Transition Services
Student Resources
Independence and Life Skills
- Documents to Keep for Youth Transitioning to Adult Life
- Skills for Independent Living: Personal Care Skills
- Finding Housing for Youth with Disabilities Takes Determination and Creativity
- Health Care
- Transition Health Plan for Youth with Disabilities and Their Families
- Just Adulting—Legal Survival Guide Resources - developed by the Florida Bar, helps students to become more knowledgeable about laws affecting individuals 18 years and older.
- Money Smart - a financial education program from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- Independent Living Skills - a video that demonstrates how a young person is prepared to live independently (approximately 8 minutes).
- Centers for Independent Living
- Understanding Volunteering
- Skills to Pay the Bills - Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success, from the Office of Disability Employment Policy, is a curriculum with soft skill lessons and accompanying videos. Activities and curriculum focus on six key areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem-solving and critical thinking, and professionalism. (Available in English and Spanish)
- Let’s Get Everyone to Work - DVDs and Resource Toolkit, from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, is a 45-minute downloadable video that explores strategies and approaches that lead to successful employment and greater independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. The website includes links to each section, including 12 personal stories of individuals with a variety of disabilities who are successfully employed.
- Healthy Transitions - teaches skills and provides tools for care coordination, keeping a health summary, and setting priorities during the transition process. It features video vignettes that demonstrate health transition skills and apps that support self-determination, decision-making, and collaboration.
- Florida Health and Transition Services (Florida HATS) - provides resources for youth and families related to healthcare transition.
LOCAL RESOURCES TO FIND EMPLOYMENT
CareerSource Okaloosa Walton/Workforce 2020
Fort Walton Beach: (850) 833-7587
Crestview: (850) 689-7823
Provides a full array of employment and training related services for job seekers, workers, youth, and businesses. May include Disability Program Navigators, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, and Veterans Services on-site.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
John Mirra, Supervisor Unit 2A | john.mirra@vr.fldoe.org
(850) 833-9114
Works with people who have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gain, or retain employment and find meaningful careers.
Provide comprehensive residential education and job training for youth ages 16 through 24; the upper age limit may be waived for applicants with disabilities. Training accommodations are available. Students are usually matched with programs in their interest areas near their residences. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) - Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC).
WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE (WIPA)
Contracted through Goodwill Industries of North Florida - Jacksonville
Carmen Sheppard | csheppard@goodwilljax.org
Arnette Jacobs | ajacobs@goodwilljax.org
(352) 335-1311 | (877) 346-3349
Work with people with disabilities on Social Security Act benefits, eligibility and planning; work incentives; career development; and job placement