FDDC Connections: July 2026 | | Stay connected with the most important news from the FDDC! | | |
For more than 30 years, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has worked alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and support professionals across our state.
In Fiscal Year 2025, we continued that work with strong progress in Year 4 of our 5-year state plan, providing training, sharing practical tools, and advocating for meaningful systems change. Together, these efforts help people with I/DD live healthy, meaningful lives in their communities.
Our Annual Report highlights these efforts and shares how federal funding supports projects that improve policies, programs, and opportunities statewide.
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During The Family Café, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) celebrated the power of connection, leadership, and advocacy.
Pictured with Dr. Chris Reeves are Dr. Jennifer Chung, Program Director, and Council Member Charlotte Temple.
We are grateful for opportunities to come together with partners and leaders who support inclusion and meaningful change for Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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A special thank you to Stacey Hoaglund, FDDC’s Florida Partners in Policymaking® Coordinator, for sharing the impact of PIP during The Family Café.
Through leadership training, advocacy education, and community connection, PIP helps graduates use their voices to support positive change at the local, state, and federal levels.
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Florida Partners in Policymaking® alumni continue to show what advocacy looks like in action!
We were proud to see PIP graduates connecting, learning, and sharing their voices during The Family Café. Their leadership helps strengthen communities and build a more inclusive Florida for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Drowning is the #1 cause of death in autism, and unfortunately, Florida leads the way in child drownings resulting in death.
Drowning is silent and takes as little as two inches of water and less than 30 seconds.
This summer, let's prioritize learning about water safety to prevent such tragedies. The Autism Society of Florida provides training to swim instructors on how to teach kids and adults with autism to swim, advocates legislatively for drowning prevention initiatives, and provides grants to programs that support people with autism.
Find practical safety tips and downloadable sheets for caregivers and family members on their website.
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The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. is pleased to release Request for Bids #2026-AF-9700 Housing For Aging Families Enabling Technology Strategies.
Copies of the Bid, Work Plan Template, and Budget Request Form can be downloaded from the FDDC website through the first link in our comments.
⌛Date of Release: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
⌛Due Date: All submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Bid results will be posted on the FDDC website (fddc.org) on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
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The August 3 AMPLIFY! topic is “Adaptive Fashion and Shopping Accessibility.”
FL SAND leaders and Fellows are on Zoom on the first Monday of each month to give self-advocates the opportunity to share their questions, thoughts, and experiences related to disability advocacy in the Sunshine State.
| | FL SAND FELLOWS DEADLINE: AUGUST 15 | | |
The FL SAND ("Self Advocates Network'D") Fellows Leadership Program is an immersive training program for experienced self-advocate leaders committed to further development of problem-solving, leadership, and advocacy skills.
Applications are being accepted for the 2026-2027 fellowship year. The application deadline is August 15.
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| "Our Work Matters" Podcast Series | | |
In Episode 4 of the Our Work Matters Podcast, Jeanne Farr, CEO of NADD, and Celeste Harvey, Associate Professor at The Chicago School, discuss the important topic of dual diagnosis, when a person with I/DD also experiences mental health concerns.
NADD is an association dedicated to supporting people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. This episode explores:
-Mental health and I/DD
-Challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and support
-How NADD is helping improve care for people with dual diagnosis
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"Our Care Matters" Video Spotlights | | |
Every story shared has the power to make a difference.
The Our Care Matters video series has now reached 1,096,795 video plays, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched, shared, and supported these stories.
Every view helps amplify the voices of Floridians with developmental disabilities and their caregivers, fostering greater understanding and inspiring meaningful change.
If you haven't had a chance to watch the series, we invite you to take a few minutes to hear these powerful stories from communities across Florida.
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In The News
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