Fwd: It Happened at Bishop Grady Villas

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Gene & Lila Klausman wrote: Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:55:27 -0500To: undisclosed-recipients:;Subject: It Happened at Bishop Grady VillasDear Friends and Supporters,We've been holding our breath awaiting news of a Med Waiver contract for Bishop Grady Villas in St. Cloud as a new provider for APD. I received the news just before Christmas. Their contract covers ADT-Facility Based, ADT-Off Site, Res Hab, Respite Care, Supported Employment-Individual, Transportation. I was informed that they are also awaiting licensing for Personal Care Assistant and Companion. For those of us who have been advocating for broadening residential options in terms of congregate living, this is a major victory.

Bishop Grady has set a standard for a beautifully designed community, which includes features of safety, superb amenities, model housing, opportunities for work and interaction with the community at large, and a full array of daily activities. All of this defies the notion of "institution." Proximity issues couched in the offensive Thousand Foot rule and the 10% density rule have intentionally blocked the development of planned residential communities and made them ineligible for Med Waiver funding. We have gained a new definition of "Choice." "Congregate" is now an OK word!Although there will probably be many issues to iron out in terms of reimbursement rates for services, we now have major access to funding. We have also accomplished our objective of getting the state to work cooperatively with a private organization and vice versa.Thanks to all of you who have worked to support this endeavor. Special thanks to Mr.

Steve Roth, APD Administrator of Area 7 for his assistance in making this possible and to the Family Care Council Area 7 for their advocacy. Thanks to the Catholic Diocese of Orlando for their bold step forward in the interests of our special needs family members.While we have achieved a major victory in setting a precedent for planned residential communities, we still have a long way to go. Bishop Grady was already licensed as an Assisted Living Facility which facilitated a contract with APD. There are many other grass roots initiatives that may not be able to go this route, and so we need to continue our efforts to amend Ch. 419.001 F.S. to indicate clearly the intent and limitation of the Thousand Foot Rule to residential neighborhoods only. We again appeal to you to recognize the discrimination by authorities who misapply the law and to work with your legislators to correct this misapplication.Best wishes to all for

a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.Lila Klausman, Pres.Parents Planning Programs (PPP), Inc.Associate Member Family Care Council Area 7.Always sunny in Miami...

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