Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointment Apd Director topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee recommends confirmation of Robert Astellos as director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Summary
Robert Astellos (Astellos in transcript) was sworn and outlined priorities for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities including reducing the pre‑enrollment list, improving transparency and family involvement, better partnerships, and streamlining processes; the committee moved to recommend his confirmation by voice vote.
Robert Astellos was sworn in for his confirmation hearing and described his background in military service, long‑term care advocacy, and recent work as deputy director at the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. He outlined four priorities for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD): reduce the pre‑enrollment list, improve transparency and family involvement (including a more family‑friendly website and contact information), strengthen partnerships with providers and stakeholders, and streamline application and data processes.
Astellos said the agency had reduced the pre‑enrollment list from about 21,000 to about 16,800 through outreach and targeted offers of services, and discussed plans for continued clean‑up of the list. Multiple advocacy and provider organizations waived support on the record. Senators praised his customer‑service emphasis and moved to recommend confirmation; the committee recommended his confirmation by voice vote.
Next steps: Recommendation to confirm will proceed per appointment procedures.
