Okaloosa
District Resources
Promising Practices Transition Sites
School-Based Enterprises
Okaloosa County resources related to the transition of students with disabilities are provided in multiple categories in the box to the right. Some resources may be included in more than one category.
Student/Family Resources
Abilities Center of Northwest Florida
2110 Third Avenue, Crestview, Florida 32536
850-689-3663
An adult day program for individuals with disabilities who are unable to maintain employment.
Adult and Community Education (ACE) of Florida - Panama City
Barbara Jones, Director, Adult Education | jonesb@nwfstatecollege.edu
(850) 892‐8100
Professional association for adult and/or community education administrators, teachers, volunteers, business supporters, or college students entering the field of adult education.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
160 Government Center, Room 412, Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 595-8288 | (800) 452-3895
APD provides supports to connect individuals to their communities. For children, services such as respite care or personal care may be provided. For adults, services may include supported employment, supported living, residential living (group/foster homes), as well as services such as respite care or personal care in the family home. May provide medical equipment and/or consumable medical supplies if not provided by State Plan Medicaid. Support Coordinator to assist with referral to community agencies and services. Supports persons with developmental disabilities (spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome and mental retardation) in living, learning and working in their communities.
Aktion Club
aktionclub@kiwanis.org
National Office Customer Service
Indianapolis: (317) 875-8755
US & Canada: (800) KIWANIS ext. 390
Tallahassee - LARC: (850) 893-3903
A community-service group for adult citizens who live with a disability that provides opportunities for developing initiative and leadership skills, serving the community, integrating into society and demonstrating the dignity and value of citizens living with disabilities.
AmeriCorps/Volunteer Florida - Tallahassee
info@volunteerflorida.org
(850) 921-5172
Provides opportunities to meet community needs through one or two-year service commitments to community and national nonprofits. Participants learn collaboration, communication, leadership and other life skills while earning a modest living allowance with health and education benefits.
AmeriCorps at Northwest Florida State College
850-729-4946
100 College Blvd, C-205, Niceville, FL 32578
This program enables students to develop transition skills in the community through volunteer work.
Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP)
Mary Brown, Region 1 Manager
(904) 348-2755
Pensacola: (850) 484-5040
5192 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 325, Pensacola, FL 32503
The mission of the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP) is to provide eligible Florida residents, who sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI), an opportunity to obtain the services needed to enable them to return to their community. Public information, prevention, education and research programs are funded to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of TBI and SCI.
Caring Hearts, PPEC
(850) 689-1376
380 Medcrest Drive, Crestview, FL 32536
We offer skilled nursing and an array of therapies in an environment that incorporates the developmental and social needs of children.
Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) - Florida State University
Pensacola City Office
Dr. Sheryl Day, Associate Director | lee.day@med.fsu.edu
(850) 494-7324
Provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities as well as instruction and coaching to families and professionals through a training and assistance model.
Center for Independent Living
850-595-5566 (Voice/TDD) | 877-245-2457 (Voice/TDD)
3600 North Pace Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32505
To secure for all people with disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play and to assure that the consumer has optimal control over all options and services.
Children in Crisis
850-864-4242
1000 Luke’s Way, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
“Providing Homes and Establishing Hope” for the abused, neglected and abandoned children of Northwest Florida. The Children’s Neighborhood provides an emergency shelter for young children and the family foster homes help with the severe shortage of foster homes in our community. Together, we can make a difference in the life of a child.
CMS Network: Children’s Medical Services
(850) 484-5040 | 800-381-3685
5192 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504
Children's Medical Services is a collection of special programs for eligible children with special needs. We have a variety of services for expecting moms, newborn babies, infants and toddlers, school-aged children, adolescents and young adults. All of our services are provided by highly qualified physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care providers around the state.
Division of Blind Services: District 1
600 University Office Boulevard, Suite 17, Pensacola, FL 32504
Debbie Carty, District Administrator of District One | deborah.carty@dbs.fldoe.org
(850) 484-5122 ext. 13 I Fax: (850) 484-5129
2505 W 15th Street, Suite B, Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 872-4181 I Fax: (850) 747-5399
To ensure blind and visually-impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunity to achieve success
Easter Seals Florida - Winter Park
(407) 629-7881 (Voice & TTY)
Provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities
Emerald Coast Autism Society
850-496-3062
8668 Navarre Parkway #216, Navarre, FL 32566
Family Network on Disabilities (FNDFL)
Rich La Belle, Executive Director | richlabelle@fndfl.org
fnd@fndfl.org
(727) 523-1130 | (800) 825-5736
A network of individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals and concerned citizens; programs include Parents of the Panhandle Information Network (POPIN); Parent Education Network (PEN); Transition, Independent Living, Employment & Support (TILES); Florida Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC); and Parents Educating Parents in the Community (PEP).
faast@faast.org
(850) 487-3278 | (888) 788-9216
Provides advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology including a loan program to try out assistive technology (AT), assistance with purchasing AT, an emergency AT fund and information on affordable housing.
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
Lyn Harris, Program Coordinator | lharris@escambia.k12.fl.us
(850) 469-5423 | (888) 445-9662
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide.
Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)
Luisa Rodriguez, Regional Administrative Support | lrodriguez@contactfin.com
(904) 620-1910 | (866) 801-4211
Provides learning opportunities, consultation, information and support to educators, families and community members to promote all students learning together in a welcoming environment that incorporates integrated services, supports and curricula that are effective and research-based.
Florida Youth Leadership Forum (FYLF)
info@abletrust.org
Innovative, intensive four-day leadership training program for rising high school juniors and seniors with disabilities that explores personal leadership, academic and career planning, ettiquette, technology innovations, disability law, networking and more.
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, Fort Walton Beach
Terri Bolin, VP Program Services | terribolin@gesgc.org
(850) 302-0576
913-H Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Goodwill Easter Seals (GES) is a non-profit, United Way partner agency serving 12 counties in the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast area. The agency provides programs and services to help individuals and families overcome challenges due to disabilities or other barriers that impact economic well-being, self sufficiency and quality of life.
Goodwill Industries - Big Bend
Valparaiso Career Training Center
valparaisoctc@goodwillbigbend.com
(850) 729-8690
DeFuniak Springs Career Training Center
defuniakctc@goodwillbigbend.com
(850) 951-1268
To provide job training, education and employment to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, helping them to reach their fullest potential in supporting themselves and their families. Goodwill also provides barrier-free apartment complexes in which people with disabilities can live independently
Horizons of Okaloosa County
(850) 863-1530
To provide a path from disability to capability by providing exceptional services so people of all ages can work, play, learn, achieve personal goals and live meaningful lives. Supported employment, job assessment, job search, counseling on the job, intensive on the job training, follow along services. Employment services-time limited to 90 days.
Military Support: EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)
Michelle Y. Dent, EFMP Family Support Specialist | michelle.dent@eglin.af.mil
(850) 833-4342 | (800)342-9647
Airman & Family Readiness Center
502 W. Van Matre Avenue, Eglin AFB
Karen Storc, GS-11 EFMP Family Support Specialist | karen.storc@us.af.mil
(850) 884-6830
Airman & Family Readiness Center
220 Lukasik Avenue, Hurlburt Field, FL 32544
Whether your special needs family member is a child or adult, the Department of Defense and the military services are committed to giving you personal, high-quality support- day or night. We provide early intervention and special education services and information about options and benefits available when your child with special needs graduates or ages out of high school
Pyramid Incorporated
432 Green Acres Road, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
Pyramid is committed to serving those with severe disabilities as it seeks new ways to engage its students, to provide an environment in which they can find excitement and meaning – and to provide them the opportunity to become full participants in their communities. For students who need extra activities other than job related skills. Provides social interaction & self help services. Offers a full range of visual and performing arts programs
Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional Disabilities (SEDNET)
Georganna Gordon, SEDNET Coordinator | ggordon1@ecsdfl.us
(850) 430-7473
The J.E. Hall Center
30 East Texar Drive, Pensacola, FL 32503
Enhances the system of care for families and students with emotional disabilities through facilitation, collaboration and direct intervention, as well as research and development, with a network of key stakeholders
Southeastern Vocational Services
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
2001 North E Street, Pensacola, FL 32501
Lisa Bloodworth | lbloodworth@bhcpns.org
(850) 595-1330 | (877) 827-2372
Assistance in understanding the impact work will have on SSDI/Medicare, as well as SSI/Medicaid benefits. CWICS will explore with you how to best utilize the various work incentives available.
Providing employment-related rehabilitative services, Southeastern Vocational Services specializes in evaluation, career counseling and community employment services for people with disabilities. SVS was founded in 1976 and has been CARF-accredited since 1979.
Special Olympics Florida | Special Olympics Okaloosa County
1978-B Lewis Turner Boulevard, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
Provides year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
Spectrum House Autism Center
crestview@spectrumhouse.org
850-398-6021
1455 S. Ferdon Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536
Research-based teaching techniques (ABA) are utilized to teach communication, socialization, educational, behavioral, independent living and functional skills. The unique capabilities of each of our clients are considered as we develop programs designed to meet their specific needs.
Tri-County Community Council, Inc.
Anita Arnold, Community Specialist | aarnold.tcc@yahoo.com
(850) 200-4425
913 Beal Parkway NW #H, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Tri-County Community Council, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a vision to unite both the public and private sectors for the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by enhancing the opportunities for success with the goal of eliminating poverty. Programs include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Self-Sufficiency Program, Medication Assistance and the Youth Development Program.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Northwest Florida - Pensacola
information@ucpnwfl.org
(850) 432-1596
Provides services tailored to community needs such as housing, therapy, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, referrals, employment assistance and advocacy.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Diane Jackson, Supervisor
(850) 833-9114
119 Beal Parkway SE, Suite 101, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
State of Florida vocational program whose purpose is to assist individuals in preparing for, keeping and obtaining or regaining employment.
Volunteers of America (VOA)
Lake City: (386) 754-9926
Fosters life-long learning and inspires people to become contributing members of society by providing health, housing, training, education and employment services.
Volunteer Florida
info@volunteerflorida.org
(850) 921-5172
Provides numerous links to state and national volunteer organizations including AmeriCorps, the Corporation on National and Community Service, emergency management and disaster relief, disability inclusion and outreach and more.
