APD Disability Home Care in Broward County: A Family Guide

Quick answer: Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) funds in-home care for people with developmental disabilities such as autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and spina bifida. Most of that funding flows through the iBudget Florida Waiver, which gives each participant an individual annual budget to purchase approved services. Covered services include personal care, companion services, respite, in-home supports, supported living coaching, behavior analysis and adult day training.

Expert Home Care for Persons with Disabilities in Broward County

Caring for a family member with a developmental disability is a profound responsibility, and navigating the Florida APD system can feel overwhelming. What services are available? Who qualifies? How do you find an approved provider right here in Broward County?

This guide was written specifically for Broward County families. Whether your loved one has autism, an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or another covered condition, we walk you through everything from understanding the iBudget waiver to choosing a provider who truly understands the needs of people with disabilities. DavidStar Home Care is an AHCA-licensed, APD-knowledgeable agency with background-screened caregivers, available 24/7 and offering a free consultation.

What Is Florida APD?

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is a Florida state agency that supports individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. APD helps people live as independently as possible in their communities — at home, with family, or in supported living arrangements — rather than in institutional settings.

APD serves Floridians with the following developmental disabilities:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder — diagnosed before age 18 and meeting Florida's statutory definition of autism.
• Intellectual Disability — significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, originating before age 18.
• Cerebral Palsy — a group of disorders affecting movement and motor skills, originating in early childhood.
• Down Syndrome — a chromosomal condition causing intellectual disability and developmental delays.
• Spina Bifida — a neural tube defect that affects the spine and may cause mobility and cognitive challenges.
• Prader-Willi Syndrome — a genetic disorder affecting metabolism, behavior, and intellectual development.

It is important to note that not all disabilities qualify for APD services. APD specifically covers developmental disabilities that originate before age 18. Physical disabilities acquired in adulthood, traumatic brain injuries, and mental health conditions are generally served by different Florida agencies and programs. If you are unsure, contact APD directly or ask a support coordinator.

The iBudget Florida Waiver: How APD Funding Works

Most APD-funded home care services in Florida are delivered through the iBudget Florida Waiver, a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that gives individuals and families an individualized annual budget to purchase approved services.

Unlike traditional Medicaid, where the state pays for specific services after the fact, the iBudget gives each participant a personalized spending allocation based on their assessed needs. Families work with a support coordinator to decide which approved services to purchase within their budget.

Key Features of the iBudget Waiver

• Individualized funding — each person's budget is calculated based on their disability, functional needs, living situation, and other factors.
• Consumer direction — participants and families have significant choice in which providers they use and which services they purchase.
• Support coordinators — every iBudget participant is assigned a support coordinator who helps navigate available services and develop an Individual Support Plan (ISP).
• Annual review — budgets and support plans are reviewed at least annually and can be adjusted as needs change.
• Community focus — services are designed to support living in the community rather than in group or institutional settings.

Learn more about how we provide APD waiver support for Broward County families.

Home Care Services Covered Under APD

The iBudget waiver covers a broad range of home and community-based services. The specific services available to each individual depend on their assessed needs and their iBudget allocation:

• Personal Care — assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Companion Services — non-medical supervision, socialization, and assistance with daily activities.
• In-Home Supports — assistance with daily living skills to promote greater independence at home.
• Respite Care — temporary relief for family caregivers, in-home or out-of-home.
• Supported Living Coaching — skills training to support individuals living independently in their own home.
• Behavior Analysis — applied behavior analysis (ABA) services delivered by licensed BCBAs.
• Supported Employment — job coaching and supported employment services for community-based work.
• Adult Day Training — structured day programs focused on life skills, vocational training, and community inclusion.
• Skilled Nursing — licensed nursing services for individuals with complex medical needs.

DavidStar provides several of these directly, including personal care, companion services, and respite care.

How to Apply for APD Services in Broward County

The APD enrollment process has several steps, but each one moves your loved one closer to receiving the support they need:

1. Confirm eligibility. Gather documentation of your loved one's disability diagnosis. APD requires a diagnosis from a qualified professional confirming one of the covered developmental disabilities, with onset before age 18.
2. Apply to APD. Submit an application to your regional APD office. In Broward County, this is the APD South Region office. You can apply online at apd.myflorida.com or by contacting the regional office directly, and include all supporting documentation.
3. Functional assessment. Once enrolled, APD will conduct a functional assessment to evaluate support needs across multiple life domains. This assessment informs the iBudget allocation — the annual funding amount received.
4. Assign a support coordinator. You will be connected with a support coordinator, either from a private support coordination agency or an APD employee, who helps develop the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and connects you with approved providers.
5. Develop your Individual Support Plan. Working with your support coordinator, you will create an ISP that identifies the specific services your loved one needs, the providers who will deliver them, and the goals for the upcoming year.
6. Select your providers and begin services. Once your ISP is approved, you can choose from APD-approved providers in Broward County. Services begin after providers are authorized in the APD system.

Due to high demand, APD waiver enrollment may have a waitlist. However, individuals on the waitlist may still be eligible for Medicaid State Plan services and other supports while they wait. Ask your APD contact about waitlist status and interim resources available in Broward County.

How to Choose the Right APD Home Care Provider

Once you are enrolled in APD services, choosing the right home care provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. Not all agencies are equal, especially when it comes to serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Look for:

• Experience with your loved one's specific disability — ask whether caregivers have experience with autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, or whatever condition your loved one has. Generic experience isn't enough.
• APD-specific knowledge — a good provider understands how the iBudget works, can communicate with your support coordinator, and knows how to document services for APD compliance.
• Caregiver training and screening — all caregivers should pass Level II background screenings. Ask about disability-specific training, behavior support techniques, and first aid/CPR certification.
• Consistency of caregivers — individuals with developmental disabilities often thrive with routine and familiar faces. Ask how the agency ensures the same caregiver is assigned consistently.
• Communication with families — you should receive regular updates and be immediately notified of any incidents or concerns.
• References from other APD families — ask for references specifically from families of persons with disabilities, not just elderly care clients.
• AHCA licensure — verify the agency is licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration at ahca.myflorida.com.

Support for Family Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities

Family caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities carry an extraordinary load, often 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with little relief. APD and community resources in Broward County offer several forms of support specifically for family caregivers.

Respite Care

Respite care — temporary relief for family caregivers — is one of the most important and underused services available through the APD iBudget waiver. Respite can be provided in-home by a trained caregiver, or in out-of-home settings such as respite care facilities or day programs. Even a few hours per week of professional respite care can dramatically improve caregiver wellbeing and prevent burnout.

Consumer-Directed Care Option

Florida's APD program allows an option called Consumer-Directed Care, where the individual or their family can hire and manage their own caregivers — including, in some circumstances, family members — rather than using a provider agency. This option gives families maximum flexibility and control, though it also comes with employer responsibilities including payroll and supervision.

APD Family Care Council

Florida has regional Family Care Councils that advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. The South Region Family Care Council serves Broward County and provides a community of support, information, and advocacy for APD families.

You don't have to navigate this alone. DavidStar Home Care has helped many Broward County families navigate the APD system. Learn more about us or call (954) 248-3538 for a free, no-obligation conversation about how our services can fit into your loved one's support plan.

APD Home Care Services Across Broward County

DavidStar Home Care provides expert home care for persons with disabilities throughout all of Broward County, Florida. Whether you are searching for APD home care in Plantation, disability care services near Fort Lauderdale, or iBudget waiver providers in Pembroke Pines, we are here to help. We serve Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Miramar, Tamarac, Coconut Creek, Margate, Lauderhill, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, and North Lauderdale. See all of the areas we serve.