Charlotte
District Resources

Charlotte 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.

Local Agency Resources

Agency for Persons with Disabilities 
(800) 615-8720 | (239) 338-1370
Supports persons with developmental disabilities (spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome and intellectual disabilities, Down Syndrome) and children age 3-5 who are at risk of a developmental disability in living, learning and working in their communities.

Children’s Medical Services - Florida  
CMS_Central_Office@doh.state.fl.us
(850) 245-4200
Offers programs for children and young adults with special needs including health services, child protection and safety, child and family information, early intervention and child development and newborn screening provided by highly qualified physicians, nurses, social workers and other healthcare providers.

Department of Children and Families 
Frank Prado, Regional Managing Director
(813) 558-5500
Customer Call Center
Agents available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(850) 300-4323
Florida Relay 711 or TTY 1-800-955-8771
Provides information and/or services for adoption, child care, family safety, financial assistance, foster care, refugees and mental health.

Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) School District Transition Contact
Dr. Mike Desjardins | mike.desjardins@yourcharlotteschools.net
(941) 255-0808, ext. 3047
Supports youth returning from DJJ programs to re-enter school, assists with transferring and receiving educational records and provides information to districts on local school options for returning DJJ students

Division of Blind Services
Leigh Ann Bellamy | Leigh.Bellamy@dbs.fldoe.org
(239) 278-7130 or (800) 219-0180
Provides services to persons who are blind, have severe visual impairments and have disabling conditions that make it difficult to read regular print including early-intervention education to children from birth to 5 years of age, a school-to-work transition program, independent living services, job opportunities in food service and Braille and talking book library services.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR or VR)  
Anthony Oakes, VR Area Director | Anthony.Oakes@vr.fldoe.org
(239) 278-7317
Penni Hochuli, Supervisor | penni.hochuli@vr.fldoe.org
(941) 613-0900
Works with people who have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gain, or retain employment and find meaningful careers.

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center
(941) 359-1404 I info@LighthouseEducationCenter.org
7318 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, USA
The Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center provides training in skills that promote self-sufficiency and independence in the lives of individuals who have vision loss. Our programs offer a holistic approach by providing training and rehabilitation to foster independence, productivity, and improved quality of life. Through interview and assessment, classes and resources are carefully chosen to provide each client with skills to live independently and with confidence to undertake activities. Training may vary from individual in-home instruction to facility-based classroom training sessions.

Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213 | (800) 325-0778
Provides information and a secure application process for disability benefits, social security cards and retirement benefits.