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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1387 |
| Statewide Epilepsy Services Program Funding |
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| Requester: |
Karen Basha Egozi |
Organization: |
Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Inc. |
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| Project Title: |
Statewide Epilepsy Services Program Funding |
Date Submitted |
1/3/2008 1:59:27 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Rich |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The Statewide Epilepsy Services Program Funding project will allow for decreases in breakthrough seizures for people with epilepsy and an improved quality of life for those afflicted with the medical disorder living in Florida. The project will provide the State of Florida with decreased costs for emergency room visits approximated at $2,500 per visit, keeping children successful in school and lower unemployment rate for people with epilepsy. |
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| Recipient: |
Epilepsy Foundation of Florida |
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Contact: |
Karen Basha Egozi |
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7300 N. Kendall Dr., Suite 700 |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 670-4949 |
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Miami 33156 |
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Contact email: |
kegozi@efof.org |
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| Counties: |
{Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Epilepsy represents a nationwide hidden health crisis costing $12.5 billion in treatment, resources and lost productivity at work and home. In Florida 360,000 residents have epilepsy (or 13% of the nation�s total population with epilepsy). The seven Epilepsy Service providers currently providing services in Florida have not received an increase in state funding for direct services since 1990 - although the number of patients in Florida has grown to over 360,000 and the cost for medical services has vastly increased. The program currently serves 4,600 patients at an annual cost of $1,400 per patient of which the State of Florida contributes $530 per patient. Because of the high cost of medical services, many of these patients are on backlogs for needed medical tests and necessary medications.
The Statewide Epilepsy Services Program Funding project will increase medical services and medications to current patients and provide an additional 1,600 children and adults with epilepsy and seizure disorders at the local, county and state level with clinical services, medication and counseling programs. Clinical services will include initial neurological evaluations, follow-up examinations, medical treatment, blood tests, electroencephalograms and other tests as required. Neuropsychological services are also provided in certain counties. The program will also provide emergency medication to help patients who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of prescription medicines and who do not qualify for the State of Florida Anti-Epileptic Drug Program which is currently not accepting new applicants. Counseling programs include Individual Assessment Plans, client guidance, service referrals and other social services. The increased funding will allow for services to a total of 6,200 patients or close to 2% of the total Florida population of people with epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida serves as the lead agency for the Department of Health. Our mission is to help society better understand the disorder and foster a change in people�s attitude based on real facts, not fiction. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is an affiliate of the national Epilepsy Foundation.
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Epilepsy clients living in Florida will have reduced seizures in turn allowing patients to seek jobs and increase their overall quality of life. The reduction in seizures will also result in reduced emergency room visits, less traffic accidents and a lower unemployment rate for epilepsy patients living in Florida. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$2,200,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$8,640,316 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$2,056,853 |
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In-kind Amount |
$1,944,503 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2007-2008 |
Amount: |
$2,438,870 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$4,256,870 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Health, Department Of |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Yes |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Agency Needs Assessments and wait list for services |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami-Dade Delegation |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
