Okeechobee
District Resources

Okeechobee 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 (Voice/TDD) |  (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

Aktion Club     
aktionclub@kiwanis.org    
(800) KIWANIS (5492647) ext. 390    
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 Disabilities (CARD) - Florida Atlantic University 
Maryellen Quinn-Lunny, Director | mqlunny@fau.edu
(561) 221-3436
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.

Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee
Cathleen Blair, Executive Director Blairsped1@Centurylink.net 
The mission of the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee County is to enhance the lives of the children of Okeechobee County and to enable them to attain their full potential by providing a unified context within which children’s needs can be identified and targeted by all children’s services agencies throughout the community.

Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO)
Brandy Macaluso, Chief Programming Officer I bmac@cilo.org 
(561) 966-4288 ext. 118
As a Center for Independent Living, CILO adheres to the independent living philosophy, which stands for the proposition that people with disabilities have a right to self-determination and to make choices in their own lives. Services are consumer-directed. Staff will work with the consumer to remove physical and attitudinal barriers in the community.

Easter Seals Florida
Tomara Hays
(321) 723-4474
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 Care Council Florida 
(800) 470-8101    
Assists in providing information and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families; also advises the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on the needs of self-advocates and their families

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 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)
Jody Hays, FDLRS Galaxy Director | jody.hays@stlucieschools.org
(772) 429-4690
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) 
Erin Perman | erin.perman@stlucieschools.org
(772) 429-4566
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 of Central Florida
(407) 857-0659 I marketing@goodwillcfl.org
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/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET)
Dr. Francine Harper | Francine.Harper@stlucieschools.org
(772) 429-4537
St. Lucie Public Schools Office of Exceptional Student Education
9461 Brandywine Lane
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
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
Kyle Townsend | kyletownsend@sofl.org
(352) 243-9536
Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities