9th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference at The Schultz Center – Jacksonville, FL
9th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference at The Schultz Center – Jacksonville, FL
Don’t miss this upcoming event in Jacksonville, FL. Happening on Friday, October 3, 2025 at The Schultz Center. Doors open at 8:00 AM.
Where: The Schultz Center 4019 Boulevard Center Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207
Please join us for our 9th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference.
Doors Open at 8:00 am
The Annual Connecting the Dots Conference, hosted by Family Care Council Area 4, represents a multi-agency collaboration focused on addressing the unique needs of individuals and families impacted by intellectual and developmental differences (IDD), early developmental delays, medical complexities, and related disabilities. Through this annual community outreach, we guide families toward their next steps, help them prepare for the future, provide up-to-date information, answer questions, and equip them with essential knowledge.
Family Care Council Area 4 is committed to uplifting families in our region through community partnership and collaboration. No matter where you find yourself on this journey, our conference will provide you with essential information, valuable resources, and an opportunity to explore options that may enrich the lives of your family and loved ones. Join us in Connecting the Dots for a better today, tomorrow, and future.
In 1993, the Florida Legislature created the Family Care Councils of Florida. Each Family Care Council is comprised of families walking this path together and the individuals who motivate their participation. Our mission is to educate and empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, partnering with our community and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, to bring quality services to individuals with dignity and choice.
We are honored to welcome our keynote speaker, Alan Abramowitz and Director Robert (Bob) Asztalos, of APD.
Bob Asztalos has served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs since July 6, 2021. FDVA is a 1,500-member constitutionally chartered State Veterans’ Affairs department with a $220 million annual budget responsible for serving the nation’s third largest veteran population. His role includes overseeing the operation of Florida’s eight state veteran nursing homes and one state veterans domiciliary.
He previously served as the interim Chief Operating Officer for Medical Equipment and Supplies of America, a disabled veteran-owned small business that provides durable medical equipment to Veterans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to that, he worked in government relations on health care issues at both the state and federal levels since 1985.
In Tallahassee, Bob served as the Chief Lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association, representing nursing homes and other long-term health care providers. He spent 15 years as the Government Relations Consultant for Easter Seals Florida. In Washington, D.C., Bob served as the Senior Congressional Affairs Representative for the American Health Care Association, Associate Director of Government Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association, and a Legislative Specialist with the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. Bob completed 29 years active and reserve service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve serving with shipboard and U.S. Marine Corps ground units. He also served 17 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a small boat commander and Aids to Navigation Verifier. He is a member of the Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long Term Care, completed a term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florida Veterans Foundation, is the President of Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 34, and serves on the Board of Directors of Ladies Learning to Lead and the Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation & Senior Care Community.
Alan Abramowitz is the Founder and Principal Manager of Right Field Strategies, with over 30 years of leadership in state government and the nonprofit sector. He most recently served as CEO of The Arc of Florida and previously led Florida’s Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program for more than a decade, appointed by Governors Crist, Scott, and DeSantis.
Alan Abramowitz, Esq. has served on numerous statewide committees and held senior leadership roles at the Florida Department of Children and Families. His honors include the Exemplary Public Service Career Award from Florida State University College of Law, National Award from the Administration of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner’s, State Director of the Year from the National CASA Association, and the Golden Rotunda Award for championing the rights and wellbeing of those in vulnerable circumstances.
A U.S. Army veteran and former Peace Corps volunteer, Alan’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable voices are heard and valued guides his work—because true success comes from recognizing those voices as the experts.
The conference offers three subsequent breakout sessions with a variety of topics, such as:
· Understanding the APD Medwaiver & Other Waiver Programs
· Medicaid, Medicare, & Waiver Program Services
· Public Programs & Services
· Resources for Siblings
· Resources for Caregivers
· Post-High School Planning
· Positive Behavior Strategies
· Planning Ahead & Decision-Making Supports
· Youth Well-Being
· Financial Planning
· Specialized Education Programs (EE)
· Communication for Individuals with Limited Speech
· Early Developmental Supports
· Championing
· School-Age Years
· Creative Solutions
We the People, By the People, For All the People will be onsite throughout the event to provide guidance and offer a special opportunity for caregivers and individuals with lived experience to create their own impact videos, along with other tools to help you get involved in meaningful ways.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA) & The Department of Children and Families (DCF) Program representation from the Statewide Medicaid Center for Excellence will be onsite.
APD and DCF will begin seeing attendees privately by 30 minute appointment begining at 11:00 A.M. Appointments can be made upon arrival at venue.
Childcare is NOT available for this event.
Accommodations:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront (3.9 miles away)
1201 Riverplace Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 398-8800
Reservation: 833-304-1375
Limited rooms are available at $99 per night (with free parking)
The DoubleTree has provided a link to simplify reservations for our room block. Please use the link below or call, ask for Group Code “DOT” or “Connecting the Dots”
By phone (available 24 hours a day) to 1-800-222-8733 and be sure to ask for “Connecting the Dots” or Group Code DOT
Rate guaranteed until 9/26/25 Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=JAXJRDT&groupCode=CDTDOT&arrivaldate=2025-10-02&departuredate=2025-10-03&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Reservation Cut-off Date – as a reminder, reservations must be made before midnight on Date 9/29/2025.
**Be sure to copy and paste the entire link (it may be 2 lines long) in order for it to work properly**
If ASL services or other accommodations are needed, please indicate on your registration. Must request by 9/1/25
Scholarships:
Limited Scholarships are available by contacting the Organizer at the following email address: connectingthedotsjax@gmail.com Subject Line: Scholarship
Active Duty Military Scholarships are available (ID required at event check-in), inquire at connectingthedotsjax@gmail.com Subject Line: Military
Please let us know in your correspondence, if you are a: parent, caregiver, guardian, provider, educator, veteran, or active duty military and what you hope to gain by attending the Conference.
Sponsored by: Family Care Council Area 4/Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), UF -Jax CARD/ FDLRS-MDC, City of Jacksonville Disabled Services, The Arc Jacksonville, The Arc of the St. Johns, FDLRS CROWN, Family Network on Disabilities, Parents Offering Parents Information and Networking (POPIN), Eagle Strategies, Bright Feats Northeast Florida, PossAbilities Plus, Florida Community Care, Able United, Equitable Advisors, , and Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health.
Tickets-RSVP Link
