Floridians Selected Inclusion Ambassadors� The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) has selected sixI nclusion Ambassadors� for its statewide grassroots initiative

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Floridians Selected as “Inclusion Ambassadorsâ€

Advocates will Support FDDC’s Statewide Grassroots Effort

August 28, 2008

Coverage:

The Naples Daily News

Santa 's Press Gazette

The Tallahassee Democrat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Developmental Disabilities

Council, Inc. (FDDC) has selected six “Inclusion Ambassadors†for its statewide

grassroots initiative. Advocating on behalf of people with developmental

disabilities in Florida, each Ambassador will take the lead in helping FDDC

educate others on issues facing Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. The

selected individuals include:

Kathleen Buerosse - The Palm Beaches

Hammons - The Tampa Bay Area

Marchetti - Southwest Florida

Pardinas - South Florida

Vickie ee - The Panhandle

Rev. Bob Streater - The Big Bend

State budget cuts have diminished services for many people with

developmental disabilities, and funding is in danger of further reductions. The

results could be devastating for individuals and families, which is why the

roles of Inclusion Ambassadors are so important.

Inclusion Ambassadors across the state will build local networks of support

in their home area. In July, the Ambassadors were invited to take part in

FDDC’s Grassroots Training Day in Tallahassee. The event provided guest

speakers and workshops to prepare them for their roles. Among the topics

discussed were FDDC’s legislative priorities:

Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Home &

Community-based Waiver Services & Funding

Part C / Early Steps Services & Funding

Alternative Revenue Generating Sources for Human

Services & Education

Through contact with policy makers and individual supporters, the

Ambassadors will advocate the importance of “inclusion,†meaning that all

individuals, with and without disabilities, live, learn, work, play and participate

together in all of life’s experiences. FDDC hopes the commitment of Inclusion

Ambassadors and others will contribute to the successful protection of services

for Florida’s citizens with disabilities. For more information, visit FDDC.org.

About the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) is a non-profit

organization funded through federal assistance from the Department of Health

and Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The Council

accomplishes its mission by supporting innovative initiatives that demonstrate

new approaches to enhance the independence, productivity, inclusion and

self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets

of community life. Contact the FDDC by visiting its website at FDDC.org, call

toll-free at or TDD at .

Kim

Hammons

IPUT Informed Parents United Together

Tampa,

Florida

www.iput.org

www.yahoogroups.com

Keyword: " IPUT "