New Clients

Clients are referred to and come to AFI through various routes. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) refers some clients, as we are a state Medicaid provider and licensed adult day training (ADT) provider. AFI is proud to be a chosen provider for the new State of Florida pilot Medicaid managed care program, Florida Community Care. We receive client referrals from this program because many of these clients and families have been awaiting state Medicaid services for years. As part of this program, the state selected qualified ADT providers willing to accept a negotiated rate to provide services for some of the state’s most vulnerable.

Additionally, AFI receives referrals through social workers and support coordinators who work directly with clients and families to oversee their care. AFI also receives client referrals through word of mouth or direct referrals from other families, care providers, and through other related associations and organizations. Once referred, clients are assessed by the program director to ensure they meet the state licensing requirements for a 1:10 ratio of care.

AFI serves adult clients over the age of 18 who are diagnosed with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities as defined by Florida Statute Section 393.063, which occurred before age 18. This constitutes a substantial handicap that can be reasonably expected to continue indefinitely:

• Intellectual disabilities (Full Scale IQ of 70 or below)
• Severe forms of autism
• Spina bifida cystica or myelomeningocele
• Cerebral palsy
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Down syndrome
• Phelan-McDermid syndrome

The client’s days start early, as they make their way to AFI via one of three ways. They may ride one of the two AFI-run and operated buses. Alternatively, they may be transported via Citrus Connection as part of our partnership with their para services. Lastly, some clients are transported via private transport, such as a family member or group home.

Once at AFI, the clients make their way to their homeroom. The structured programming starts at 7:30 AM. Throughout the day, clients rotate through various classrooms and workshops learning via hands-on life skills programs. AFI offers in-depth programming with curated content that covers Healthy Lifestyles, Art, Culinary skills, Gardening, Budgeting, Home & Personal Safety, Science, Emotional Health, Cultural Studies, and a myriad of other subjects. In addition to the lesson plan work, the client’s specific needs and goals are addressed one-on-one with individual attention from our Lead Skills instructor. AFI has clients of varying abilities, so we found it important to provide one-on-one attention several times per week. Additionally, this option provides them with more choices in their specific programming and goals.

Depending on the day, AFI also offers clients the opportunity to go on community-based outings to various parks and green spaces, local businesses, civic organizations, and events, all in hopes of greater integration and furthering their self-confidence. As part of AFI’s UWCF Healthy Lifestyle grant program, clients are encouraged and incentivized to pack a healthy lunch, so at noon, they will find themselves in our community enjoying their lunch together. It is a favorite time of day for them, as they enjoy the company of their friends and AFI family. Lunch teaches them many things, including table manners and etiquette, social skills, and the shared responsibilities of cleaning up after themselves.

After lunch, there is much excitement because that means recreation time. Recreation time is a time of personal choice, games, puzzles, karaoke, dance-offs, movies, and general socialization. The clients find themselves in a community where they feel seen, heard, valued, and respected by their counterparts. It is also a time for them to catch up on all the happenings in their individual lives with each other.

After recreation time, it is time to prepare them to go home. The program at AFI runs 5 days a week until 3:30 PM. The clients are called when their bus or ride arrives. They grab their lunch box, projects, and personal items, and head off to their respective home environments. It is always heartwarming to watch them wish each other well until the next day.

The above describes a typical day at AFI; however, our days, weeks, and years are also loaded with many special occasions and additional celebrations. Our staff takes great pride in making sure no one’s birthday or special occasion goes unrecognized. The celebrations and fun continue with numerous special events, including celebratory parties for all the many holidays, a Valentine’s Day dance, a yearly talent show, a fall tailgate party, an Irish jig, a Halloween costume contest and Dance-a-thon, a spring petting zoo, an Easter extravaganza, visits from Santa at Christmas, all along with continuing community guest speaker engagements throughout the year. This year, Publix helped them celebrate an amazing Thanksgiving meal together. Often, AFI clients’ only opportunity for a holiday celebration in the community comes during their time at the program. The importance of this is not lost on us, as it is critical to the community we serve. The program at AFI is open for clients 245 days/year, and it serves as a place of happiness and enrichment for an often-neglected sector of our society.

Often, AFI takes clients to community events and on outings to various locations such as Publix Supermarkets, Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland Public Library, various Museums, theatres, Bonnet Springs Park, bowling, etc., with the focus being on education related to enhanced community and personal safety, integration, pedestrian safety, scheduling, budgeting, and socialization.

In addition to the above, the administrative staff takes every opportunity to better educate the community at large about the difficulties and differences of our population through various public speaking opportunities.