NAPLES, FL - February 10, 2024 - Stephanie Nordin, a mother of twins with autism and Founder/Executive Director of Autism Collier, co-founded a new family-led, family-driven grassroots movement called We the People, By the People, For ALL the People. At the heart of the group's mission is for families to meet with their local legislators, and create connections by sharing their personal stories. The group is committed to raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and breaking down barriers that hinder the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in all aspects of society.
Following a personal crisis, Nordin's son Logan fell from a second-story window at his private school, leading to a 385-day wait for assistance from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This experience prompted Nordin to reach out to local lawmakers, sparking a positive shift in their support for families in similar situations.
On February 7, 2024, the FDDC (Florida Developmental Disability Council) hosted Developmental Disability Awareness Day in the Capitol, marking a pivotal moment for advocacy. Remarkably, on the second anniversary of her son Logan's accident, the entire Florida Senate demonstrated unified support by cosponsoring and passing SB 1758 early Wednesday morning, legislation aimed at bolstering services for individuals with disabilities throughout Florida. This milestone reflects the concerted efforts and bipartisan collaboration in prioritizing the needs of those with developmental disabilities.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and the original Bill sponsor, Jason Brodeur, took a moment to recognize Nordin and her family, as well as the 2024 Idelio Award recipient and self-advocate JJ Holmes. JJ and his mother, Allison, have been advocating tirelessly for years. He exemplifies resilience and dedication. JJ has been on the waiting list to receive help for 17 years, making his advocacy even more poignant and urgent. This legislation mandates the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to develop and execute an online application system with receipts. It also accelerates the crisis eligibility determination timeline from 45 days to 15 days and adjusts the age threshold for aging caregivers from 70 to 60 and a few other actionable items. Additionally, the bill allocates $39 million to support the expansion of the workforce in this sector.
Florida currently ranks 49th in the country for funding services for people with disabilities, leaving a waitlist of 23,000 people (https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/mar/14/nikki-fried/fact-checking-nikki-frieds-claim-about-floridasme/) This Bill, along with several others will bring record change for those with developmental disabilities.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo's Live Healthy Initiative Bill (SB7016) has allocated enough funds to remove many from the waitlist. In addition, House Representative James Buchanan has a similar Bill moving forward that allocates funds to further reduce Florida's hefty line for long-term care solutions. (HB 1271).
Nordin's advocacy efforts have united over a thousand families, creating a collective voice for change. Just a few months ago, Nordin, along with co-founders Thomas Nurse and Amanda Hayes, motivated by their struggles navigating the bureaucratic maze that families with developmental disabilities often face, began holding weekly Zoom meetings and launched a Facebook group that has quickly grown to over 600 members, to provide support to and organize developmental disabilities families across Florida.
Nordin invited families, allies, and supporters to join in the Capitol to amplify their voices for Developmental Disability Awareness Day, now also known as Logan Lives Day, and this year, hundreds of families gathered in celebration, hand-in-hand in solidarity and advocacy.