Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 26, 2005

CONTACT: SCOTTIE HOWELL (850) 414 - 0488

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today signed the State Budget that provides the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) with more than $1.2 billion to provide services for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The budget allows the agency to reach more citizens awaiting services.

"Governor Bush has once again followed through on his commitment to Floridians with disabilities," said APD Director Shelly Brantley. "Through the exceptional leadership of Governor Bush and unprecedented support from the Florida Legislature, our budget has increased by more than 140 percent over the last seven years to provide critical services and support for persons with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential in the home and community."

Though funding for services has increased each year since 1999, a growing number of people are awaiting services. The Governor and the Agency have made a priority of reaching those people on the waiting list.

Home and Community Based Services, $748 million - The largest portion of the APD budget goes to the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver. This budget allocates more than $748 million for HCBS, representing an increase of six percent over 2004-05.

Family and Supported Living Waiver, $50 million - The Family and Supported Living waiver has been expanded to include children for the first time. To help reach this expanded population, the budget signed by the Governor appropriates nearly $50 million for the next fiscal year, an increase of over $20 million from 2004-05.

For more information on the State's budget, visit www.myflorida.com.