Hendry
District Resources

Hendry 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
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
National Office Customer Service
(317) 875-8755 (Indianapolis, IN) | (800) KIWANIS ext. 390 (US & Canada)
LaBelle Office:
info@labellekiwanis.com
(863) 675-4043
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.

Volunteer Florida
(850) 414-7400
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)
University of South Florida
Christine Maughan | Christinemaughan@usf.edu
(239) 590-7769
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 Gulf Coast (CILGC)
(239) 260-4575 | 1-855-260-4575
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.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center (DHHC)
(239) 461-0334 | (239) 247-5821
Offers programs and services including community education and outreach, interpreting services, sign language classes, information and referral services, job assistance, advocacy services, equipment sales, telephone equipment loan program and services for families with children who are deaf.

Family Care Council Florida
Patricia Oglesby, Chairperson
(800) 470-8101
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 (FND) 
Rich La Belle, Executive Director | richlabelle@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. Some programs include the South Florida Parent Education Network (PEN); Florida Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC); and Parents Educating Parents in the Community (PEP).

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) 
Southwest Regional Demonstration Center (Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast)
Phone: (954) 320-6860
SoutheastRDC@FAAST.org
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) 
Rebecca Cox | rebecca.cox@heartlanded.org
(863) 561-0444 ext. 232
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) 
Joya Bella, FIN Facilitator | jbella@contactfin.com
(850) 645-7593 (Office)
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
(850) 224-4493
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.

Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET)     
Connie Tucker Reece, SEDNET Region 8B Project Manager | connie.reece@glades-schools.org 
Phone: (863) 946-0323
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
Mary Pringle | marypringle@specialolympicshendry.org
(863) 397-9775
Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities