Press Release - Director Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities

[Guest guest]

GOVERNOR BUSH NAMES MICHELLE "SHELLY" BRANTLEY AS DIRECTOR OF AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - New director brings social and developmental services expertise to new Agency~ TALLAHASSEE- Governor Jeb Bush today named Brantley Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Brantley currently serves as the Director of Developmental Disabilities for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She will begin her new duties as ADP director on October 1 "As Director of Developmental Disabilities for DCF, has proven her ability to effectively lead and address some of the most daunting challenges affecting Florida's persons with disabilities," Governor Bush said. "Her experience, passion and dedication to serving will be integral in continuing the progress we've made in providing quality services to those with mental and physical disabilities. I'm pleased she has agreed to serve, and I know she will be an exceptional director for this new agency." Before joining DCF, Brantley served as a both a Bureau Chief and Administrator for the Agency for Health Care Administration, where she was responsible for administering the Long-Term Care and Behavioral Health Care unit. Additionally, she was responsible for managing Home and Community Based Waiver programs for individuals with disabilities, policy development for state nursing homes, mental hospitals and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled."It is a great honor and privilege to serve persons with disabilities," said Brantley, incoming director of APD. " I look forward to continuing to work with so many devoted families and advocates on common goals to support positive outcomes in the lives of the people we serve." Brantley is a member of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Employment and Inclusive Community Living and Transition for Persons with Disabilities, served as a member of the Governor's Guardianship and Developmental Disabilities Workgroup, and Co-Chair for the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Community Living Task Force. She was also the recipient of the Productivity Award from 2001-2003. Brantley received both her Bachelor's and Master's degree from Florida State University.