WHAT IS THE FCC?
The Family Care Council (FCC) are groups of volunteers who advocate for all people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Florida Legislature established the FCC in 1993 (Chapter 393.502, Florida Statutes).
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FCC?
WHO CAN BE A MEMBER OF THE FCC?
The FCC membership consists of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as, parents, siblings, and guardians of persons with developmental disabilities who qualify for APD services. Each council is made up of 10 – 15 members appointed by the Governor
of Florida. The council membership reflects the geographical areas and the various disabilities, ethnicity, and ages served by the agency. All interested persons are encouraged to become committee members of their local councils.
HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FCC?
Official FCC members are appointed by the Governor. Per the statute, each potential member must first be recommended for appointment by a majority vote of the local council. The application (Questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments) must be submitted to the Governor by the council recommending the applicant for appointment. Local council bylaws determine the number of meeting attendance required before recommending an applicant. Several councils have established “council associates” through
their bylaws for persons wanting to be involved but do not qualify or wish to be appointed by the Governor. These members may serve on committees. Their only restriction is voting.
WHAT KIND OF THINGS DOES THE FCC DO?
There are 15 FCC' s in Florida. Each council is independent from the others. Most FCC's are active with other local organizations and partner to provide community forums, events, and conferences to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities and their
families. Activities of the councils also include newsletters, surveys, and reviews of current policy changes within the agency. Council members are also requested to sit on committees making determinations in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities.
Title XXIX Chapter 393 Section 502
PUBLIC HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FAMILY CARE COUNCIL
303.52 Family Care Councils.
(1) CREATION.—There shall be established and located within each service area of the agency a family care council.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.--
(a) Each local family care council shall consist of at least 10 and no more than 15 members recommended by a majority vote of the local family care council and appointed by the Governor.
(b) At least three of the members of the council must be consumers. One such member shall be a consumer who received services within the 4 years prior to the date of recommendation, or the legal guardian of such a consumer. The remainder of the council members shall be parents, guardians, or siblings of persons with developmental disabilities who qualify for services pursuant to this chapter.
(c) A person who is currently serving on another board or council of the agency may not be appointed to a local family care council.
(d) Employees of the agency are not eligible to serve on a local family care council.
(e) Persons related by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree shall not serve on the same local family care council at the same time.
(f) A chair for the council shall be chosen by the council members to serve for 1 year. A person may serve no more than four 1-year terms as chair.
(3) TERMS; VACANCIES.
(a) Council members shall be appointed for a 3-year term, except as provided in subsection (8), and may be reappointed to one additional term.
(b) A member who has served two consecutive terms shall not be eligible to serve again until 12 months have elapsed since ending his or her service on the local council.
(c) Upon expiration of a term or in the case of any other vacancy, the local council shall, by majority vote, recommend to the Governor for appointment a person for each vacancy.
The Family Care Council (FCC) are groups of volunteers who advocate for all people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Florida Legislature established the FCC in 1993 (Chapter 393.502, Florida Statutes).
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FCC?
- The FCC are located in each service area of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (“APD” or “Agency”) to: Assist in providing information and outreach to families
- Review the effectiveness of APD programs and make recommendations about program implementation
- Advise APD about policy issues concerning community and family support systems in the local area and to Meet and share information with other FCC.
WHO CAN BE A MEMBER OF THE FCC?
The FCC membership consists of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as, parents, siblings, and guardians of persons with developmental disabilities who qualify for APD services. Each council is made up of 10 – 15 members appointed by the Governor
of Florida. The council membership reflects the geographical areas and the various disabilities, ethnicity, and ages served by the agency. All interested persons are encouraged to become committee members of their local councils.
HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE FCC?
Official FCC members are appointed by the Governor. Per the statute, each potential member must first be recommended for appointment by a majority vote of the local council. The application (Questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments) must be submitted to the Governor by the council recommending the applicant for appointment. Local council bylaws determine the number of meeting attendance required before recommending an applicant. Several councils have established “council associates” through
their bylaws for persons wanting to be involved but do not qualify or wish to be appointed by the Governor. These members may serve on committees. Their only restriction is voting.
WHAT KIND OF THINGS DOES THE FCC DO?
There are 15 FCC' s in Florida. Each council is independent from the others. Most FCC's are active with other local organizations and partner to provide community forums, events, and conferences to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities and their
families. Activities of the councils also include newsletters, surveys, and reviews of current policy changes within the agency. Council members are also requested to sit on committees making determinations in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities.
Title XXIX Chapter 393 Section 502
PUBLIC HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FAMILY CARE COUNCIL
303.52 Family Care Councils.
(1) CREATION.—There shall be established and located within each service area of the agency a family care council.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.--
(a) Each local family care council shall consist of at least 10 and no more than 15 members recommended by a majority vote of the local family care council and appointed by the Governor.
(b) At least three of the members of the council must be consumers. One such member shall be a consumer who received services within the 4 years prior to the date of recommendation, or the legal guardian of such a consumer. The remainder of the council members shall be parents, guardians, or siblings of persons with developmental disabilities who qualify for services pursuant to this chapter.
(c) A person who is currently serving on another board or council of the agency may not be appointed to a local family care council.
(d) Employees of the agency are not eligible to serve on a local family care council.
(e) Persons related by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree shall not serve on the same local family care council at the same time.
(f) A chair for the council shall be chosen by the council members to serve for 1 year. A person may serve no more than four 1-year terms as chair.
(3) TERMS; VACANCIES.
(a) Council members shall be appointed for a 3-year term, except as provided in subsection (8), and may be reappointed to one additional term.
(b) A member who has served two consecutive terms shall not be eligible to serve again until 12 months have elapsed since ending his or her service on the local council.
(c) Upon expiration of a term or in the case of any other vacancy, the local council shall, by majority vote, recommend to the Governor for appointment a person for each vacancy.