Brevard
District Resources Promising Practices

Brevard Highlands Indian River Martin Okeechobee Orange Osceola Polk Seminole St. Lucie

Brevard Learners Achieving Successful Transition (BLAST)
For students who have earned a special diploma
School sites:

Bayside High School

1901 DeGrout Rd SW, Palm Bay, FL 32908

Clearlake Education Center
1225 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, FL 32922
(321) 633-3660 Ext. 431

Eau Gallie High School
1400 Commodore Blvd.Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 242-6400 Ext. 5009

Titusville High School

Titusville, FL 32780
(321) 264-3100 ext. 4002

B.L.A.S.T. is a new program in Brevard Public Schools which focuses directly on the transition opportunities and post-secondary goals of students who have earned but deferred their special diploma.  Designed to meet the specific needs of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students who are 18-22 years old, B.L.A.S.T. encompasses the four domains of transition; Independent Living, Vocational and Employment, Personal and Social, and Leisure/Recreation.  Program instruction will be student driven/teacher directed and will include learning centers and labs, participation in Brevard Public Schools’ transition programs, Community Based Instruction (CBI), Community Based Vocational Education (CBVE), School-based enterprises, self-determination, and outside agency participation.

Bridges, Inc.
http://www.mybridges.org
1694 Cedar St. Rockledge, FL  32955
   Marcie Ladell, Employment Services Coordinator
   Office: 321-690-3464 ext. 37
   Fax: 321-690-3467
Bridges provides job placement services to supported level Juniors and Seniors in area high schools, as well as job placement services at all four BLAST sites in Brevard.  We also partner with Brevard Public Schools, Vocational Rehabilitation, The City of Palm Bay and other Palm Bay area businesses for a post-secondary program called Project SEARCH.  This unpaid internship program offers hands-on work skills training within business settings throughout a full school year.  The goal of Project SEARCH is to identify career goals, provide internships in those career fields and to assist with job placement upon completion of the program.

Project SEARCH – High School Transition Program
Career Exploration in a Health Care Setting
Holmes Regional Medical Center
    1355 Hickory Street, Suite 104
    Melbourne, Florida 32901
     Maria Trieste
     (321) 434-7578
     Maria.trieste@health-first.org
This one-year program is designed for students with disabilities who have a goal of employment and are in their last year of high school or have deferred their diploma. Students must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate a desire to work, and be able to follow directions. They must also demonstrate social and communication skills, have independent toileting and feeding skills, and meet dress code requirements.

Project SEARCH – High School Transition Program
Career Exploration in a Health Care Setting
Cape Canaveral Hospital
    701 West Cocoa Beach Causeway #520
    Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931
      Maria Trieste
      (321) 434-7578
      Maria.trieste@health-first.org
This one-year program is designed for students with disabilities who have a goal of employment and are in their last year of high school or have deferred their diploma. Students must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate a desire to work, and be able to follow directions. They must also demonstrate social and communication skills, have independent toileting and feeding skills, and meet dress code requirements.

Project SEARCH- High School Transition Program
Career Exploration in a Government Setting
City of Palm Bay
     Mary Kay Trowbridge
     (321) 726-5679
     nmatchett@mybridges.org
This program consists of three work rotations of 11 weeks each in which students learn job skills, enhance their resumes, and expand their employment options. Rotation opportunities include automotive, administrative, fire, maintenance, CAD and scanning, growth management, information technology, construction, parks and recreation, human resources, library, surveying, signs and traffic, facilities, lawn care, equipment repair, flagging, and more. Bridges provide job coaches as well as paid internships and employment development for students who complete the program.