The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Autism Friendly Business Initiative w/ CARD at USF, The Florida Aquarium, & The Learning Academy at USF!

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CARD & The Learning Academy at USF

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!

This week’s show features the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD-USF) and The Learning Academy Employment Services at USF.  

The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities has many programs and accomplishments. These include CARD’s Autism Friendly Business Initiative, Autism Friendly Tampa, and the collaboration between CARD and HIPPY.  HIPPY is a free, early intervention, school readiness program for children between 3-5 years old. The HIPPY curriculum helps parents transform their homes into interactive learning environment to stimulate cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in children. CARD has a multitude of projects for safety and mental health. To learn more – Click here!

Autism Friendly Tampa

The Learning Academy (TLA) at the University of South Florida (USF) is a 30-week customized transition program that assists in preparing young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for employment. The Learning Academy provides services, supports and experiential opportunities that develop and enhance each student’s independence in meeting personal career goals. To learn more – Click here!

The Learning Academy Employment Services at USF. Whether you are a job seeker looking for employment or an employer looking for the best person to fill your positions, The Learning Academy Employment Services is ready to help you succeed.

TLA employment services offer businesses solutions by customizing employment for individuals that are reliable, competent and talented. They provide training and technical assistance to ensure the new hire has become acclimated to the job site. Job seekers can expect The Learning Academy to support them through the entire employment process including resume writing, interviewing, placement, and job coaching. TLA’s employment specialists assist job seekers in finding meaningful, individualized, and gainful employment. For more information about TLA’s Employment Services – Click here!

Our guests will include the following:

  • Dr. Karen Berkman – CARD-USF Executive Director and the Learning Academy Director (Retiring)
  • Dr. Beth Boone – CARD-USF Executive Director and the Learning Academy Director (Incoming)
  • Christine Hugh, Assistant Program Director for the Learning Academy’s Employment Services
Pictured: Christine Hugh, Dr. Karen Berkman, Julie Ames, SNFH,
                and Dr. Beth Boone

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County!

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Children’s Board of Hillsborough County

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
Our guest is Kelley Parris, the Executive Director of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. 

The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County proudly serves children and families. Created by the voters in 1988, they provide funding for services and supports on behalf of children, with an emphasis on pregnant women and children birth to age eight. In the fiscal year of 2019, they invested $42 million in more than 90 local non-profit agencies. Their funded partners have clearly defined goals and outcomes that are regularly monitored for quality and performance.

The strategic focus of the Children’s Board is to work with organizations who share a common vision of offering support to children so they can lead a healthy, safe, and productive life, which makes a difference for all residents of Hillsborough County.

There are six Children’s Board Family Resource Centers located throughout Hillsborough County that offer programs and services emphasizing child development, self sufficiency, and health and safety. Programs and services are at no cost to participants.  The Centers are a fun and inviting place for families to come on a day-to-day basis. For the location nearest you – Click here!

Mission: The Children’s Board invests in partnerships and quality programs to support the success of all children and families in Hillsborough County.

Vision: Hillsborough County will be recognized as one of the top five places in the nation to raise children.

Pictured:  Julie Ames, SNFH and Kelley Parris   

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Hailey Moss – Attorney, Author, Artist, & Autism Advocate!!

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Hailey Moss – Attorney, Author, Artist, & Autism Advocate

This week our guest is Haley Moss. She is the first openly autistic woman attorney in the state of Florida. Haley Moss is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three.

Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license. Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis.

Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends.

Pictured: At the Pepin Workforce Breakfast: Haley Moss and Julie Ames, SNFH

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Best Buddies Celebrating 30 Years of Inclusion!

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Best Buddies Celebrates 30 Years of Inclusion

Join us Sunday afternoon with our guests from Best Buddies Florida.  We have Jaclyn Clark, Area Director; Kristi Muzzio, Developmental Coordinator; and Kellie Howard, Global Ambassador.

Best Buddies Florida is a non-profit organization celebrating 30 years of inclusion for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities. We discuss the various inclusion programs for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Best Buddies has established a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL
200 South Hoover Boulevard | Suite 191
Tampa, Florida 33609
P 813.254.9025 x. 303 | F 813.254.9085
BESTBUDDIES.ORG/FLORIDA

 Pictured:  Kristi Muzzio, Developmental Coordinator; Kellie Howard, Global Ambassador; Julie Ames, SNFH; Jaclyn Clark, Area Director.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Patti Rendon Explains the Florida Med-Waiver Services!

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Patti Rendon Explains the Florida Med-Waiver Services!

Join us Sunday afternoon with Patti Rendon of Rendon Support Services. Patti explains how the Florida Med-Waiver program works once an individual has qualified.

Patti has been a Med-Waiver Support Coordinator for over twenty years and runs a support coordination agency. Patti is familiar with all aspects of the Florida Med-Waiver Program. She serves individuals in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Desoto Counties. Patti has extensive experience in Adult Day Training, Supported Living, and Supported Employment. She is an advocate for individuals with disabilities and believes that all individuals have the right to live a long full life.
 
We discuss Life Skills reference Meaningful Day Activities to include Companionship, Supported Employment Coaches, and Adult Day Training. These are activities that help give value to individuals with disabilities and help them to become contributing members of the community.
 
We also discuss living arrangements available to those with disabilities. There are various options that are available to include independent living, supported living, and group homes. There are different types of group homes based on the needs of the individual. Some group homes may focus on medical or behavioral issues.
 
Contact: Phone: 813-643-1054 Email: Patti@Rendonwsc.com

Pictured:  Patti Rendon, Rendon Support Services , Julie Ames, SNFH
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Special Needs Family Hour Finalist for Temple Terrace Business of the Year

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Special Needs Family Hour was a Finalist for Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce Ed Hanna Business of the year in the category of Non-Profit in 2019.

The 2019 Nonprofit Finalists were:

  • Special Needs Family Hour, Inc.
  • Temple Terrace Arts Council
  • University Area Community Development Corporation

Founder Julie Ames said “It is an honor to be selected and recognized. I’m truly impressed by the caliber of the finalists. I am proud to be serving the community.”

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Answers to Listener’s Questions about SSI Benefits and Med-Waiver Services!

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Security Benefits and Med-Waiver Services

Join us Sunday afternoon as listener’s questions are answered by Liz Montefu and Patti Rendon. Experts in their respective fields of Social Security Benefits and Med-Waiver Services.

Liz has been guiding individuals through the rough waters of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims for over 30 years. She is experienced in benefit coordination and can help – whether you are filing for benefits for the first time or you are preparing to go before an Administrative Law Judge at a hearing.
 
Visit Montefu Consulting at https://www.montefuconsulting.com/ to learn more about Social Security, Social Security Disability Income Benefits, Survivor Benefits, Children’s SSI, Women’s Benefits, and Montefu Consulting Education Seminars.

For Your Free Consultation: 
Contact: Phone: 813-495-8787 or
 Email: contactus@montefuconsulting.com

 
Patti Rendon has been a Med-Waiver Support Coordinator for over twenty years. Patti is familiar with all aspects of the Florida Med-Waiver Program. Contact: Phone: 813-643-1054  or Email: Patti@Rendonwsc.com

 Pictured:  Patti Rendon, Rendon Support Services , Julie Ames, SNFH, 
& Liz Montefu, Montefu Consulting     

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Alder Allensworth!

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Prevail Celebrate the Journey

After being diagnosed with a rare usually fatal cancer, Alder Allensworth made a miraculous recovery and took on a sailing journey most would only dream of. Having lost one eye to cancer, Alder dedicated herself to this 1,200-mile trip to raise money and awareness for sailors with disabilities, and quickly realized that sailing the 12-foot Prevail from Florida to Maine presented a whole new set of challenges that she had never encountered before, even on the water. Prevail follows Alder’s story from her diagnosis through her sailing expedition, and finally to the creation of a nonprofit sailing organization that provides instruction and recreation to people of all ages and abilities: Sailability Greater Tampa Bay.

Alder Allensworth, MM, LMHC, RN, CIHC has over 40 years of experience assisting people to reach their highest potential. Click here to: Learn more about Alder.

Start sailing! 
Find out how you can learn to sail. Click here to:  Learn more >  

Prevail: Celebrate the Journey, is available on Amazon.

Prevail is also available as an audiobook through audiobooks.com.

Listen to a free sample. 

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Because of Sam the Documentary!

by Posted in Down Syndrome, Motivation, Podcasts & Show Resources Tagged , , ,
Among Sam’s accomplishments are the following:
Black belt in karate, 
Global Ambassador for the  Best Buddies program,
Gaither High School’s Homecoming King
Gaither High School basketball’s team manager,
ROTC member in high school,
Involved in Special Olympics and is an avid weightlifter,
Volunteers at GiGi’s Playhouse
He’s an Equestrian, thanks to Hillsborough County’s Bakas Equestrian Center, 
and now works at PDQ – they’ve even named a menu item after him!

Join us Sunday afternoon with Renee Warmack, the Producer, Director, and Writer of the documentary Because of Sam.

Along with Renee are the star of the documentary, Sam Piazza; his mother, Ruth Piazza; and Jeffrey Kamis, the Vice President of Media & Public Relations for PDQ Restaurants, where Sam works.

Sam is a Tampa hero. As a young man with Down syndrome, Sam has broken barriers and proven that people with disabilities can succeed and inspire others to do more – and be more. Sam’s life and story help others Claim Their Power and Capture Their Dreams, every day.

This past Monday was the first community screening of Because of Sam at the Tampa Theatre. It was a success with the movie receiving a standing ovation from a packed theatre. The evening culminated with Tampa Theatre adding a second show Saturday, August 10th. 

Here’s your chance to see what you missed!

Tickets are $12.50 general admission / $9.50 Tampa Theatre Members and can be bought at BecauseofSam.com or at the Tampa Theatre Box Office.

Pictured Left to Right: Renee Warmack, Producer, Director, & Writer, Julie Ames, SNFH, Sam Piazza, Star of All About Sam, Ruth Piazza, Sam’s Mother , and Jeff Kamis, the Vice President of Media & Public Relations for PDQ  Restaurants