Disabilities

 Team Leaders:

Laurie Sallarulo, Governor Appointee Children's Services Council of Broward County, SHAPE - Students Helping to Achieve Philanthropic Excellence, 305-370-7100
 

Team Members:

Angelo Castillo, Broward House; Audrey Milsaps, Community Volunteer; Cindy Arenberg-Seltzer, Children's Services Council of Broward County; Denise Rusnak, School Board of Broward County; Dennis Haas, ARC of Broward; Ellie Pierce, Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center; Ellyn Okrent, Kids In Distress; Irene Butcher, YMCA of Broward; Jean Miley, Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center; Jim McGuire, Ann Storck; Jon Bandes, Memorial Healthcare Systems; Kathy Gent, Lighthouse of Broward; Mike De Lucca, Broward Regional Health Planning Council; Nancy Lieberman, School Board of Broward County; Wendy Bellack, Parent-to-Parent
 

Mission:

The Broward Disability Team’s focus is on raising awareness of critical issues for children and adults with disabilities: developing/modifying legislation to improve family support/direct services; development of a comprehensive system of care.
 
 Issues:
 
-- Encourages and advocates for legislation that increases funding and support for a comprehensive continuum of care for adults and children with disabilities. Future disability funding should ensure equitable funding based on the actual number of persons diagnosed with a disability in Broward County.
-- Requests participation in the development and implementation of the "New Agency for Persons with Disabilities" to ensure coordination and continuity of services.
-- Stimulates legislation that would require insurance companies to provide the necessary care, ie: therapy services, special medical needs, etc., for children insured under their plans. Additionally, advocates for legislation that provides funding for those children with disabilities who are uninsured or ineligible for Medicaid.
-- Advocates for the elimination of the Broward Medicaid waiver waiting list of approximately 6,000 children and corresponding funding to assist these families to receive desperately needed services. Advocates to exempt children with developmental disabilities and handicap conditions from Medicaid HMO's, which provide little to no access to the necessary services for these children and families.
-- Advocates revisiting the "Natural Environment" philosophy that is negatively impacting children and families in the Early Intervention Program; consider implementing a medical model.
 

Date Submitted: 02/10/10