The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Learning Your Function Inc. with Founder Jim Cracchiolo!

January 27, 2019 by julieames Posted in Adult Day, Podcasts & Show Resources Tagged Adult Day Training, Bryan Weaver, Jim Cracchiolo, Learning Your Function Inc., Young Adults w/ Disabilities

Learning Your Function Inc. with Jim Cracchiolo

Join us this Sunday on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
Our guests this week are Jim Cracchiolo one of the founders of Learning Your Function Inc. (LYF Inc.), and Bryan Weaver, a LYF Inc. student.

LYF Inc. is a quality adult day training program with facilities in Land ‘O Lakes, Tampa, and New Port Richey. They focus on individualized goals in the areas of functional academics, appropriate behavior skills, employment, and independence. LYF Inc’s goal is to help individuals with disabilities fulfill their need for life skills attainment, independent choice making, and environment specific learning to help maximize their quality of life.

Between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm, Monday through Friday, LYF Inc. provides a safe environment, daily living skills, community-based instruction and entertaining educational opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Transportation to and from the facility is available on a daily basis as well as a break for individuals to eat a lunch and socialize. Advocacy services for future clients are offered to parents of individuals with disabilities as well as training in various educational topics.

Jim and Amy Cracchiolo founded Learning Your Function Inc. in 2012. They both have extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities throughout the private and public sector. Jim and Amy were educators with the Pasco County School. Both have Master Level degrees in the area of special education. They have volunteered countless hours to Special Olympics by planning events, supervising students, and attending weekend tournaments.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Allen Giese, Author of When Mental Illness Strikes: Crisis Intervention for the Financial Plan!

December 30, 2018 by julieames Posted in Financial, Podcasts & Show Resources Tagged Allen Giese, Families with Special Needs, Financial Plan, Northstar Financial Planners, Northstar Financial Planners Inc

When Mental Illness Strikes: Crisis Intervention for the Financial Plan – Allen Giese

Our guest this week is Author and Financial Planner Allen Giese. He is the author of the book When Mental Illness Strikes: Crisis Intervention for the Financial Plan.

Allen Giese is the founding partner and President of Northstar Financial Planners, Inc., in Plantation, Florida. He is also the father of an adult son who has a mental illness. Allen knows firsthand the impact that a loved one’s mental illness can have on a family’s finances. He has made it his mission to help other parents struggling with balancing their son or daughter’s needs and their family’s financial well-being. We discuss creating a financial plan for families with special needs, particularly mental illness.

(Pictured: Allen Giese, ChFC®, CLU® Northstar Financial Planners Inc. )

Provide for your love one and safeguard your future!

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Penguin Project Founder & the President of the New Tampa Players!

December 16, 2018 by julieames Posted in Drama, Podcasts & Show Resources, Therapy Tagged Children with Developmental Disabilities, Dr. Andrew Morgan, Drama Therapy, Nora Paine, Peer Mentors, The Penguin Project

Dr. Andrew Morgan, Penguin Project Founder, and Nora Paine, New Tampa Players President

Join us this Sunday on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
Our guests this week are Dr. Andrew Morgan, the founder of the Penguin Project and Nora Paine, President of the New Tampa Players.

The Penguin Project is a unique theatre experience dedicated to children with developmental disabilities. Working side by side with “peer mentors,” children their age without disabilities, they create outstanding performances featuring professional equipment, fantastic costumes and the extraordinary talent of the actors and actresses.

“Our penguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring.” Click on image below to watch the Penguin Project Promo.

For more information about the New Tampa Players click on the image below.

Pictured: Nora Paine, President of the New Tampa Players, and Julie Ames, SNFH.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Autism Shifts & the Artistas Café!

December 2, 2018 by julieames Posted in Autism, Podcasts & Show Resources Tagged Artistas Cafe, Artistas Café, Autism Shifts, Laurie Stemm, Vicky Westra

Autism Shifts and the Artistas Café

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
This week’s show will feature Vicky Westra the founder of Autism Shifts and the Artistas Café. Two organizations that have come together to provide training and employment to individuals with autism.

We discuss the following: the biggest factors in changing the outcome for individuals with Autism; what people don’t typically understand about Autism; and key things parents should do to support their child with autism.

Lighting the Path for Employment for Autism.

The vision of Shifting the outcome for those diagnosed with Autism.

Coming Soon!

Will be released in November 2018. 100% of the proceeds benefits Autism Shifts. Click on the icon below:

Discover the Light Within was written and illustrated by Vicky Westra and Laurie Stemm to inspire and uplift the Autism community they serve through their programs. This book contains a variety of tools and processes that help readers connect to who they really are and create the life they want! When we live our authentic life, we can experience life in “The Green Zone” filled with emotions such as passion, positive expectations, excitement and joy!

Although this book was created specifically for those touched by Autism, it can help anyone interested in discovering these things in their own lives.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Julie Reyes, Diversity Action Coalition, Inc.!

November 18, 2018 by julieames Posted in Podcasts & Show Resources, Resource Tagged DAC, Diversity, Diversity Action Coalition, Inclusion for All, Julie Reyes

Diversity Action Coalition Inc. with Julie Reyes

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm! Our guest is Julie Reyes, Diversity Action Coalition, Inc., Founder & Executive Director.

The Reyes Family relocated to Tampa via the US Army. Her husband, DJ, proudly served over 33 years of active duty with multiple combat deployments and retired as a Colonel. As a military family, they have moved many, many times in the past years; and upon DJ’s retirement, the Reyes family was happy to finally put down their roots, 7 years ago, in South Tampa, Florida! Julie has been in the nonprofit arena for over 25 years in Leadership, Logistical and Board roles, volunteering endless hours with a variety of non-profits.

Pictured: Julie Reyes, Diversity Action Coalition; Julie Ames, SNFH; and Jose Cruz, Producer

In 2016, Julie saw the need to start Diversity Action Coalition, Inc. (DAC), a registered 501(c)(3), to fill a gap and highlight the LOCAL need for Inclusion for All, and collaboration amongst amazing local organizations, community partners, families and individuals. Their philosophy is simple…”We are all more alike then we are different…” We are not defined by our labels at the moment, nor are we limited. We are Engaged, Empowered and Connected. We don’t just talk about things, we take ACTION to move forward with positive change, as we navigate our individual journeys. We are empowered and engaged by sharing great resources, connections and information.

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: All People’s Life Center and the Yes! F.A.I.R.!

September 23, 2018 by julieames Posted in Podcasts & Show Resources, Resource Tagged Melinda Wheatley, Miss Becki, PSTB, Therapeutic Recreation, Therapeutics Recreation Program, Yes! F.A.I.R., Yes! Family Abilities Information Rally

All People’s Life Center and the Yes! F.A.I.R

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

Our guests are Melinda Wheatley, a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, with All People’s Life Center and Miss Becki, the founder of Yes! Of America United and of a wonderful event known as the Yes! F.A.I.R. FAIR standing for Family Abilities Information Rally.

All People’s Life Center is known as one of Hillsborough County’s Showcase Facilities. It is the home base for Therapeutics Recreation Program. This facility was designed to serve people of all ages and abilities, but specializes in serving people with disabilities. Every detail of the building exceeds ADA standards for accessibility, eliminating all barriers to participation for people with disabilities.

It also the home for Paralympic Sports Tampa Bay (PSTB), which provides year round sports and recreation programs that promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and recreational and competitive sports opportunities for area children and adults with physical disabilities.

In addition, All People’s provides After School and Summer programs,. It has the only County run Special Olympics teams, and is the main administrative office for the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department.

Family Abilities Information Rally Theme: A Rootin’ Tootin’ Good Time

Admission: FREE

Parking: FREE

Contact: Miss Becki

Phone: 813-935-5696

Cell: 813-420-7708

Website: www.yesunited.org/register–fair/

Email: yesofamericaunited@gmail.com

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Family Network on Disabilities!

September 2, 2018 by julieames Posted in Podcasts & Show Resources, Resource Tagged disabilities, Family Network on Disabilities, Misti Pollaro, Parent Support Network

Family Network on Disabilities

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

We welcome Tosha Littles, Director of the Parent Support Network, and Misti Pollaro, Parent Training Coordinator for the Parent Support Network.

Family Network on Disabilities is an organization that offers free help and information to families of students with disabilities, self-advocates, and professionals that serve them. Their focus is on the educational needs of students with disabilities.

Here are links to some amazing resources to include a Social Story Library (a written or visual guide describing various social interactions, situations, behaviors, skills, or concepts) and a Sound Bank (for parents to use to help their child or youth and get used to a sound, situation, or unfamiliar or upsetting environment before entering into this environment or situation).

Pictured: Misti Pollaro, Tosha Littles, and Julie Ames (SNFH)

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Bright Feats Directory & Disability Resource Hub!

August 16, 2018 by julieames Posted in Podcasts & Show Resources, Resource Tagged Disability Resource Hub Guide, phyllis guthman, Rori Becker

Bright Feats Directory & Disability Resource Hub

Join us this Sunday afternoon on the Special Needs Family Hour at 1:00 pm!
We welcome Rori Becker, Bright Feats Directory, and Phyllis Guthman, Disability Resource Hub Guide.

Topics include:

Bright Feats Directory (Orlando) & Disability Resource Hub Guide (Tampa)
VIP Business Memberships (September 15 Print Deadline!)
VIP Works Employment Training (Funded by VIP Business Memberships)

Pictured: Julie Ames (SNFH) and Rori Becker (Bright Feats Directory) and
Phyllis Guthman (Disability Resource Hub Guide)

The Special Needs Family Hour Presents: Gigi’s Playhouse

May 27, 2018 by julieames Posted in Down Syndrome, Podcasts & Show Resources Tagged career development program, Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome Achievemennt Center, educational program, Gigi's Playhouse, prenatal diagnosis

Gigi’s Playhouse

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

This week’s show will feature Gigi’s Playhouse, a network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers. Gigi’s Playhouse is an organization that empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing no cost programs to those in Hillsborough and surrounding counties.

Their mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome through community campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Gigi’s Playhouse Tampa will make a lifetime commitment to support and empower families from prenatal diagnosis, birth, and through to adulthood by offering no-cost therapeutic, educational and career development programs.

Pictured left to right: **Doreen Altieri**, Programs Coordinator, **Julie Ames**, SNFH, **Nick Altieri**,Team Leader Advocacy & Inspiration Team, **Nicki Rawlings**, Outreach Team Leader

P.S. Gigi’s Playhouse is going to be a great addition to our community. The Grand Opening Date is to be announced soon!

November 2018
Save the Date
Rappelling Fundraiser – Over the Edge
Scale the side of a Tampa Bay building
& help raise money for Gigi’s Playhouse Tampa!
Stay tuned for more details.