Gaining this Knowledge can give you the Power to Act!

This section will help you to understand the difference between a service and a support, and why people in the disability system sometimes use these words interchangeably. You will also learn about the role of a support coordinator, along with suggestions for working with a support coordinator to obtain the best results for your loved one.

Many families don't understand how the Developmental Disabilities Program in Florida works, or how its services are funded. Others are mystified about the meaning of a term they hear often: the Medicaid Waiver.

Most people aren't aware of some of the ways they can keep up with the latest changes occurring in the Developmental Disabilities Program.

This section will cover the basic points above, as well as guide you in directions where you can learn more. This information relates to the services and supports that your loved one needs now, as well as what will be needed in the future.

Remember, as a parent/family caregiver, there are always steps you can take and information you can use to obtain the appropriate services and supports that you loved one needs and wants.

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DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The information in this section is not meant to substitute for a knowledgeable support coordinator. It is strictly for informational purposes and describes facts about services and supports in the Developmental Disabilities Program that are true in Florida in the year 2002. This information should be reviewed for its currency in the future, and updated as needed.