New Board Member. We’re excited to announce our recommendation of Jaclyn (Jackie) Applebaum to The Arc of Florida Board of Directors for the Self Advocate Board of Director position. She has been a resident of Palm Beach County for the last nine years and a member of The Arc of Palm Beach County’s POTENTIALS program. Jackie is a fierce advocate and has represented The Arc at state conventions as well as with state legislators. She began working through The Arc for Otis Elevator in 2016 and has continue her employment with the Otis family since that time. She was nominated twice as Employee of the Year by the Unicorn Foundation and attained that honor in 2019. Jackie represented The Arc at a United Way conference in 2019 and has spoken on behalf of those with disabilities at numerous events through 2022. Welcome Jackie to The Arc family!
Update on APD’s iConnect. If you haven’t heard, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)’s iConnect contract was reviewed by TaxWatch. The goal of the contract was to develop a data management system with capabilities to perform electronic visit verification (EVV), a safeguard against fraud. Concerns with the length of the contract, performance and budget requests have sparked criticism. Read more here.
Our January Provider Forum was last week and had a great turn out. Our goal is to ensure all providers, regardless of size, have access during legislative sessions to current and relevant information regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These meetings are a free service from The Arc of Florida and Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (FARF) and we want to encourage providers to be active in their local community by participating in delegation meetings and the need to speak with one voice at a local and state level.

Joe McCann, Policy Manager for Family Café, will be our guest speaker February 7 and he will discuss his legislative podcasts during legislative session as well as the upcoming Family Café Conference in June. Our agenda will also include updates on iConnect and Developmental Disabilities Day at the Capitol on March 14. Register today!
Thank you for your advocacy! If you want additional information regarding this issues, please contact our CEO Alan Abramowitz at alan@arcflorida.org or 850.241.3232.