When you are navigating the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) for an autistic child, it helps to talk with someone who has done it before. Florida built that into law. Family care councils are volunteer groups of people with developmental disabilities and their families who advise APD, gather input from other families and push for better services. Since 2025 there is also a Statewide Family Care Council that collects what local councils hear and reports it to the Governor and the Legislature. This guide explains what the councils do, how a parent can take part, and how to use them to raise a gap in services. It is based on section 393.502, Florida Statutes (2026), and APD's family care council pages as of October 2026.
What is a family care council?
APD says the Florida Legislature created the family care councils in 1993, in each APD service area, "to advise the agency, develop a plan for the delivery of family support services within the local area, and monitor the implementation and effectiveness of services and supports." APD counts 15 local councils across the state.
Today's law, section 393.502(5), says a local council exists in each APD service area "to work constructively with the agency, advise the agency on local needs, identify gaps in services, and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families."
The councils are made up of families and self-advocates, not APD staff. Employees of APD and of the Agency for Health Care Administration cannot serve on a local or statewide council (s. 393.502(2)(b) and (7)(d)). Members volunteer without pay, though the law allows reimbursement of travel expenses.
What do local councils do?
Section 393.502(6) lists the local councils' duties. They must:
- help provide information and do outreach to people with developmental disabilities and their families;
- hold family listening sessions at least twice a year to gather input on local service delivery problems;
- hold a public forum every 6 months to get public feedback on what the council has done;
- share information with other local councils;
- identify policy issues for the community and family support system in the region; and
- send the Statewide Family Care Council an annual report by September 1 with proposed policy changes, program recommendations and service delivery problems in the region.
Local councils must meet at least six times a year, in person or by teleconference or other electronic means (s. 393.502(10)). APD's page says councils host monthly meetings and families can attend virtually or in person. Most councils also partner with local groups on community forums, events and conferences.
What is the Statewide Family Care Council?
Chapter 2025-130, Laws of Florida (CS/CS/HB 1103), effective July 1, 2025, created the Statewide Family Care Council in section 393.502(1). Its purpose is "to connect local family care councils and facilitate direct communication between local councils and the agency."
| Local family care council | Statewide Family Care Council | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | One in each APD service area | Statewide |
| Members | 10 to 15, recommended by the council and appointed by the Governor; at least 3 must be people receiving or waiting for APD services; the rest are parents, grandparents, guardians or siblings | Governor-appointed: one representative from each local council (including at least one person on the waiver and one in pre-enrollment), one person from a disability advocacy organization, and one from a service provider without an APD Medicaid waiver contract |
| Terms | 3 years, one reappointment | Staggered 2- and 4-year first terms, then 4 years, one reappointment |
| Meetings | At least 6 a year | At least quarterly |
| Main report | Annual report to the statewide council by September 1 | Annual report by December 1 to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and APD |
| APD's duty | Administrative support, training, publishing reports | A written response within 60 days with an action plan and timeline, or reasons for not adopting a recommendation |
The 60-day written response is the strongest feature for families. Section 393.502(1)(c) says APD must specify "whether recommendations will be implemented and provide a timeline for implementation or include justification if recommendations are not adopted." APD must also post all local and statewide annual reports on its website within 15 days of receiving them (s. 393.502(14)). The statewide council's annual report must also assess how APD responded to earlier recommendations from local councils.
Can a parent join a council?
Yes. Parents, grandparents, guardians and siblings of people who have developmental disabilities and qualify for APD services make up most of each local council. The rules in section 393.502(7) and (8):
- Appointment: the local council recommends members by majority vote and the Governor appoints them. A family-led nominating committee proposes candidates for vacancies. If the Governor has not acted within 45 days, the council can choose an interim member from the nominating committee's candidates.
- Grandparents: the grandchild's parent or legal guardian must consent and report that consent to APD.
- Limits: no one who serves on another APD board or council; no two members related within the third degree on the same council at the same time.
- Training: new members must finish APD's council training within 90 days of appointment, or they are considered to have resigned (s. 393.502(13)).
APD says anyone interested should "contact the local FCC chair or regional APD liaison." You do not need to be a member to take part: you can attend meetings, speak at the public forums and come to listening sessions. Committees can include non-members too (s. 393.502(9)(b)).
How can a council help my family?
A council is not a case manager and cannot approve services for your child. What it can do:
- Share experience. Members include parents who have applied to APD, waited on the list, used the iBudget waiver or CDC+, and dealt with transition at 18. APD's category sheet calls the local council "a resource for families to discuss" pre-enrollment, run by families and self-advocates.
- Point you to local resources. APD says councils share information about programs, services and resources available in Florida.
- Carry your problem upward. If many families in your region face the same barrier, such as no respite providers or long gaps between waiver offer and services, the council can include it in its September report, which goes to the statewide council and then to APD and lawmakers.
How do I raise a service gap?
- Find your local council. Visit the Family Care Councils of Florida website, fccflorida.org, which lists all 15 area councils, or call 1-800-470-8101 (the number on APD's family care council page).
- Go to a listening session or public forum. These happen at least twice a year and every 6 months.
- Bring a short, specific summary. For example: "In our county, families with iBudget respite approved cannot find a provider. We waited 5 months." Facts, dates and numbers carry weight. Leave out your child's private details unless you choose to share them.
- Ask that it go in the annual report due to the statewide council by September 1.
- Read the reports. Check APD's website for the posted council reports and APD's written responses.
For an individual problem, such as a denial, a support plan dispute or a waiver decision about your own child, go to your support coordinator, your APD regional office and, if needed, a legal advocate. See Disability Rights Florida and other free advocacy help.
Where do family care councils fit with other help?
Councils are one piece. To check whether your child qualifies for APD, start with APD and autism eligibility. For a full list of programs, see benefits for an autistic child in Florida. CARD centers give free autism guidance and referrals, and your family's health plan may cover ABA now, whatever your child's APD status.
Hope Center for Behavior Change provides ABA therapy, parent training and mental health therapy for Florida families. We are a private provider, not an APD waiver provider. We accept Florida Blue, Aetna, Cigna, UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East, offer self-pay with a sliding scale, and have no waitlist. If your child has Medicaid, center policy does not allow self-pay at Hope Center; you can add marketplace or employer insurance, which we accept, and the sliding scale can help with your share. Request a free consultation or call 561-337-8865.