Tally Rally & Meeting With Jane Johnson Over Rate Cuts

[Red87star]

Standard argumentative rhetoric of redirecting blame back to those who have previously offered sustainable suggestions to deaf ears is an unacceptable response. To even ask for suggestions at this point is expecting outside parties (providers, families, etc) to do her job and that of Rick Scott's to provide a balanced budget proposition but with less than 24 hours notice without the benefit of access to said budgetary details! Really?

[Red87star]

The decision to make such a drastic move in these cuts in such a sudden manner could not have been made overnight. The logistics simply do not allow for an adequate systemic response. For Ms. Johnson to falsely claim prior notification as well as expect an instant response of return notification on a decision as large as shutting down from providers is equally alarming.

[deniseafireofpasco1]

Nicely said Liz! Our ADT also took 2 vans loads to Tampa Bay Downs yesterday, Sunday, to Rally. The Governor was supposed to be there, but again did not show his face to us. We were on Bay News 9 at 5 and News Channel 8 at 6 yesterday. You can see the Channel 8 video on their website.

[LSKdiscus]

I for one would be willing to pay taxes either through state taxes or increase the sale tax. Also if we had a deficite why did the governor and some of his appointee's gave themselves a $20,000 raise. I'm an small agency but also a mother of a young man with autism who is in supported living and depends on a live in, I also have a grandaughter with disablity who lives with me who I depend on for some respite. I agree that wasteful spending needs curtailing but I think it should be higher up

[LSKdiscus]

As far as Ms. Johnston stating that providers are not able to continue or not closing their doors, I think she may have spoken prematurely as time will tell. I'm a very small agency and only take care of a few people, and yes they are people like you and me but need the extra help as they did not choose to be disabled. This past week, I had to let go at least two people because I could not pay them the rate that I was given. I had individual cry because her special buddy was not going to come

[kjn03c]

Maybe you should listen and understand that the funds to ADP will have to come from another deserving constituent group. Perhaps you shouldn't take your societal frustrations out on a woman who is working hard to provide equal funding for ALL people in need. You can be frustrated, but making it personal and calling that woman is immature and unnecessary

[Red87star]

@kjn03c

With all due respect kjn03c, she specifically stated a lack of direct phone calls notifying her of intent to close as a defense predicated on reducing her perceived impact of the cuts.

[dcassidente]

how delusional is she to think that the providers had known about the cuts for weeks and had agreed to them? Where is she geting her information? I was also on the conference call which was a joke. Just a long suggestion box with providers making suggestions and the APD staff saying nothing. Then in the same day we got notice of the cost plan freeze, which again came out of the blue since APD had said nothing about that on the call. Maybe she should listen to the audio posted on APD webiste

[myoung2484]

That 1 person must be a sheep

[NETTYSTEDDY]

I worked...for a small agency as a ihss, respite provider for two individuals up until Monday I was told not to go to work because she didn't even know how to pay me or know how much i was going to be payed. If my employer is going to get payed about $8.80 for Ihss that means she can only pay me about $5.50 to $6.00 per hour she wont let me work because she thinks it is illegal to pay me less than minimal  wage and scared she might get into trouble for that. so here I sit with no JOB... THANKS

[jotho7]

I'm on hold listening to Rick Scott tell me he's creating 700k jobs as my wife and I sit unemployed , hold for 2 min, pretty good, never spoke with Jenifer, I requested what I have requested from every member of the Fla legislation, a balance sheet, nice guy on phone says I can get that from Florida's open government office. Will post again when I see how much they want to charge me for it. Everyone needs to call , especially if you were laid off due to these cuts.

[mangolefty]

Be sure to see the last minute about a guy who is going to the institution!

[mangolefty]

I know providers whose agencies are now paying them $5.95 per hour, less than minimum wage. Same provider carry individuals in thier cars and pay for the gas with no reimubursement.

[deniseafireofpasco1]

We were there with 2 van loads from our ADT - AFIRE of Pasco. I think we should cut from the people who "choose" to have more children while receiving state assistance and cut from the people who "choose" to abuse drugs & alcohol who receive state funding, NOT the people who DID NOT CHOOSE to be developmentally disabled!!! Thank you Aaron Nangle for all you do. Our consumers wrote letters that we brought yesterday and will be sending emails today. Denise Haystrand AFIRE Teaching Director

[kibblesNshasta]

@deniseafireofpasco1

Denise,

I couldn't agree with you more. I believe Florida and National spending budgets should be tiered as well as medicaid, not the med-waiver (which should use iBudgets)...and developmentally disabled individuals should be in Tier 1 every time because they had no choice and did nothing to be in their circumstances, nor did their parents. There should be no waiting lists for dd med-waiver throughout the nation. cont'd...

[kibblesNshasta]

@deniseafireofpasco1 ...cont'd 2

The med-waiver needs to be stabilized and refined (to say the least) so that individuals with DD and their families can finally live their lives and be able to plan for their future. Any one who supports or wants to help make this happen please send me your contact info.

-Liz Bernard