WAITING LIST PRIORITY CATEGORIES

F.S. 393.065(5)

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) waiting list categories are listed from the highest priority to the lowest.

Category 1 is the highest priority. Category 7 is the lowest priority. 

Category 1

Category 1 includes clients deemed to be in crisis as described in Rules 65G-1.046 and 65G1.047, Florida Administrative Code. Crisis includes homelessness, danger to self or others, and caregiver unable to give care.  Documentation required for change: Documentation for this category requires the completion and approval of a crisis application.

Category 2

Category 2 includes individuals with an open case in the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) statewide automated child welfare information system who are either: 1. Transitioning out of the child welfare system at the finalization of an adoption, reunification with family members, a permanent placement with a relative, or a guardianship with a nonrelative; or 2. At least 18 years old but not yet 22 years old and who need both waiver services and extended foster care services; or 3. At least 18 years old but not yet 22 years old who withdrew consent pursuant to s. 39.6251(5)(c) to remain in the extended foster care system.  Documentation required for change: Documentation from DCF that confirms the individual has an open case in the child welfare system and related court or other records.

Category 3

Category 3 includes clients: 1. Whose caregiver has a documented condition that is expected to render the caregiver unable to provide care within the next 12 months and for whom a caregiver is required but no alternate caregiver is available;  Documentation required for change: A description of the condition or circumstance that renders the caregiver unable to provide care. Documentation must explain the reason the current caregiver can no longer provide the individual’s care. If the condition or circumstance is due to a medical condition, a physician’s statement must be provided. 2. Who are at substantial risk of incarceration or court commitment without supports;  Documentation required for change: A summary of incidents in which the individual has engaged in dangerous or criminal charges; a summary of incidents in which the individual has engaged in dangerous behavior; a summary of past history of involvement with the court system or law enforcement, any current involvement with the court system or law enforcement; a summary of any past history of multiple arrests, incarceration in jail, prison, or admission to the mentally retarded defendant program. 3. Whose documented behaviors or physical needs place them or their caregiver at risk of serious harm and other supports are not currently available to alleviate the situation;  Documentation required for change: Description of the behaviors or physical needs that are causing the risk or potential harm and the medical treatment provided to the individual or to others because of the individual’s behaviors or physical needs; and documentation of the frequency, intensity and duration of behavioral incidents with an explanation of behavioral intervention that have been used to address the behaviors. 4. Who are identified as ready for discharge within the next year from a state mental health hospital or skilled nursing facility and who require a caregiver but for whom no caregiver is available or whose caregiver is unable to provide the care needed. April 2016 Version  Documentation required for change: A discharge summary from the facility; a status of available caregivers for the individual and documentation that there are no other available resources or services other than waiver services to meet the individual’s needs.

Category 4

Category 4 includes clients whose caregivers are 70 years of age or older, and for whom a caregiver is required but no alternate caregiver is available.  Documentation required for change: Date of birth of the primary caregiver must be provided as well as documentation that the individual needs a caregiver and no other caregiver is available. Information regarding the health of the caregiver and availability of other caregivers must be included. Acceptable proofs of date of birth include, but are not limited to, birth certificates and state-issued identifications.

Category 5

Category 5 includes clients who are expected to graduate within the next 12 months from secondary school and need support to obtain a meaningful day activity, maintain competitive employment, or to pursue an accredited program of postsecondary education to which they have been accepted.  Documentation required for change: School documentation of the individual’s graduation date and documentation there are no other resources other than waiver funded services to provide the individual with support to obtain or maintain a job, pursue meaningful day activity, or pursue post-secondary education.

Category 6

Category 6 includes clients 21 years of age or older who do not meet the criteria for category 1, category 2, category 3, category 4, or category 5.  Documentation required for change: Individual’s date of birth and that no other category criteria apply. Acceptable proofs of date of birth include, but are not limited to, birth certificates and state-issued identifications.

Category 7

Category 7 includes clients younger than 21 years of age who do not meet the criteria for category 1, category 2, category 3, or category 4. Documentation required for change: Individual’s date of birth and that no other category criteria apply. Acceptable proofs of date of birth include, but are not limited to, birth certificates and stateissued identifications.