State rebounds after disabled kids found in adult nursing homes

The state of Florida is on the offense after the Department of Justice uncovered mentally and physically disabled children were being housed in adult nursing homes back in September.

WDBO has learned that two agencies are introducing a new plan to help parents in making decisions regarding placement of their disabled children.

At the Agency for Health Care Administration, Secretary Elizabeth Dudek says she understands the challenge for parents of disabled kids.

"It is difficult to have a child who has a medically complex situation,” Dudek said.

After more than 200 disabled kids were found living in adult nursing homes at their parent's request, WDBO has also learned the AHCA is working with the Florida Department of Health to ensure better communication with parents.

"It's clearly sometimes difficult to make decisions about, you know, 'what are we going to do, and how are we going to do that.'" adds Dudek. "We want to have a personalized face that they can talk to."

The AHCA is doubling the number of visits to kids and adding more caseworkers to advise parents of options.