The Landscape of IDD in Florida: Core Challenges & Data Insights

What would you do if your child needed services tomorrow?

For 21,471 Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this isn't hypothetical—it's their daily reality. As someone who witnesses the devastating impact of these delays through Gem Support Services, I can tell you that behind every statistic is a family at their breaking point.

The Stark Reality: By the Numbers

Current Waitlist Crisis:

• 21,471 individuals on the iBudget preenrollment list (December 2024)

  

• Down from 22,372 in January 2023—but still thousands in limbo

• Each number represents a family waiting for life-changing services

The Human Cost:

• 75% of families wait 6-20 years for waiver approval

• 40%+ experience "extremely serious effects" from delays

• Families forced into crisis before accessing support

The Implementation Gap: Where Policy Meets Reality

Legislative Promises vs. Results:

The 2025 legislative session set ambitious goals, but execution tells a different story:

• Target: Enroll 400 high-priority individuals in FY 2024-2025

• Reality: Only 56 enrolled by February 2025

• Unused funding: $32.7 million projected to revert to state coffers

This isn't a funding problem—it's an implementation crisis.

The Path Forward: Turning Crisis into Action

What needs to change:

• Bridge bureaucratic processes with human needs

• Implement clearer communication protocols

• Ensure allocated resources reach families

• Demand accountability for legislative implementation

How we can help right now: At Gem Support Services, strategic advocacy and system navigation help families cut through administrative barriers. But lasting change requires systemic reform that prioritizes implementation alongside legislation.

The bottom line: Florida can't afford NOT to fix this crisis.

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