parents and select Apply for a McKay Scholarship. The family will receive an email with a confirmation number that is used to log in and check the intents status. After filing an intent, the State allots 30 days for eligibility determination.

A McKay Scholarship may expire unless the family is actively using the McKay at a private school or as a public school choice option. McKay will expire at the end of the school year when intent was filed if not actively using.

To implement a family’s choice of school, there are two options for McKay Scholarships. If choosing a private school, the family will work with the school that they have chosen. If choosing a public school, call 588-5090 to start the in-house paperwork for the school. This process could take up to three weeks.

The Gardiner Scholarship Program provides eligible students a scholarship that can be used to purchase approved services or products in order to design a customized educational program for the student. Scholarships can be used for specialized services such as speech or occupational therapy, instructional materials, tuition at an eligible private school, contributions to a college prepaid account and more. The program is directly administered by state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organizations. It is important to note that Gardiner students cannot be enrolled in public school to be eligible.

The website for the Gardiner Scholarship program is locate at stepupforstudents.org. Information about both scholarship programs can be found on the Florida Department of Education website under the school choice section.

Answer: Visit the Pinellas County Schools website, select Departments and Divisions and then select Pinellas County Schools Exceptional Education Department for additional resources with active links to multiple community resources for families. This comprehensive list includes titles, descriptions of services, and active links to their websites.

Additionally, the Pinellas Interagency Networking Council for Students (PINCS) was created to support and enhance coordination of services and supports for students with disabilities, and to assist students and their parents in accessing these services. PINCS serves as a catalyst for community resource development while pairing a student’s needs and interests with appropriate agencies. They have developed a comprehensive guide with detailed information regarding community-based services available to students and their families in Pinellas County. This Virtual Resource Guide is available on the PINCS website. 

Answer: The process for enrollment considers multiple things beginning with your address which indicates your “zoned” school. If your child has been identified with special needs, Pinellas County Schools can assist you in identifying schools with matching resources to fit your child’s needs. The Exceptional Student Education Department can be reached by calling 727-588-6032. 

Answer: Once the determination has been made as to which school your child will attend, assistance for the development of your child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) is a collaborative process between parents and your child’s teacher/s. As a parent, you can request a meeting of the IEP team to talk about goals, measures, and services for your child. You should contact the school when you are ready to do this.

Parents of students with an existing IEP who are new to Pinellas County Schools should contact the PCS ESE Student Transfer Team at the Largo Administration Building (727-588-5128). Staff will verify IEP information to provide comparable services. Once verified, a student reservation will be confirmed to the appropriate school. Parents will then provide required documentation to the school upon registration.

Answer: This area of support falls under the umbrella of the Pinellas County Schools Exceptional Education Department. The coordinator of these services is Maureen Kasa who can be reached at 727-725-7982, extension 2006. Additionally, you may also contact FDLRS at 727-793-2723 which can also work with families to secure communication assistive technologies is needed.

Answer: Most children are not eligible for the traditional Social Security benefits such as retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Those benefits require a work history. However, if a parent is drawing a Social Security check due to retirement or disability this can trigger a check for a minor child or a child of any age with a significant disability. There is another program administered by the Social Security Administration that is not based on an established work history. This program is for the elderly or disabled and is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a welfare-based program that provides a monthly check to individuals that qualify by either age or disability as well as financially. For disabled children under the age of 18, the finances of the household parents are counted against the child in determining SSI eligibility, but this stops when the child reaches age 18. For disabled minors under age 18, SSI may still be available if the parents’ income and resources are under certain thresholds. SSI is a monthly check and also comes with Medicaid for medical expenses. For more information visit the SSA website. 

Answer: These two scholarship programs offer parents multiple options for their child. Florida’s John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program was enacted and launched in 1999, making it the nation’s first school voucher program for students with special needs to attend private or other public schools. It is a K-12 school choice scholarship where families may choose a public school or a private school with parents providing transportation. To be eligible to receive a McKay Scholarship, a student must: Have an active 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP) which documents a disability, be at least 5 years old and younger than 22 by September 1 of the scholarship year, and be a current Florida public school student. Gifted only students are not eligible, and temporary 504 plans are not eligible as well.

To apply for an intent for a McKay Scholarship, go to the Florida School Choice website (insert hyperlink: http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice). Under the K-12 Scholarship Programs, select McKay Scholarship, then select Parents and select Apply for a McKay Scholarship. The family will receive an email with a confirmation number that is used to log in and check the intents status. After filing an intent, the State allots 30 days for eligibility determination.

A McKay Scholarship may expire unless the family is actively using the McKay at a private school or as a public school choice option. McKay will expire at the end of the school year when intent was filed if not actively using.

To implement a family’s choice of school, there are two options for McKay Scholarships. If choosing a private school, the family will work with the school that they have chosen. If choosing a public school, call 588-5090 to start the in-house paperwork for the school. This process could take up to three weeks.

The Gardiner Scholarship Program provides eligible students a scholarship that can be used to purchase approved services or products in order to design a customized educational program for the student. Scholarships can be used for specialized services such as speech or occupational therapy, instructional materials, tuition at an eligible private school, contributions to a college prepaid account and more. The program is directly administered by state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organizations. It is important to note that Gardiner students cannot be enrolled in public school to be eligible.

The website for the Gardiner Scholarship program is located at stepupforstudents.org Information about both scholarship programs can be found on the Florida Department of Education website school choice section.

Answer: First, consult with your pediatrician and your child’s therapists to determine exactly what therapeutic services are being recommended. Then call the phone number listed on your child’s health insurance card and ask about coverage for these services. Most insurances in Florida are required to cover autism spectrum disorder and Down Syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis.

The state of Florida has a specific autism mandate, which requires certain insurers to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder. The mandate requires health insurance plans to provide coverage to an eligible individual for:

1. Well-baby and well-child screening for diagnosing the presence of autism spectrum disorder
2. The treatment of autism spectrum disorder through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis services.

Coverage for services shall be limited to $36,000 annually and may not exceed $200,000 in total lifetime benefits for an individual under 18 years of age or an individual 18 years of age or older who is in high school who has been diagnosed as having a developmental disability at 8 years of age or younger.

Related services are available to children to help them achieve their educational goals. These “related services” refer to transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. For more information regarding related services as outlined in section 300.34(a) of Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 300.43 (a)) and Section 602(26) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), refer to the Florida Department of Education’s website. 

If your insurance does not cover the necessary therapies, check with Children’s Medical Services through the Florida Department of Health. 

Answer: In order to be eligible for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (“APD”), an individual must have a developmental disability (as defined in section 393.063(12), Florida Statutes), which occurs prior to age 18 and constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. Disabilities served by APD include:

• Intellectual Disability (Full Scale IQ of 70 or below),
• Severe forms of Autism,
• Spina Bifida cystica or myelomeningocele,
• Cerebral Palsy,
• Prader-Willi syndrome,
• Down syndrome,
• Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or
• Individuals between the ages of 3-5 at high risk for a developmental disability.

As part of the application process, APD will request proof of a developmental disability diagnosis. Documentation of a developmental disability may include, but is not limited to school records, testing, or medical records. APD may assist with the provision of a comprehensive assessment if necessary to definitively identify individual conditions or needs. Refer to the link below for more information on eligibility and applying for services.

Only applicants whose domicile is in Florida are eligible for services. Domicile may be established as provided in section 222.17, Florida Statutes. Additionally, applicants must be at least 3 years of age to be determined eligible for services. Examples of documents that may be used as proof of domicile include: Florida Driver’s License or ID Card, Florida’s Voter Registration Card, Florida’s Court Filed Declaration of Domicile, Homestead exemption filing, mortgage or lease agreement, or employment/school records.

If you have the proof of eligibility that you can provide with your application, it will streamline the eligibility review process. Otherwise, APD will assist you in obtaining the information.

To apply for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which includes participation in the iBudget Home and Community-Based Services Waiver or placement in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ICF/IID), submit an application to the APD office that serves your area, either by mail or by hand delivery. Faxed submissions will be returned for an original signature. For more information on eligibility and applying for services, visit APD’s website.

Application for services may be accepted from a parent or court-appointed guardian of a minor child, a legally competent adult, or an authorized legal representative. For applicants under 18 years of age, the person’s legal representative must sign the application for APD services. If the applicant is 18 years of age or older, he or she must sign the application and all necessary documents unless he has been determined incapacitated by a court of law or unless he has asked another person to exercise his rights (in writing). An adult who is unable to sign may mark the signature line. The mark shall be identified and witnessed as “his/her mark.” If the adult is incapacitated, the legal representative, as identified in a court order, shall execute all documents on behalf of the applicant.

Applicants who are in crisis (meaning they’re currently homeless, exhibit life-threatening behaviors that place them or others in extreme danger, or have a caregiver who is in extreme duress and can no longer provide for the applicant’s health and safety) should contact the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ regional office serving their county. The local regional office may be able to provide short term services and will review the situation to determine if a crisis waiver enrollment request is warranted. For more information regarding crisis criteria, please visit the Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register website.

Children under the age of 3 with significant delays or a condition likely to result in a developmental delay are served by the Florida’s Early Steps Program within the Department of Health. For more information, please contact them at 1- (800) 218-0001 or visit their website 

Florida Kidcare – Offers healthcare coverage for children from birth to age 18. There are 4 possible programs, including:  Medicaid, MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids, or the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan. The eligibility for the various programs is determined based on the age of the child, family income, and household size. For more information please contact Florida Kidcare at 1-888-540-KIDS (5437) or visit the Florida Kidcare website.  

Please visit APD’s Resource Directory for additional information related to available resources and organizations throughout the State of Florida.

The Florida Navigator is an online tool designed to empower and inform individuals with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals about specific State of Florida services. To learn more about the Florida Navigator, visit their website and click on the Florida Navigator.

Answer: A variety of residential options are available for youth and adults looking to live on their own or with their peers. The Arc Tampa Bay offers residential programs for young adults in either a group home setting or in supervised apartment living arrangements. The Arc Tampa Bay’s programs are located throughout northern Pinellas county. To receive group home residential services from The Arc Tampa Bay, the individual must be funded by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and referred through their waiver support coordinator. To apply for services through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit the APD website.

The Arc Tampa Bay’s Waterfall Apartment Program is designed as a transitional living situation. Residents who enter the program acquire the skills to eventually move into their own homes or apartments. The length of stay depends upon each individual. If an individual experiences difficulties in achieving independence and maintaining basic safety skills without significant supports, other programs may be better suited for the person. The Arc Tampa Bay reserves the right to request the individual move into a more appropriate program. The Waterfall Program is not intended to be a permanent residence. To learn more about the Waterfall Apartment Program, please contact Lisa Archer at: 727-799-3330, extension 7633.

Other options for housing include supported living arrangements and independent living arrangements. Refer to Project10 for a list of resources and housing options.  

Answer: It is important to find an attorney with experience in special needs planning and trusts. The Academy of Special Needs Planners is an excellent resource to guide families and caregivers to find the right representation and resources within their community. The Academy consists of special needs planning professionals such as attorneys, financial planners and trust officers that assists them in providing the highest quality service and advice to persons with special needs and to their families. The Academy also provides direct information to persons with disabilities through a consumer web site and a monthly e-mail newsletter. To find an attorney or financial planner in your area, log onto their website at Special Needs Answers. Be sure to look within county as it is usually best if the attorney practices in your county. Find out whether the attorney handles probate, guardianship, special needs trusts, etc. in order to find the professional best suited to your needs.

Answer: ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families, were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or better known as the ABLE Act. The beneficiary of the account is the account owner, and income earned by the accounts will not be taxed. Contributions to the account, which can be made by any person (the account beneficiary, family, friends Special Needs Trust or Pooled Trust), must be made using post-taxed dollars and will not be tax deductible for purposes of federal taxes; however, some states may allow for state income tax deductions for contributions made to an ABLE account.

Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care and food and housing assistance. Eligibility for these public benefits (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid) require meeting a means/resource test that restricts eligibility to individuals who report less than $2,000 in cash savings, retirement funds and other items of significant value. To remain eligible for these public benefits, an individual must remain poor. For the first time in public policy, the ABLE Act recognizes the extra and significant costs of living with a disability. These include costs related to raising a child with significant disabilities or a working-age adult with disabilities, accessible housing and transportation, personal assistance services, assistive technology and health care not covered by insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. For the first time, eligible individuals and their families will be allowed to establish ABLE savings accounts that will largely not affect their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and means-tested programs such as FAFSA, HUD and SNAP/food stamp benefits.

The ABLE Act limits eligibility to individuals with disabilities with an age of onset of disability before turning 26 years of age. If you meet this age requirement and are also receiving benefits under SSI and/or SSDI, you are automatically eligible to establish an ABLE account. If you are not a recipient of SSI and/or SSDI but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, you could still be eligible to open an ABLE account if you meet Social Security’s definition and criteria regarding significant functional limitations and receive a letter of disability certification from a licensed physician, a M.D. or D.O. You do not have to be younger than 26 to be eligible for an ABLE account. You can be over the age of 26 but must have had an age of onset before your 26th birthday.

To learn more about ABLE accounts and how to get started, you can visit the ABLE National Resource Center’s website for more information. 

Answer: Many local and state level organizations offer opportunities for socialization and recreation for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

Special Olympics: Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship. To register as an athlete to participate for Pinellas County, visit the Special Olympics Pinellas County Sports Page

YMCA: The YMCA sponsors a variety of programs for children and teens. To find out more, visit the website for the local YMCA of the Suncoast

Agency for Persons with Disabilities: The Agency for Persons with Disabilities has a comprehensive Resource Directory that enables advocates, parents and guardians to search using a variety of criteria to find the appropriate local resources for your recreational and social needs. 

Help Us Gather (HUG): Help Us Gather exists to provide every individual a sense of inclusion, confidence and friendship. The HUG team accomplishes this goal by providing a calendar of local events for individuals with disabilities, organizing HUG Ambassadors and volunteers, hosting social gatherings and attending community events. 

Additionally, The Arc Tampa Bay can also assist with referring you to several opportunities such as bowling leagues, Friday night social groups, etc. 

Answer: The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offers many programs for transitional youth and adults with disabilities:

 ✔Transition Youth: VR Transition Youth helps students with disabilities prepare and plan for employment success after high school.

✔ Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Services: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Services ensures that eligible individuals with all types of hearing loss receive VR services. Necessary assistance and skills training for both employee and employer can help persons who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind get or keep a job.

✔ Supported Employment: Supported Employment serves people with the most significant disabilities who have not been successful in competitive employment. The program helps individuals become employed in their community by using services such as job coaching and follow-up to promote employment stability.

✔ Ticket to Work: Ticket to Work is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program available to Floridians. For those who qualify for social security benefits, tickets will be issued and may be taken to Employment Network (EN) participants, such as VR, who offer access to employment and rehabilitation services necessary to help a person secure and retain employment. This program is voluntary.

 Independent Living Program: The Independent Living Program provides services through a statewide network of private non-profit, non-residential, locally-based and consumer-controlled Centers for Independent Living.

✔ Mental Health Programs: VR coordinates services with available mental health centers, programs, and service providers to assist individuals with mental or emotional disabilities in becoming employed.

✔ Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker: The Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program funds projects that provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are migrant or seasonal farm workers and the family members who live with them.

✔ Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST): FAAST envisions a seamless, supportive partnership between Florida businesses and government to provide assistive technology devices and services that will enable persons with disabilities to participate in independent living, education, work, and recreation from birth to death.

To find your local VR office and learn more about services and the referral process, go to their local office listing on their website. 

Answer: If your child is enrolled in Pinellas County Schools, there are multiple options for families for before/after school care. PCS enjoys a wonderful working relationship with the large Out-of-School Time providers, and they make every effort to support students with disabilities in their programs. If for some reason they are unable to support your child because their staff lacks the necessary skills/abilities/experience, then they meet with the families on an individual basis to discuss the barriers. 

These three large agencies can be contacted using the following information:

✔ R’Club (insert hyperlink: https://www.rclub.net/)

Phone: 727-578-5437

✔ YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg (insert hyperlink: https://www.stpeteymca.org/)

Phone: 727-895-9622

✔ YMCA of the Suncoast (insert hyperlink: https://www.ymcasuncoast.org/)

Phone: 727-467-9622

Answer: Several options are available to youth for post-graduation planning. Project10 is a great resource to help explore options such as apprenticeships, college or university, vocational training, extended transition, inclusive postsecondary education, etc. To learn more, visit the Project 10 website. (insert hyperlink: http://project10.info/)

Answer: SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers the program. Monthly benefits are paid to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Income is determined by the money that is earned from work and money received from other sources. Resources refer to things the individual owns such as cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, land, vehicles, personal property, life insurance and anything else owned. An individual is considered disabled if they are medically determined to have a physical or mental impairment which results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity and which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. There are multiple ways to apply for SSI:

• By visiting the SSA website (insert hyperlink: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/)

and starting the application process online

• Calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213

• Visiting your local Social Security office to apply without making an appointment. Be prepared to anticipate a longer wait time and to have all necessary documents with you. Visit the SSA website (insert hyperlink: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/) to find out more.

Answer: In order to be eligible for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (“APD”), an individual must have a developmental disability (as defined in section 393.063(12), Florida Statutes), which occurs prior to age 18 and constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely. Disabilities served by APD include:

• Intellectual Disability (Full Scale IQ of 70 or below),

• Severe forms of Autism,

• Spina Bifida cystica or myelomeningocele,

• Cerebral Palsy,

• Prader-Willi syndrome,

• Down syndrome,

• Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or

• Individuals between the ages of 3-5 at high risk for a developmental disability.

As part of the application process, APD will request proof of a developmental disability diagnosis. Documentation of a developmental disability may include, but is not limited to school records, testing, or medical records. APD may assist with the provision of a comprehensive assessment if necessary to definitively identify individual conditions or needs. Refer to the link below for more information on eligibility and applying for services.

Only applicants whose domicile is in Florida are eligible for services. Domicile may be established as provided in section 222.17, Florida Statutes. Additionally, applicants must be at least 3 years of age to be determined eligible for services. Examples of documents that may be used as proof of domicile include: Florida Driver’s License or ID Card, Florida’s Voter Registration Card, Florida’s Court Filed Declaration of Domicile, Homestead exemption filing, mortgage or lease agreement, or employment/school records.

If you have the proof of eligibility that you can provide with your application, it will streamline the eligibility review process. Otherwise, APD will assist you in obtaining the information.

To apply for services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which includes participation in the iBudget Home and Community-Based Services Waiver or placement in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ICF/IID), submit an application to the APD office that serves your area, either by mail or by hand delivery. Faxed submissions will be returned for an original signature. For more information on eligibility and applying for services, visit APD’s website at http://apd.myflorida.com/customers/application/.

Application for services may be accepted from a parent or court-appointed guardian of a minor child, a legally competent adult, or an authorized legal representative. For applicants under 18 years of age, the person’s legal representative must sign the application for APD services. If the applicant is 18 years of age or older, he or she must sign the application and all necessary documents unless he has been determined incapacitated by a court of law or unless he has asked another person to exercise his rights (in writing). An adult who is unable to sign may mark the signature line. The mark shall be identified and witnessed as “his/her mark.” If the adult is incapacitated, the legal representative, as identified in a court order, shall execute all documents on behalf of the applicant.

Applicants who are in crisis (meaning they’re currently homeless, exhibit life-threatening behaviors that place them or others in extreme danger, or have a caregiver who is in extreme duress and can no longer provide for the applicant’s health and safety) should contact the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ regional office serving their county. The local regional office may be able to provide short term services and will review the situation to determine if a crisis waiver enrollment request is warranted. For more information regarding crisis criteria, please visit the Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register website at: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=65G-1

Please visit APD’s Resource Directory at: http://apdcares.org/ for additional information related to available resources and organizations throughout the State of Florida.

The Florida Navigator is an online tool designed to empower and inform individuals with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and professionals about specific State of Florida services. To learn more about the Florida Navigator, visit their website at: http://apdcares.org/ and click on the Florida Navigator.

Answer: It is important to find an attorney with experience in special needs planning and trusts. The Academy of Special Needs Planners is an excellent resource to guide families and caregivers to find the right representation and resources within their community. The Academy consists of special needs planning professionals such as attorneys, financial planners and trust officers that assists them in providing the highest quality service and advice to persons with special needs and to their families. The Academy also provides direct information to persons with disabilities through a consumer web site and a monthly e-mail newsletter. To find an attorney or financial planner in your area, log onto their website at Special Needs Answers. Be sure to look within county as it is usually best if the attorney practices in your county. Find out whether the attorney handles probate, guardianship, special needs trusts, etc. in order to find the professional best suited to your needs.

Answer: ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families, were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or better known as the ABLE Act. The beneficiary of the account is the account owner, and income earned by the accounts will not be taxed. Contributions to the account, which can be made by any person (the account beneficiary, family, friends Special Needs Trust or Pooled Trust), must be made using post-taxed dollars and will not be tax deductible for purposes of federal taxes; however, some states may allow for state income tax deductions for contributions made to an ABLE account.

Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care and food and housing assistance. Eligibility for these public benefits (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid) require meeting a means/resource test that restricts eligibility to individuals who report less than $2,000 in cash savings, retirement funds and other items of significant value. To remain eligible for these public benefits, an individual must remain poor. For the first time in public policy, the ABLE Act recognizes the extra and significant costs of living with a disability. These include costs related to raising a child with significant disabilities or a working-age adult with disabilities, accessible housing and transportation, personal assistance services, assistive technology and health care not covered by insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. For the first time, eligible individuals and their families will be allowed to establish ABLE savings accounts that will largely not affect their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and means-tested programs such as FAFSA, HUD and SNAP/food stamp benefits.

The ABLE Act limits eligibility to individuals with disabilities with an age of onset of disability before turning 26 years of age. If you meet this age requirement and are also receiving benefits under SSI and/or SSDI, you are automatically eligible to establish an ABLE account. If you are not a recipient of SSI and/or SSDI but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, you could still be eligible to open an ABLE account if you meet Social Security’s definition and criteria regarding significant functional limitations and receive a letter of disability certification from a licensed physician, a M.D. or D.O. You do not have to be younger than 26 to be eligible for an ABLE account. You can be over the age of 26 but must have had an age of onset before your 26th birthday.

To learn more about ABLE accounts and how to get started, you can visit the ABLE National Resource Center’s website for more information. 

Answer: The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offers many programs for transitional youth and adults with disabilities:

✔ Transition Youth: VR Transition Youth helps students with disabilities prepare and plan for employment success after high school.

✔ Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Services: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Services ensures that eligible individuals with all types of hearing loss receive VR services. Necessary assistance and skills training for both employee and employer can help persons who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind get or keep a job.

✔ Supported Employment: Supported Employment serves people with the most significant disabilities who have not been successful in competitive employment. The program helps individuals become employed in their community by using services such as job coaching and follow-up to promote employment stability.

✔ Ticket to Work: Ticket to Work is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program available to Floridians. For those who qualify for social security benefits, tickets will be issued and may be taken to Employment Network (EN) participants, such as VR, who offer access to employment and rehabilitation services necessary to help a person secure and retain employment. This program is voluntary.

✔ Independent Living Program: The Independent Living Program provides services through a statewide network of private non-profit, non-residential, locally-based and consumer-controlled Centers for Independent Living.

✔ Mental Health Programs: VR coordinates services with available mental health centers, programs, and service providers to assist individuals with mental or emotional disabilities in becoming employed.

✔ Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker: The Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program funds projects that provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are migrant or seasonal farm workers and the family members who live with them.

✔ Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST): FAAST envisions a seamless, supportive partnership between Florida businesses and government to provide assistive technology devices and services that will enable persons with disabilities to participate in independent living, education, work, and recreation from birth to death.

To find your local VR office and learn more about services and the referral process visit their website.

Answer: Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to work and still receive monthly payments. These work incentives include: continuation of cash benefits while you work; continuation of Medicaid or Medicare benefits while working; and help with education and training to start a new career. Social Security and SSI have different rules. The Ticket to Work program helps individuals navigate these issues. To learn more about working affects social security benefits, visit the Ticket to Work website at choosework.ssa.gov. The Ticket to Work Help Line is also available to talk to someone about work, benefits, and work incentive programs by calling 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842) Monday through Friday between 8AM and 8PM ET. 

Answer: Many local and state level organizations offer opportunities for socialization and recreation for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

Special Olympics: Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship. To register as an athlete to participate for Pinellas County, visit the Special Olympics Pinellas County Sports Page 

YMCA: The YMCA sponsors the MASH (Mainstream Adults Sharing Hope) for adults 18 and older. MASH meet-ups encourage socializing, development of healthy habits, and community involvement. To find out more about MASH, visit the YMCA website.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities: The Agency for Persons with Disabilities has a comprehensive Resource Directory that enables advocates, parents and guardians to search using a variety of criteria to find the appropriate local resources for your recreational and social needs.

Help Us Gather (HUG): Help Us Gather exists to provide every individual a sense of inclusion, confidence and friendship. The HUG team accomplishes this goal by providing a calendar of local events for individuals with disabilities, organizing HUG Ambassadors and volunteers, hosting social gatherings and attending community events. 

Additionally, The Arc Tampa Bay can also assist with referring you to several opportunities such as bowling leagues, Friday night social groups, etc. 

Answer: The Arc Tampa Bay offers many adult day program options and services. Day program services typically operate 8 AM – 2 PM Monday-Friday. Depending on the individual’s needs, services may be geared towards recreation and leisure, creativity exploration, vocational development, academic or therapeutic activities. Day program services offer additional benefits such as socialization, self-advocacy, Special Olympics participation, volunteerism, community outings, etc. 

The Arc Tampa Bay operates 3 adult day programs throughout northern Pinellas county: at the Long Center in Clearwater, in Tarpon Springs and at Harborside Studios in Safety Harbor. To receive services from The Arc Tampa Bay, individuals must be funded through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and referred by their waiver support coordinator. To learn more about applying to APD, go to the customers tab of the APD website and select Applying for Services.

The Arc Tampa Bay offers private pay options. To schedule a tour and speak to someone about private pay options, please contact: ____________________

Answer: Residential services consist of a variety of options from supported living, supervised apartments and group homes. Supported living arrangements offer independent living with caretaker support as needed. Supervised apartment settings such as The Arc Tampa Bay’s Waterfall Apartment Complex provide independent living with staff available on site during scheduled office hours to provide help with finance, shopping and some transportation needs. Individuals are able to perform most skills independently and are able to care for themselves in their homes. Group home living arrangements offer 24 hour supervision and supports based on the individual’s needs. All group homes provide assistance with medication, recreation, and transportation. Group home offer socialization with peers and community-based living. The Arc Tampa Bay offers group home placement and Waterfall Apartment transitional living. To qualify for group home placement, the individual must be funded by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and be referred by their waiver support coordinator. To learn more about applying to APD, go to the customers tab of the APD website and select Applying for Services.

The Arc Tampa Bay’s Waterfall Apartment Program is designed as a transitional living situation. Residents who enter the program acquire the skills to eventually move into their own homes or apartments. The length of stay depends upon each individual. If an individual experiences difficulties in achieving independence and maintaining basic safety skills without significant supports, other programs may be better suited for the person. The Arc Tampa Bay reserves the right to request the individual move into a more appropriate program. The Waterfall Program is not intended to be a permanent residence. To learn more about the Waterfall Apartment Program, please contact Lisa Archer at: 727-799-3330, extension 7633.

Other options for housing include supported living arrangements and independent living arrangements. Refer to the Project10 website for a list of resources and housing options.

Answer: Transportation services can be funded through a variety of resources. If your child is currently not funded for transportation, you can pursue various options within the Tampa Bay community:

Transportation Disadvantaged: The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is a state-funded program that provides reduced cost transportation throughout the county to residents who qualify as "Transportation Disadvantaged."

WHO QUALIFIES FOR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED SERVICES IN PINELLAS COUNTY?

In order to qualify for Transportation Disadvantaged services in Pinellas County, a person must:

• Live in Pinellas County

• Not be able to get a ride from household members or others for life-sustaining trips: medical, grocery, work, job-related training/education and other vital services

• Have documented household income which does not exceed 150 percent of poverty 

The application is available on their website, To learn more, go to PSTA’s website and navigate the to Transportation Disadvantaged Program.

For individuals who may not be able to utilize PSTA buses due to their disability, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides Demand Response Transportation services. DART service is a form of public transportation which meets PSTA’s obligations to provide door-to-door service which parallels or “complements” local bus service in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passengers will be required to share a ride whenever possible, as is done on the regular bus system.

To learn more about DART, visit the PSTA website and go to the DART program.

Similar programs are available through Pasco and Hillsborough county public transportation programs.

If your child is 60 or older, Neighborly is a Pinellas county service provider for elderly residents, offering transportation as one of their services.

If your child is receiving supports from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, transportation can be included as part of your child’s annual individual support plan. First contact your child’s waiver support coordinator to learn about your transportation options. To find transportation providers in your area, use APD’s online Provider Search Directory.