About Our Cause
“All people, regardless of disability, deserve the opportunity for a full life in their community where they can live, learn, work, and play alongside each other through all stages of life. People with developmental disabilities need varying degrees of support to reach personal goals and establish a sense of satisfaction with their lives.” -Arc of the United States
15,648 Floridians with developmental disabilities are languishing as they wait to receive necessary training and supports, with 2,554 of them having to wait more than five years. This deplorable state of affairs is preventing thousands of Sunshine State residents from fulfilling their potential of living productive lives - we must address this situation.
Whether it’s job placement and coaching, community group employment, adult training programs, supported living arrangements or providing homes, community services meet the need. Funding for these services partially comes from the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver Program; however, there is a growing need in Florida for community services to support these individuals. Unfortunately organizations have had to leave many with little to no hope of ever receiving community services due to the insufficient amount of funding to provide services to these individuals with developmental disabilities who have been waiting for years.
Casino-style slots and other Las Vegas-style games are now operating and generating more than $100 million in annual revenue, allowing the State of Florida to apply for Federal matching dollars that could result in up to $222 million to end the list of people with developmental disabilities waiting to receive community services. The Federal government provides 45 cents to 55 cents match, meaning for every $1 raised by the state, the Federal government will match with $1.22.
With more than $100 million in gaming revenues expected in the state treasury annually, the state of Florida can best use that money to address the needs of individuals who rely on the support of the community they live in. Without assistance, these individuals could be left with no means to lead fulfilling lives.
The emotional, financial and intellectual stress that the waiting list is causing thousands of Floridians who have family members with developmental disabilities is making the situation even worse. In a community environment, providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities allows families to maintain more self-fulfilling lives. By providing training programs, employee placement and job coaching during the day, families and primary caregivers are able to go outside of the home to support their family, which in turn gives back to the community through local revenue. Providing housing within home communities also allows individuals with developmental disabilities to lead independent and inclusive lives.
Using gaming revenues to serve those on the waitlist in community services is a win-win situation for the Florida taxpayer.
Talking Points
- There are 15,648 people with developmental disabilities who are on the waitlist to receive community services as of September 2007
- Individuals with developmental disabilities include people with mental retardation, autism, spina bifida, Prader-Willi Syndrome and cerebral palsy
- Of the 15,648 people on the waitlist, 2,554 have been waiting for services for more than 5 years.
- Casino-style slots and other Las Vegas-style games are now operating and generating more than $100 million in revenue annually for the state of Florida
- That gaming revenue can be best used to support the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver program, allowing Florida to apply for Federal matching dollars that will result in approximately $222 million annually to reduce the growing waitlist of people with developmental disabilities
- The Federal government applies a 45 cents to 55 cents match - meaning for every $1 raised by the state from gaming revenue will be matched with $1.22 from the Federal government
- Community services - serving individuals - is a SOLID INVESTMENT that SAVES 63 percent of taxpayer money compared to institutional services
- Using gaming revenues to serve people with developmental disabilities is a WIN-WIN situation for the Florida taxpayer
- This is the right financial and social choice to make in order to help those individuals who have been waiting for community services for years
About Deborah Linton, Executive Director of The Arc of Florida
Deborah Linton serves as Executive Director of The Arc of Florida, overseeing community, financial and educational development for individuals with developmental disabilities who are receiving community services. Recognizing the current structure of the developmental disabilities community, Linton is tasked with ensuring that the more than 10,000 individuals to whom The Arc of Florida chapters provide services are receiving the quality services and support they need.
Linton is also charged with coordinating educational and informational outreach to the Florida State Legislature and its members. Linton works to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities who have been waiting to receive community services are given the appropriate amount of recognition needed to remedy their situation. Since there are so many people who have been waiting for so long - Linton faces the challenge of contending against numerous public organizations that are striving for the same additional funding. However, Linton and the local Arc of Florida chapters are making significant efforts to END the waitlist of people with developmental disabilities and provide them with the services needed to live self-fulfilling lives.
With more than 27 years of advocacy experience, Linton served as the former Assistant Director for The Arc of Florida, and previously served as the Executive Director for the Leon Advocacy and Resource Center and The Taylor Association for Retarded Citizens.
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