Holmes
District Resources

Holmes 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.

Adult and Community Education (ACE) of Florida - Chipley
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   
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.

Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) - Florida State University
Janice Overstreet, Associate Director | janice.overstreet@med.fsu.edu  
(850) 644-4387 | (800) 769-7926  
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.

Disability Resources Center (Center for Independent Living) 
Robert Cox, Director | rccox66@drcpc.org 
(850) 769-6890 | (850) 576-6891 (TDD) 
Provides information and referral services, advocacy, independent living skills training, peer counseling and support for persons with significant disabilities who seek independence and self-reliance.

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 Care Council Florida - Area 2   
Tracy Stewart, Chairperson | tss8432@yahoo.com  
(850) 284-3815
Assists in providing information and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families; also advise the (Agency for Persons with Disabilities) on the needs of self-advocates and their families.   

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).

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST)
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, FDLRS Program Coordinator | faye.yongue@paec.org 
850-638-6131 ext. 2229 
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide.

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)   
Karen D'Avignon | kdavignon@uwf.edu 
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-Big Bend
lbattiste@goodwillbigbend.com   
(800) 955-8770 | (TDD) (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)     
Rusty Holmes, SEDNET Coordinator | rusty.holmes@paec.org  
(850) 638-6131 ext. 2240   
SEDNET c/o PAEC  
753 West Boulevard, Chipley, FL  32428    
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
(352) 243-9536 
Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities leading to their participation as productive and respected members of society and their communities

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of North Florida - Panama City 
Kimberly McManus | kimberly.mcmanus@comcast.net  
(850) 769-7960 
Advocates and provides services for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities

Volunteers of America (VOA)
Pensacola Office: currently in development 
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