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The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: MacDonald Training Center!
MacDonald Training Center
Pictured: Leah Herring and Julie Ames, SNFH
Our guest is Leah Herring the Transition Facilitator for the MacDonald Training Center (MTC). An Organization known for “Empowering people with disabilities to lead the lives they choose.” We will be discussing their Supported Living Services, Employment Services, and Community Services.
MTC is a training center for adults with disabilities. Services can begin as early as 18 years of age and continue throughout ones lifetime. MTC provides a wide array of products to the community. Current contracts range from light manufacturing, packaging, and assembly to sewing. There are 28 companies doing business with MTC.
Pharmacist Sally DePalma Discusses Tips On Working With Your Family Pharmacist
Sally DePalma!
Join us Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm! Not only is Sally DePalma the Executive Director of The One Roof Ministry, she is also a pharmacist. Today we are going to discuss tips on working with your family pharmacist.
We will discuss all aspects of working with a pharmacist – starting with your physician’s script, placing your medication order, how to make sure common mistakes don’t happen to you, what you can do if your prescription medication costs too much, the pharmacist consultation, and the importance of having a working relationship with your pharmacist to name just a few topics covered on the show.
Julie Ames on Raising Children with Special Needs
Jose Cruz, On-Air Studio Engineer and Julie Ames, SNFH
Julie Ames shares tips for raising special needs children. She covers many topics including: sleeping through the night, diapers, dealing with slow physical progress, eating challenges, clothing, shopping, doctor appointments, allowance / responsibility and discipline.
Healthy Transitions Program!
Healthy Transitions Program
Dan Bramel, Mordecai Dixion, John Mayo, Tajhah Kittling,
Tonica Freeman-Foster and Julie Ames, SNFH
Our guests today are representatives from Central Florida Behavior Health Network, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, and Success 4 Kids & Families. We are discussing the new Healthy Transitions Program for individuals 16 to 25 experiencing mental health challenges.
Our Guests:
- Tonicia Freeman-Foster – Healthy Transitions Project Director at Central Florida Behavioral Health Network.
- Mordecai Dixion – Program Manager, 2-1-1 &
Suicide Prevention Services at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay - Dan Bramel – Healthy Transitions Care Coordinator at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
- John Mayo – Deputy Executive Director at Success 4 Kids & Families
- Tajhah Kittling – Transition Specialist at Success 4 Kids & Families
Healthy Transition Program: The project will serve: 16-25 year olds at risk of developing or identified with a serious mental health condition. The goals are to: Make policy and funding changes at the state and local level to improve cross-system collaboration, service capacity, and workforce expertise; create, implement, and expand research- supported services and supports that are culturally competent and youth-guided; provide for continuity of care between child and adult behavioral health systems; and involve family and community members in this process.
Michele Houston Hicks, author of Princess Pie!
Michele Houston Hicks, author of Princess Pie
Michele Houston and Julie Ames, SNFH
Our guest is Michele Houston Hicks, the author of Princess Pie. Princess Pie is about her precious granddaughter, Aniya, who was born at 1 lb, 8 oz and 12” long. Aniya has endured great physical challenges such as severe Cerebral Palsy, vision impairment, and various surgeries.
Michele’s message of Holiday Hope is to let you know that all children bring out the best in us. And in her words “They teach us compassion, understanding and patience where it may be lacking. They produce an inner strength in all of us where we thought we had none. They give us unconditional love and instill in us to love the same. They are just normal kids that just need extra special care.”
Princess Pie : The first book of the series which illustrates the lives of two little girls born prematurely and the adventures they share growing up together. Their stories will bring joy, laughter and encouragement as life’s adventures of the main character Princess Pie and her trusted devoted sidekick Szeja who refers to Princess Pie as her “best friend cousin”. The tales are narrated through colorful, educational, heartfelt and funny stories. Like Princess Pie on Facebook.
Jack Kosik’s Villages of Noah’s Landing – Community for those with Intellectual Disabilities
Jack Kosik’s Villages of Noah’s Landing – Community for those with Intellectual Disabilities
Jack & Lin Kosik and Julie Ames, SNFH
Our guests today are Jack & Lin Kosik, the founder and Executive Director of Noah’s Ark of Central Florida. This Spring Jack will complete a $15 Million Dollar project called The Villages of Noah’s Landing for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Prior to becoming the Executive director of Noah’s Landing, Jack was a former vice-president division manager for Ryland Homes. Along the way Jack met a wonderful like minded woman, Lin. Lin & Jack share the same passion, vision, and heart for those with intellectual disabilities.
Noah’s Ark of Central Florida : A Community Built on Friendship And Support for Adults With Special Needs. Noah’s Ark of Central Florida was established to provide meaningful options for housing and lifestyle for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities; and is proud to support and educate those individuals, their families and caregivers. Like Noah’s Ark of Central Florida on Facebook
Dr. Edie Dopkling, Quantum Leap Farm!
Dr. Edie Dopkling, Quantum Leap Farm
Dr. Edie Dopkling and Julie Ames, SNFH
Dr. Edie Dopkling, Quantum Leap Farm Founder and Executive Director is our guest. We discuss the benefits of equine therapy for those with physical cognitive and or emotional disabilities.
Clients include current and former military service members, wounded warriors, kids and adults with special needs, pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Quantum Leap Farms : Equine-assisted therapies exists to help people of all ages and abilities grow strong, achieve therapeutic goals and overcome challenges by engaging them with horses. We believe in the acceptance of everyone, wherever they are right now. Like Quantum Leap Farms on Facebook
Benefits of Drama Therapy with Loretta Gallo-Lopez, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Benefits of Drama Therapy with Loretta Gallo-Lopez, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Loretta Gallo-Lopez and Julie Ames, SNFH
Our guest is Loretta Gallo-Lopez, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and we discuss the benefits of Drama Therapy.
Loretta has over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and their parents. She is a Registered Drama Therapist, Registered Play Therapist, and she is the Clinical Director & a Founding Board Member of the Focus Academy in Temple Terrace, FL.
Loretta Gallo-Lopez, MA Clinical Director, Focus Academy
Loretta began her professional career as an ESE teacher and has been in private practice in Tampa for over 20 years. Loretta is a nationally recognized speaker, a published author of both books and articles about her work and is co-director of the ACT Project – a drama therapy and performance based social skills program. Like Focus Academy on Facebook .
Award Winning Author Suzin Carr!
Award Winning Author Suzin Carr
Suzin Carr and Julie Ames, SNFH
A Special Thanksgiving Message with Suzin H. Carr, the award winning author of “I Choose,” “I Choose Too!,” and “Yo Elijo.” “I Choose” and the Spanish translation “Yo Elijo,” is suitable for everyone, but especially those aged 3-8 and the folks who work with them.
“I Choose Too!” is a thought-provoking, meaningful and interactive book about the choices humans make everyday. If you are a grown-up with questions, a therapist, counselor, Minister, teacher or anyone who has ever been in transition….this book is for you!
Suzin is available to speak to your local school, club, or Scout Troop. Topics include the message of the book, the book printing process, its impact on a 7 year old, and following your dream as an artist or writer. She is the wife of James, and the mother of Chandler. She lives in Lutz, Florida where she juggles the life she chooses and is grateful for countless blessings and immeasurable joy.
Illuminated Publishing: Quality books, etc. with a family-friendly message. Written by a Mom and illustrated by her son when he was 7 years old. Home of “I Choose,” “I Choose Too!,” “Yo Elijo,” & More
“We choose what comes out of our mouth, what stays in our head, and what lives in our heart.” ~ Suzin Carr, wife, mother, author