BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
While there were a number of asks from local government and community groups at last week’s legislative delegation meeting, The Arc of Bradford County with members of The Arc of Florida presented Sen. Jennifer Bradley with their 2025 Legislative Champion Award.
Bradley cosponsored a bill that improved transparency at the Agency for Persons with Disability, created greater access to services, and empowered family voices in receiving services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I’m proud to say that I live in her district. As the CEO of the Arc of Bradford County, I’ve had the opportunity to work with her in her office on occasions, and I am increasingly impressed with her character every chance that I get to work with her,” said John Williams, who also serves as Florida Council of Executives chair for the Arc of Florida.
With him were Florida Arc Board Chair Kari Bates and CEO Summer Piper, and past Chair Mark Swain. Swain and Bates are also CEOs for the Arc chapters in Alachua County and Jacksonville, two of the nearly 60 chapters in the state. Local board members Chrissy Thompson and Patricia Evans also participated.
“The Arc’s mission is to work with local, state and national partners to advocate for local chapters, public policies and high-quality support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be fully included in all aspects of their community,” Williams said. The support of legislators is essential to that mission.
“(Bradley) is a strong advocate who uses her voice for those who often do not have one. She is passionate about ensuring that the most vulnerable of our society are taken care of and protected,” he said.
“I just want to just take just a second just to thank you all for being here and thank you so much for that. That is so meaningful to me,” Bradley said. “Most families have been touched someone with an intellectual or developed intellectual or developmental disability, and the organizations that look out for them and advocate and present their issues to us are invaluable. You really do just such incredible work. Families that are really vulnerable rely on you, and I just thank you, because it is difficult work that you do. I am grateful to accept this award today, but then I go home and you do the work day in, day out, week in and week out, and it is incredibly important.”
Bradley said the bill will provide a new pathway for services for people on an unacceptably long waitlist.
