Walton
District Resources

Walton 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

The Able Trust
info@abletrust.org
(850) 224-4493 | (888) 838-2253
Supports non-profit vocational rehabilitation programs throughout Florida with fund-raising, grant making and public awareness of disability issues with the goal of assisting Floridians with disabilities in achieving employment.

Adult and Community Education (ACE) of Florida – Panama City
Tommy Smith, Director, Adult & Community Education/GED | tommys@whtc.us
(850) 638‐1180 ext. 301
Professional association for adult and/or community education administrators, teachers, volunteers, business supporters, or college students entering the field of adult education.

Aktion Club
aktionclub@kiwanis.org
(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

Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
Leigh VanderEls, Autism Consultant | leigh.vanderels@med.fsu.edu
(850) 215-4330 | (866) 863-0138
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

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

Family Network on Disabilities
Rich La Belle, Executive Director | richlabelle@fndfl.org
(727) 523-1130 | (800) 825-5736
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)

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (F.A.A.S.T.)
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)
Faye Yongue, Program Coordinator | younguef@paec.org
(850) 638-6131 | (877) 873-7232
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide.

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)
Caren Prichard, FIN Facilitator | cprichard@contactfin.com
(850) 638-6131
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, etiquette, technology innovations, disability law, networking and more

Goodwill Industries-BigBend
lbattiste@goodwillbigbend.com
(850) 576-7145 | (800) 955-8770 | TTD (850) 576-5235
Provides customized job training, employment placement and access to transportation, childcare and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges

Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional Disabilities (SEDNET)
Georganna Gordon, SEDNET Coordinator | ggordon1@ecsdfl.us
(850) 430-7473
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

Special Olympics Florida
Cherie Cain | cheriecain@sofl.org
(407) 402-8604
Provides year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Northwest Florida - Pensacola
information@ucpnwfl.org
(850) 432-1596
Provides customized job training, employment placement and access to transportation, childcare and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

Volunteers of America (VOA) - Lake City
(386) 754-9926
Delivers comprehensive services to support an individual’s well being, promote self-sufficiency and foster independence in order to create communities where all people live with a spiritual sense of well being, opportunities for training and employment and a place to call home. (Pensacola office currently in development.)

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