An advocacy group has filed a legal challenge against the way the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities is carrying out a plan to revamp funding for developmental-disabilities services.
In a case sent last week to the state Division of Administrative Hearings, the group Disability Rights Florida is challenging proposed rules for what is known as the “iBudget” program.
Lawmakers and APD argue that the program is an improved way to allocate money among people with development disabilities. They say, in part, it gives more people more flexibility in how they spend money on services.
But Disability Rights Florida raises several issues about APD’s proposed rules, including whether some parts of the rules would give the agency “unbridled discretion.”
APD has started gradually moving forward with the iBudget program, with it taking effect first in North Florida. Melanie Mowry Etters, an APD spokeswoman, said Monday the agency is talking with Disability Rights Florida to try to work out differences about the proposed rules.
“We’re having conversations with Disability Rights Florida and other stakeholders, and we’re optimistic that we can hopefully resolve any of the issues that have been raised,” she said.
