Message from the Interim Director

My Travels
By Jim DeBeaugrine

While serving as Interim Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, I am enjoying the opportunity to meet fellow employees around the state. This month I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Gulf Coast Center near Fort Myers and the Panama City APD Office.

I received an excellent tour of the Gulf Coast Center and had the chance to speak with dozens of extremely dedicated employees (more details in story below). This workforce is the epitome of selflessness. Although the center will close in 2010 due to the Brown v. Bush court settlement, the employees remain focused on meeting the needs of the people they serve. I will do everything in my power to assist these wonderful employees, our customers, and their families during this challenging transition.

Also in Fort Myers, I had the honor of presenting Davis Productivity Awards. One award went to Jim Stover, who fixed a leak with a $2 plug instead of the state paying a plumber more than $4,000 to make the same repair. A team saved the state $11,000 on pager costs. Another team won due to their efforts to reduce agency paperwork (I might be stealing some of their ideas for application statewide). There is plenty of talent and creativity to go along with the extraordinary commitment to customer service at the Gulf Coast Center.

Another great visit was to the Panama City satellite office for Area 2. Many of the people I met at that office have worked for the agency for 20 or 30 years, and some even longer. It was refreshing to see that these long-term employees still have the fire in their eyes when it comes to their jobs. Having grown up just a couple of hours to the north of Panama City, I felt right at home.

The people I met in Fort Myers and Panama City are clearly committed to a purpose bigger than themselves. This keeps them energized and focused despite the challenges. Fortunately, it is a common trait among people who work in this field, both in the public and private sectors. They are truly role models for all of us.

Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.

Recognizing those Committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act

by Melanie Mowry Etters, Communications Director

About 100 people gathered at the top of the Capitol on July 24 to celebrate the 18th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum spoke about the opportunities the ADA provides to citizens and the recourse it gives his agency to protect the rights of all Floridians, including those with disabilities.

As part of the festivities, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Interim Director Jim DeBeaugrine presented certificates to three organizations that are committed to the spirit of the ADA. DeBeaugrine said, "It is important to take time to recognize milestones that have changed society like the ADA. It is equally important to recognize those organizations that have made a true commitment to including people with disabilities in their mission. I am especially pleased that the three winners are public organizations dedicated to serving all citizens."

Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography in Florida State University's Department of Dance (MANCC)

For the past two years the FSU Department of Dance has hosted the AXIS Dance Company, which has dancers with and without disabilities. The school researched and implemented accommodations to ensure that AXIS members did not have problems maneuvering throughout the school. Months in advance of the company's arrival, MANCC assembled a committee to ensure that the dancers would have the highest level of disability access and accommodations. MANCC also sponsored a series of workshops, showings, and events for students and the arts community at large.

Director of the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography Jennifer Calienes said, "Bringing the AXIS Dance Company to Tallahassee was a rewarding experience for everyone involved. We are grateful to Ability 1st and the many individuals who guided us along the way to ensure that our facilities on campus and in Tallahassee were as accommodating as possible for the dancers. We feel many doors (and eyes) were opened along the journey and hope to continue to build a platform to advance artistic excellence for people of all abilities."

Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails

The Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails has partnered with other organizations like the Felburn Foundation to build accessible playgrounds along public trails. The first one is on the Cross Florida Greenway in Marion County. The second one opened this year in Wakulla County along the St. Marks Trail. The Boundless Playgrounds^® accommodate children with and without disabilities. These inclusive playgrounds allow children in wheelchairs or with other restrictions to play with their friends who do not have disabilities.

In expressing appreciation to APD for this recognition, Jena Brooks, Director of the Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) noted that, "All children should have access to outdoor recreation and this concept is a key component of OGT's facilitation of a statewide system of greenways and trails in Florida. Thanks to the generous support of the nature-based Felburn Foundation, we are proud to feature Boundless Playgrounds on two of our managed properties, giving children of all abilities the opportunity to play freely together in a healthy environment."

State Courts System of Florida

The Court Accessibility Subcommittee of the Supreme Court's Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity recently completed a survey for ADA compliance of more than 140 state court facilities in Florida. While conducting the survey, various issues were identified with many being corrected promptly. The effort raised ADA awareness and increased compliance throughout the state. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince accepted the award on behalf of the court system.

Former Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis, who spearheaded this ADA effort, said, "During the court accessibility initiative - and due in large part to the leadership of the chief judges, court administrators, and ADA coordinators - the courts built a coalition of the judiciary, counties, clerks of court, the disability community, and others. This dynamic assemblage of Floridians successfully engaged in a collaborative, nonadversarial initiative to improve the accessibility of court facilities across the state."

Also during the ADA event, Special Counsel Ollie Cantos from the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., talked about the ADA Amendment Act and how it will bring about positive change for people with disabilities.

Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities partnered with the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Ability 1st (Center for Independent Living of North Florida), and the Able Trust to hold the ADA 18th anniversary event.

DOJ Issues ADA Regulations

Reprinted Brief from National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued proposed rules revising the regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. The unusually lengthy new regulations, totaling about 215,000 words, have stirred up controversy, with some advocates arguing that they will significantly undercut the original 1990 regulations and impose numerous regressive restrictions, while others describe them as far-reaching new rules that would give people with disabilities greater access to tens of thousands of locations.

Among the proposed changes:

Courts would have to provide a lift or a ramp to ensure that people in wheelchairs could get into the witness stand.
Auditoriums would have to provide a lift or a ramp so wheelchair users could "participate fully and equally in graduation exercises and other events" at which members of the audience have direct access to the stage.
Any sports stadium with a seating capacity of 25,000 or more would have to provide safety and emergency information by posting written messages on scoreboards and video monitors for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Theaters must provide specified numbers of seats for wheelchair users (at least five in a 300-seat facility), with viewing angles to the screen or stage that are "equivalent to or better than the average viewing angles provided to all other spectators."
Hotels must allow people with disabilities to reserve accessible guest rooms, and they must honor these reservations to the same degree they guarantee other room reservations.
At least half of the holes on miniature golf courses must be accessible to people using wheelchairs, and these holes must be connected by a continuous, unobstructed path.
A new swimming pool with a perimeter of more than 300 feet would have to provide "at least two accessible means of entry," like a gentle sloping ramp or a chair lift.
New playgrounds would have to provide access to slides, swings and other play equipment for children who use wheelchairs.
The rules propose a safe harbor for small businesses, allowing them to meet their obligations in a given year if, in the prior year, they had spent at least one percent of their gross revenues to remove barriers.
The proposed rules affirm the right of people with disabilities to use guide dogs and other service animals in public places, but they tighten the definition to exclude certain species by defining a service animal as "any dog or other common domestic animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks" for a person with a physical or mental disability. Under this definition, according to the administration, monkeys could not qualify as service animals, nor would reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, ferrets and rodents; or most farm animals.
Under the rules, a hotel, restaurant, theater, store or public park could ask a person with a disability to remove a service animal if the animal was out of control or not housebroken, or if it posed a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

The White House approved the proposed rules, under development for more than four years, in May after a five-month review. The Justice Department acknowledged that some of the changes would have significant costs, but over all, it said, the value of the public benefits, estimated at $54 billion, exceeds the expected costs of $23 billion. In an economic analysis of the proposed rules, the Justice Department said the need for an accessible environment was greater than ever because the Iraq war was "creating a new generation of young men and women with disabilities."

All comments on the rules must be received by August 18th, although a number of advocacy groups have signed on to a letter requesting an extension of the comment period.

The proposed regulations affecting commercial facilities can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-12623.htm.

The proposed rules affecting state and local governments can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-12622.htm.

State Encourages Adoption

By Jeff Saulich, Communications

Florida government is encouraging adoption in more ways than one. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth participated in a news conference on July 2 to debut new statewide Public Service Announcements for the Explore Adoption campaign. APD Interim Director Jim DeBeaugrine attended the debut held at the Capitol in Tallahassee, showing the agency's support for this Governor's initiative.

The Explore Adoption campaign is promoting public adoption as an option to consider when couples want to adopt children. A series of radio and TV spots uses a combination of drama and humor to drive the point across. One of the TV spots features the adoption of a child with a disability.

The campaign is spreading the news about the many benefits of public adoption, including affordability, monthly subsidies, health care through the Medicaid program, and free tuition to state universities, community colleges, and vocational schools.

For more information on public adoption, visit the "Explore Adoption" Web site at www.adoptflorida.org or call 1-800-96-ADOPT.

Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Families is getting the word out about special benefits that are available to state employees and teachers who adopt children through the state. Florida's Adoption Benefits Enrollment Period for 2008 began on August 1 and will remain open through September 30.

Through the Adoption Benefits Program, state employees and teachers who adopt children from DCF may be eligible for a one-time stipend of $5,000 or $10,000, depending on the special needs of the child adopted.

For more information about DCF's Adoption Benefits Program, visit the program's Web site: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/adoption/adoptbenefitsprogram.shtml

Disability Mentoring Day Kick off

The state of Florida will officially kick off Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) on October 2 in Orlando. The Kick off Celebration and Career Fair will take place at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

This is the second annual DMD career fair, and is expected to be attended by more than 1,000 high school and college students in the fall. The event will feature a keynote breakfast and ribbon-cutting ceremony with Florida's top leaders to start DMD activities around the state. There will also be educational sessions, hands-on resume and interview skills workshops, as well as networking with state and national employer booths.

An important focus of the Career Fair will be the focus on assistive technology. The committee is hoping to have more than a dozen exhibitors to share the latest in assistive technology with the students. If your organization or company is interested in having a booth, please contact The Able Trust at 1-888-838-2253. The deadline to sign up is September 1. The cost is $550 for nonprofit organizations and $850 for corporate organizations.

Florida Disability Mentoring Day, which will be officially commemorated on October 15, has grown significantly since its inception in 2002. During DMD, approximately 1,100 students with disabilities and employers are matched across Florida for a one-on-one job shadowing experience. Every Agency for Persons with Disabilities Area Office has a DMD Coordinator that you may contact if interested in participating. DMD gives students an opportunity to learn more about the workplace and see the day-to-day responsibilities required of a person in their career field of interest.

The goal of Disability Mentoring Day and the Career Fair is to break down barriers to ensure Floridians with disabilities are included in the workforce. For additional information, visit www.floridadmd.org.

Governor Crist Appoints Three To Autism Task Force

Governor Charlie Crist recently announced the following appointments to the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders with each term ending June 30, 2009:

Dr. Laura L. Bailet, 51, of Jacksonville, executive director of Nemours Bright Start!, succeeding Toni Crawford

Jarl K. Jackson, 42, of Tallahassee, coordinator of The Tallahassee Asperger Support Coalition

Lisa Precourt, 43, of Orlando, home school mother

Around the State

Sunland Center Recreation Program Excels In Special Olympics

On July 19, the Recreation Program at Sunland Center in Marianna received three highly coveted awards during a ceremony at the Special Olympics Leadership Conference held in Orlando. Two of these awards were presented to Recreation Director Karen Henrickson and John Payne, who works in Sunland's Recreation Department and also serves as the head coach of Sunland's three sports teams. Louis T., a member of Sunland's Supersonics sports program, was honored as the 2008 Athlete of the Year.

Henrickson was awarded the prestigious Bill Crutchfield Award by Special Olympics Florida. This award recognizes individuals for excellence and longevity with Special Olympics. Henrickson has been employed with Sunland since 1979. She began employment as a high school graduate with Sunland's Summer Program. Working her way through college, she was eventually promoted through various positions to Recreation Director. Henrickson's father, Harry Howell, was a former Superintendent of Sunland during the 1960s. Henrickson literally grew up as a part of the "Sunland Family" and continues to be a vital member of the Sunland supervisory staff. Her love for Sunland and the residents we serve is evident in the high level of commitment and dedication she displays each day. Henrickson devotes countless hours to ensure residents are afforded optimal recreational opportunities to enhance their personal happiness, health, and well-being. She continually displays a tireless, can-do attitude while striving for excellence in all she undertakes.

Payne was named the 2008 Coach of the Year for Special Olympics Florida. He became involved in Special Olympics coaching in the late 1980s. In 1999, he was named head coach of Sunland's three sports teams. The program was already well established; however, Payne continued this excellence in winning, claiming more than 15 Gold Medals. His winning formula continues to be creating weekly competitive opportunities for his athletes, successfully playing any team that will take on his squad. Payne treats his Special Olympians as athletes. He expects much from them and he gets it, and the athletes love him for it. Payne quickly pointed out, when he received his award, that much of the credit goes to people behind the scenes. He mentioned assistant coaches, scorekeepers, groundskeepers, folks who maintain uniforms, concessions, and Sunland's administration who firmly supports the program.

Louis T. of Marianna was named the 2008 Athlete of the Year by Special Olympics Florida. He has been involved in Special Olympics for nearly 40 years. He received his award in Orlando, where his journey in sports began more than 60 years ago. Louis was born there, and was soon placed in Sunland at Gainesville. He later moved to Sunland Marianna and quickly transitioned to independent living in the Marianna area, where he lives and works to this day. It was at Sunland Marianna that Louis became involved in team sports playing basketball, volleyball and softball. Louis, a natural athlete, excelled in this environment and has been a part of over 40 Gold Medal teams in Sunland's rich athletic history. Louis has become a key player, knowing how to contribute to the overall team effort. He is like a coach on the field or court, knowing his assignment and those of his teammates. He continues to be the starting pitcher on the softball team and anywhere he is needed on the basketball court. Louis was asked by the Marianna High School (MHS) basketball coach to serve as an assistant coach of the MHS Bulldog basketball team. He has proven to be an inspiration in that role, and to all the players he comes in contact with. Sunland Center and the Supersonics program are very proud of Louis and his many accomplishments.

Daytona Beach Area Office Honors Residential Providers

By Shelia Mott, Licensure Supervisor

At the Quarterly Residential Provider Meeting held on Tuesday, July 8, the employees of the Daytona Beach Area Office (Area 12) recognized residential providers for excellence in licensing and monitoring. Five licensed homes were recognized for receiving annual licensure renewal inspections without a Notice of Non-Compliance. Nine licensed homes were recognized for receiving three consecutive monthly monitoring visits without any Notices of Non-Compliance.

The names of these providers will be posted in the Area 12 lobby. Daytona Beach Area Office Administrator Ed De Bardeleben said, "It is our hope that by posting this Honor Roll, individuals and their families will be more aware of the monitoring of licensure standards, and Area 12's expectations of its providers. The licensure and monitoring staff have played a very active role in the overall improvement of residential services in this area. We are hopeful that all providers will strive to do more, and do it better, to be recognized on future Honor Rolls."

Director and Chief Visit Gulf Coast

By Jeff Saulich, Communications

Interim Director Jim DeBeaugrine and Chief of Residential and Clinical Supports Becky Maguire visited Gulf Coast Center on July 14 and 15. The leaders met with more than a hundred employees of the Fort Myers center on a variety of program topics. They also toured many of the center's 37 occupied buildings.

"I am very pleased with the professionalism of staff and their dedication to the people who live at Gulf Coast Center," DeBeaugrine said.

The interim director's meeting with the center's Executive Management Team touched on the extensive institutional knowledge the team comprises, and on how the agency might continue to benefit from their expertise after Gulf Coast Center's closure, which is mandated to happen by June 30, 2010. The meeting also included discussion of the possible future uses for the beautiful 502-acre campus.

"It is amazing to me how high the morale is at this center," Maguire remarked. "Despite the pending closure of the facility, these employees are striving to make things better. They seem to care more about the future of Gulf Coast's residents than about their own futures. The staff continue to come up with good ideas for the future, and their attitudes are vital and positive."

Another high point of the visit was DeBeaugrine's presentation of Davis Productivity Awards to Gulf Coast's winners. While the center's "Streamliners" team had already received its plaque in a regional awards presentation (see following story), the interim director presented each team member with a certificate. Also honored with certificates were the center's Information Systems Team for its "Reduced Pager Cost" project, and James Stover for his plumbing repair that saved the state substantial expense.

The Champion reported on all of APD's winning teams and individuals in its debut issue in April. To revisit the issue, go to this intranet page: https://intranet.apd.myflorida.com/champion/2008/april

Davis Awards Hit the Road

Some APD employees in the field received their Davis Productivity Awards when regional award ceremonies were held in Tampa and Gainesville, and when APD Interim Director Jim DeBeaugrine visited Gulf Coast Center (see story above). The Champion gave you the lowdown on all of the agency's Davis Award winners in its debut issue, available here:https://intranet.apd.myflorida.com/champion/2008/april But congratulations are in order once again, now that two prestigious plaques were recently presented during the ceremonies.

The Gulf Coast Center in Fort Myers sent representatives to Tampa on June 16 to accept a plaque for its "Streamliners" team. The 12-member crew was commended for merging three different documents into one comprehensive document, greatly improving efficiency.

Meanwhile, it was easy traveling for the contingent from Tacachale Center to accept its plaque during ceremonies in Gainesville on June 10. The Center's Medication Occurrence Team of six employees was honored for achieving a reduction in medication errors - reducing risk to residents and saving more than $1 million.

Having Fun in Gainesville

By Wayne Jespersen, Tacachale Center

Three cheers for Tacachale Integrated Programs and Services - universally referred to as TIPS. Located in Gainesville, Tacachale is the oldest and largest Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) community, housing over 468 residents. The TIPS program offers the residents opportunities and services which respect individual choices and are designated to enhance their quality of life and individual potential. Each day a multitude of doors open to fulfill this mission, and residents eagerly go out from their homes to attend various work sites, entertainment venues, and exercise facilities. And, throughout their day, they enjoy breaks at the famous TIPS Canteen, offering a variety of healthy food, snacks, and drinks.

TIPS transports Tacachale residents to sensational experiences designed for their growth and entertainment. For example, over 70 arts and craft projects are offered at the Ray Green Recreation Center. Some of the arts and crafts offered include painting ceramics for kiln firing, painting with both acrylics and watercolors, finger painting, glitter art, key chain and weaving kits, greeting cards, paper fans, needle stitch kits, picture frames, and tie-dyeing T-shirts. Projects are specifically planned to enhance each individual's life at Tacachale.

The Sensations program offers amenities to assist residents with relaxing and enjoying their surroundings, as well as achieving personal growth. Soft background music wafts throughout the facility, soothing the soul. In one area, the residents use weighted blankets to gain confidence, as well as help them establish where their body is in space. Some enter whirlpool baths to sooth or stimulate muscles and others rock gently on a tripod swing seat.

The Elder Care Center gives residents a new opportunity to socialize and interact with peers and Tacachale employees, expand and learn skills, or engage in games and other activities. Elder Care consists of four areas: the main Interaction Room, Sports Room, Library/Computer Room, and an outdoor recreation area. Among the many activities available, residents can play pool or air hockey, play musical instruments, listen to books on tape, exercise with their favorite jazzercise tape, or work on a variety of tabletop activities.

TIPS plans to reach out to more Tacachale residents. This includes introducing new work opportunities where residents are trained to assist with floor care, housekeeping, retail sales, food service, painting, and warehouse activities, as well as work on the farm and assist in other maintenance services.

Two new contracts are currently being sought to bring in more work and extend hours for employment opportunities into the evening. Among current work sites, TIPS promotes recycling efforts and thereby offers sorting and bailing employment opportunities to residents. Paper, cardboard, and computer hard drive removal are now part of the recycling program.

Art therapy through arts and craft classes, art shows, and an Art Gallery to display residents'finished artwork are also in the works. Part of this focus includes a plan to develop community business relationships to sell residents' artwork, bring in local artists to interact with residents, and organize field trips to the Harn Museum at the University of Florida.

APD Participates in Business Forum

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities was one of dozens of government agencies that participated in a networking opportunity for small businesses to learn more about procurement opportunities with state agencies.

The event was open to the public and was hosted by Representative Ronald Brise´(District 108) in partnership with Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the keynote speaker, and Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, where it was held.

Rep. Brise´concluded that, "The event was a success. It met its intended purpose of bringing state government to the small businesses in a meaningful way - not only to provide information but to generate opportunities."

Other state agencies that were there included: the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Children and Families, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Corrections, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Financial Services, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Lottery, Department of Management Services, Department of Revenue, Department of State, Department of Veterans Affairs, South Florida Water Management District, Department of Transportation, USDOT/Southeast Small Business Transportation Resource Center, and Miami-Dade College Minority and Small Business Enterprise Program.

Torey Alston, director of the Office of Supplier Diversity within the Department of Management Services (DMS), gave a presentation about the services and opportunities available to small businesses. Similar events are being planned around the state and will be held throughout the year.

Champion Staff
Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor
Jeff Saulich - Photo Editor
Chad Pickett - Web Development Lloyd Harger - Web Development