About the Community Advisory Committee

CAC members pose together at CARD's Fiesta fundraiser.

CAC members meet with FCIC faculty and staff

Consumer involvement and input is a crucial component of any UCEDD program. The UCEDD must involve consumers, in the form of a committee, who represent individuals with disabilities in the State, including those who come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Mandated under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is one of the primary advising and guiding bodies for the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities. The CAC is to advise FCIC’s directors and provide guidance and feedback in the development of the 5-year plan. Each year, the CAC also provides guidance and feedback on how the UCEDD is doing with their 5-year plan.

The CAC will assist the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) with improving and enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities by doing the following:

Attending/participating in meetings held 4 times per year;
Serving in an advisory capacity to FCIC;
Assisting with the dissemination of information and resources;
Advising FCIC in development of public policy; and
Advising FCIC staff on project activities.

Overview PPT

Bylaws

Alphabet Soup for Consumer Advisory Committees
(Glossary of Terms)

CAC Members

The majority of the members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) shall be individuals with developmental and related disabilities, and family members. The CAC must also include representatives from state agencies and other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Self-Advocates

Sara Romine, Chairperson
Lakeland, FL

Amanda J. Baker, Vice-Chairperson
Panama City, FL

Rebecca Crosby
Tampa, FL

Damian Gregory
Miami, FL

John Satterwhite
Tampa, FL

Erica Turner
Panama City, FL

Family Representatives

Rosemary Banks
Quincy, FL

Susan Creek
Gainesville, FL

Lynn James
Ft. Myers, FL

Lilly Rangel-Diaz
Miami, FL

Charm Thometz
Carrollwood, FL

Pamela Wainwright
Tallahassee, FL

Laurie Woodard
Tampa, FL

Agency Representatives

Denise Arnold
Bureau Chief of Community Development
Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Debra Dowds
Executive Director
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

John Howell
Area Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Bethany Mathers
Program Specialist
Department of Education BEESS

Leigh Meadows
Program Administrator
Agency for Health Care Administration

Selina O’Shannon
Senior Advocate
Disability Rights Florida

Mark Owens
Case Manager
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Michelle Schladant
Training Director
Mailman Center for Child Development

Liza Smith
Training Director
CMS/Early Steps State Office

Sarah Romine Meet our Chair: Sara Romine

Sara Romine is chair of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Community Advisory Committee and is a self-advocate. Although neglect and abuse from her Romanian orphanage left her with learning and emotional challenges, she chose to rise above them in her relationships, job, and education. Sara works at Cobb Theatres where she was employee of the month and received high scores from two secret shoppers. She is also taking classes at Polk State College in an inclusive setting. On December 1, 2012 she will be marrying a hardworking, educated, and loving young man.

Sara says, “It doesn’t matter what sort of label a doctor tries to put on someone or the level of challenges, we can do anything we put our minds to.”

Membership Application

The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities seeks willing persons with disabilities, their family members, or representatives from community/state agencies who work with people with disabilities to participate on the Community Advisory Council (CAC).

Interested persons should fill out the application form and turn it into the Program Coordinator. This form can be submitted at any time and will be kept on file for consideration when openings on the CAC become available.

Please return your completed application form to:

Nila Benito
Florida Center for Inclusive Communities
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MHC 2113A
Tampa, FL 33612
Fax: (813) 974-6115
Email: benito@usf.edu

*This form is available in alternate formats upon request. Contact 866-818-4797.

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