WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Florida Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

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.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities
4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0950
Phone: 850-488-4257
Toll Free: 866-APD-CARES or
866-273-2273

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

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.

Delmarva Foundation
9240 Centreville Road
Easton, Maryland 21601-7098
Phone: 800-999-3362
Fax: 410-822-7971
For a listing of all APD district offices

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.

For more information about CARF accreditation, or call their main office in Tucson, AZ at 888-281-6531

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.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
2002 Old Saint Augustine Road, Building A
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-4862
Phone: 850-245-3399 (Voice/TDD)
800-451-4327

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.

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.

Web: http://www.carf.org/home/, or
Call their main office in Tucson, AZ at 888-281-6531

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).

Safety Florida Consultation Program
University of South Florida
13201 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 56
Tampa, Florida 33612
866-273-1105
813-974-8270 FAX

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).

Fort Lauderdale Area Office
1000 South Pine Island Road, Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324
Phone: 954-424-0242
Fax: 954-424-3073

Jacksonville Area Office
Ribault Building, Suite 227
1851 Executive Center Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Phone: 904-232-2895
Fax: 904-232-1294

Tampa Area Office
5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A
Tampa, Florida 33610-4249
Phone: 813-626-1177
Fax: 813-626-7015

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a person with a developmental disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited by a relative, caregiver, or household member or, in the case of self-neglect, by themselves, is required to report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Abuse Hotline
Phone: 800-96-ABUSE or 800-962-2873
Adult Protective Services
Florida Dept.of Children & Families
1317 Winewood Boulevard
Building 1, Room 202
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Phone: 850-487-1111
Fax: 850-922-2993

Failure to report known or suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a crime in Florida. When in doubt, report it; it is always better to make a mistake on the side of caution in order to help protect the health, safety, and welfare of people who may not be able to protect themselves. Reports should be made even if the incident happened a long time ago or took place in a school.

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.

To report concerns that do not present an immediate danger or to obtain other assistance, call their toll-free hotline at 800-470-8101 or send an email to pdds_champs@dcf.state.fl.us.

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.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.
124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203
Tallahassee, FL 32301-2981
Phone: 850-488-4180; 800-580-7801 (in FL)

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.

Disability Rights Florida
2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850-488-9071
800-342-0823 Toll-Free