The Arc of Florida Advocacy Committee Formed. After receiving all of the responses of surveys, Director of Advocacy Alisha Linton has named the Advocacy Committee. Although the committee had to be restricted in size to be effective and efficient, all individuals who stated on their survey an interest will be included in our advocacy as the process continues. The Arc Advocacy Committee will be the operational arm of our advocacy. The committee will consist of 12 people: four self-advocates, four family members, and four professionals (waiver support coordinators and direct support professionals). The Advocacy Committee will also have an educational component on issues they take up so decisions are made with facts shared by people with expertise. After each meeting, the committee minutes will be shared for feedback from other individuals interested in advocacy. Additionally, individuals not on the advocacy committee will, at some point, be invited to participate in giving feedback or participating in advocacy activities.
We would like to share with you the results of the Community Advocacy Survey that was recently sent to advocates. We learned a lot from the responses, including what our priorities should be and also who is willing to do specific advocacy tasks such as writing editorials and speaking to legislators. The results of the survey will help us create our legislative agenda. The Arc of Florida Government Affairs Committee will be reviewing the results as we discuss our legislative agenda for 2022-23. The Arc Rules Committee will also review the results with an eye to potential opportunities for change as workshops and rule development occur. As you review the survey results, you will see that hiring and keeping direct care staff is ranked number one in importance.
Please note that the survey was distributed prior to this legislative session’s budget increase. Although this issue will still be high on the radar screen, issues such as housing, employment, wait list and adult day training services will also be taken up.
The key results of the survey are as follows: Two hundred and sixty-seven (267) individuals from 43 different counties completed the survey. Of these, 54% were self-advocates, family members or guardians. Thirty-nine percent were direct support professionals, waiver support coordinators or disability services professionals.
Advocacy issues in order of importance were:
1. Hiring and keeping direct care staff
2. Housing
3. Adult Day Training Services
4. Dental Services
5. Employment
6. State institutions for persons with disabilities
7. Other areas including: transportation, financial independence, revamp system, and educating family members
One hundred seventy-six (176) individual respondents committed to sending e-mails to local legislators; 130 individuals committed to sharing personal or family stories as they relate to advocacy; 102 people were willing to serve on The Arc Advocacy Committee; and more than 150 people agreed to attend legislative hearings, write letters to the editor, or speak at disability conferences and meetings. All this being said, we appreciate everyone who took the survey and we are committed to keeping you informed on our efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities so each and every person can live up to their potential. Our first advocacy committee meeting zoom call will be next Thursday, May 12.
