Okaloosa
District Resources

Lance C. Richbourg School Transition Program
Comprehensive School-to-Work Program
    Lance C. Richbourg School
    500 Alabama Street
    Crestview, Florida  32536
    (850) 689-5089
      Nicole Rickmon, Assistant Principal
      rickmonn@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
      Jo Grice, ESE Staffing Specialist/Transition Specialist
      gricej@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
North Okaloosa County Students 16-22 with intellectual disabilities learn to transition into adulthood and future environments through job skills and vocational instruction, community-based instruction, on- and off-campus work experiences, school-based enterprises, volunteering, transportation training, and other activities. Coursework includes, career exploration, employability skills, communication and social skills development, self-advocacy and self-determination skills, independent living skills, integrated academics, health, safety, and the development of Transition Portfolios. Program partners include parents, local businesses, and agencies, such as Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The off-campus OJT program at Richbourg School has included a wide variety of businesses. Large corporations, as well as local businesses, have provided successful job experiences for our students, and our goal is to ensure or come close to job placement by the time the student is ready to age out of the school system, ensuring a successful transition into the post-secondary environment, with agency and family support. 

Richbourg students and staff have an entrepreneurial spirit. Several classrooms have developed School-Based Enterprises. Some examples include:

• Secondary medically-fragile students with profound disabilities (16-22+) make and sell Valentine Candy-Grams and Christmas-Present Tags.  Students and community members look forward to these events, and class members increase social awareness and interaction, fine motor skills and integration, self-determination and self-advocacy. 
• Recycling- From collection to delivery to local aluminum/recycling centers, participating students gain job skills, responsibility, and citizenship.
• Bakery- The culinary program prepares recipes, bakes, and sells items to staff members, parents, and the local community.  Banana bread can be ordered most of the year.  Other items (ex:  cookies, danishes) are advertised throughout the year, or can be ordered by the consumer.

CHOICE High School and Technical Center Transition Program
Career and Employability Development
CHOICE High School and Technical Center
1976 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 833-3500
   Jerry Sansom, Principal 
   sansomj@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
   Claudia Rich, Staffing Specialist
   claudia.rich@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us 
   Beverly Wilson, VE Teacher
   wilsonb@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Students with disabilities ages 18-22 increase their self-advocacy and self-determination skills, employment abilities, and opportunities for work and community-based instruction; establish high expectations; and develop Transition Portfolios with the goal of achieving competitive employment. Activities include career exploration, self-advocacy, career and technical training, academics, employability skills, and industry certification. Program partners include the Career & Technology Education (CTE) and Adult Education departments. 

Okaloosa County High School/High Tech
Career exploration, work-based learning, youth leadership
Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa & Walton Counties
   109 8th Avenue
   Shalimar, FL 32579
     Will Miles, HS/HT Contact
     Youth Program Manager, Florida reBuilds
     (850) 651-2315 or WMiles@jobsplus02.com
High School/High Tech serves high school students with all types of disabilities ages 14-22 who are pursuing various diploma options and are interested in technology-related careers. Okaloosa County High School/High Tech specifically serves youth residing in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities.

Silver Sands School Transition Program
Comprehensive School-to-Work Program
The Silver Sands School
   34 Holmes Boulevard NW
   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
     Jon Williams, Principal
     williamsJ2@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
     Anita Dunn, Staffing Specialist
     anita.dunn@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us 
Students 18-22 with intellectual disabilities learn to transition into adulthood and future environments through two courses (Career Preparation and Career Experience), community-based instruction, a number of on- and off-campus work experiences, school-based enterprise, volunteering, transportation training, and other activities. Coursework includes work interest inventories, career exploration, employability skills, social skills development, self-advocacy and self-determination skills, independent living skills, integrated academics, health, safety, and the development of Transition Portfolios. Mentors and job coaches are also provided. Program partners include local businesses, parents, other district schools, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security Administration, and other agencies.