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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2002

President's Message

By Sharon Griffith, President and Ceo
Kudos to Senator Stephen Wise and Representative Carl Littlefield, sponsors of a bill approved this past Session for a program to provide personal care attendants for persons with brain/spinal cord injuries to enter the workforce. Many thanks also to other Legislators who supported the bill.

The "Personal Care Attendant Program" will be self-funded through sales tax collections. Like most new endeavors, it will take time to collect sufficient funds to begin the program. This innovative approach draws upon the expertise and institutional skills of several agencies. The Able Trust is a collaborative partner with the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living, State Attorney's Office, Department of Revenue, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program and the Agency for Health Care Administration/Medicaid Program. Together these organizations will work over the coming months to implement the program at five pilot sites in Florida. The ultimate goal: providing opportunities for citizens with brain or spinal cord injuries to become independent and self-sufficient.

The Able Trust is proud to be a part of this unique program, which can possibly be replicated throughout the State in the years ahead. We will be sure to provide updates on the new "Personal Care Attendant Program" in our newsletter and on the website at www.abletrust.org, so be sure to check back with us for more information.

In the meantime, we hope you will get involved in the many activities The Able Trust has planned for the coming months. The Ability Awards, annual gala or Youth Leadership Forum are just some of the many ways you can ensure that the disability community is fully represented in today's workplace and society.