Florida Assisted Living Association | 7
A caregiver who is passionate about
ALFs and their residents, Mr. Collazo has
managed and operated Palm Breeze Assisted
Living Facility since 1997. The 61-bed facil-
ity predominantly provides care for those in-
dividuals with severe and persistent mental
illness. Mr. Collazo has not only been presi-
dent of the Miami-Dade andMonroe Coun-
ty chapters of FALA, but has initiated lob-
bying efforts and grass roots movements to
educate the state legislature about the needs
of the assisted living facility industry.
Additionally, Mr. Collazo was ap-
pointed to the Miami-Dade County Elder
Abuse Task Force, the Town of Miami Lakes
Elder Affairs Committee and Elderly Af-
fairs Committee. He is also vice-president
of the Florida Coalition for Assisted Living
andMental Health. Noted for his tireless ad-
vocacy and lobbying efforts, in 1997 he re-
ceived both the State of Florida Department
of Elder Affairs Alliance for Aging Margaret
Weedman Elder Advocate Award and the
South Florida Mental Health Association
Hero in the Fight Award.
FUTURE GOALS
FALA intends to continue to carry out its
vision of displaying integrity and profes-
sionalism, best practices in providing qual-
ity of care and innovation and commitment
to the profession. We have accomplished a
great deal in 20 years, and look forward to
20
more.
Pat Lange is Executive Director of the
Florida Assisted Living Association, which
is based in Tallahassee and represents more
than 600 assisted care communities and as-
sisted living facilities in Florida. She can be
reached at
PatL@falamail.org.