Supporting Youth on the Job
This section contains information for students, families and educators who need information on support services and strategies for ensuring that students succeed on the job. Supports may be needed for transportation; assistive technology; tools, uniforms, or other job necessities; alternate formats for work materials; personal finances; career mentoring; and/or transitioning to adult provider systems.
See our page on Benefits Planning for Employment for information on disability benefits.
Children’s Medical Services
Provides a family-centered, coordinated system of care for children with special health care needs who are under age 21 and whose serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children
Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame - Youth Mentor Program
Sponsors more than 75 students interested in agriculture to attend the Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet at the Florida State Fair every February. Students learn from and interact with the industry's top leaders and at least five students who are part of the youth mentor program receive a $500 scholarship.
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc.
FAAST’s goal is to increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology by people with disabilities. Services include a program for trying out assistive technology (AT) and searchable databases of AT funding options and providers.
Florida Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc.
Protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in the State of Florida for a number of areas including access to publicly funded benefits and services, private businesses, transportation, post-secondary education and housing; compliance with Section 508 and Telecommunications Act; access to vocational rehabilitation services, access to a free and appropriate public education in the most inclusive environment; self-empowerment; and individual rights
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
Statewide effort to group riders together for a shared ride service for employment, medical and education locations. Services are available in all 67 Florida counties.
Florida Division of Blind Services
Agency responsible for ensuring that people who are blind or visually impaired can live independently and achieve their goals. Also administers a free library program of Braille and recorded materials for eligible readers
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
DVR provides services for eligible persons with physical or mental impairments designed to enable them to prepare for, get, keep, or regain employment. Youth services include assistive technology/devices and medical/psychological assessment and time-limited treatment.
Florida Transit Links
American Public Transportation Association Web page listing public transportation available in Florida including ferry and rail service
Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring
Contains a mentoring overview, developmental/disability contexts, the role of mentoring, mentoring settings and approaches, operating/marketing mentoring programs, and program evaluation
SIMPLY Careers! Helping Students with Disabilities Effectively Plan their Futures through Comprehensive Career Development: A Guide for Persons Involved in Transition Planning (pdf)
Educator resources for Step 5 (Support Services) of the seven-step career development process include information on determining support services needed to assist students in reaching their career goals and that will be included in the student’s career portfolio