Special Olympics Florida Inc

TO PROVIDE YEAR ROUND SPORTS TRAINING AND COMPETITION, CRITICAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AT NO COST TO THE ATHLETE OR THEIR CAREGIVER AS A MEANS TO ACHIEVE PHYSICAL FITNESS,

THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN 270 LOCAL AND VIRTUAL COMPETITIONS, 55,340 SPECIAL OLYMPIC ATHLETES FROM FLORIDA HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE AND HONE THEIR SKILLS. WITH 25 DIFFERENT SPORTS BEING OFFERED YEAR-ROUND, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

TRAINING OF 55,340 ATHLETES IN FUNCTIONAL SPORTS SKILLS AND RULES WHICH EMPOWER AND ENABLE THEM TO INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY. TRAINING TAKES PLACE NOT ONLY AS PART OF THE OLYMPIC TYPE SPORTS OFFERED, BUT ALSO THROUGH OUR UNIFIED SPORTS YOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM AND ATHLETE LEADERSHIP COURSES TO ENHANCE OUR ATHLETES' OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. WHILE PROVIDING THE ATHLETES WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD MUSCLES AND SHARPEN MOTOR SKILLS, TRAINING ALSO BUILDS SELF-CONFIDENCE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM LIVE A BETTER LIFE.

HEALTHY PROGRAMS - STRIVE TO IMPROVE ATHLETES' WELL-BEING & OVERALL SPORTS EXPERIENCE THROUGH ENHANCEMENT OF HEALTH, WELLNESS & FITNESS INITIATIVES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS FITNESS AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS ROBUST HEALTHY ATHLETES PROGRAMMING, SOFL IS PAVING THE WAY FOR INCLUSIVE HEALTH. WE OFFER AN APPROACH THAT FOCUSES ON THE WHOLE PERSON WITH AN INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY & PROVIDE INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE & REFERRALS. ATHLETES ARE OFFERED IN EIGHT DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING HEALTH PROMOTION, PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS, PHYSICAL THERAPY, HEARING, VISION, PODIATRY, MENTAL WELLNESS, AND DENTAL CARE. SOFL TRAINS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE YEAR-ROUND FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. DURING 2021, THE PROGRAM PERFORMED 13,543 HEALTH SCREENINGS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF 211 HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. WE CONTINUED TO OFFER THESE SCREENINGS IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT IN 2021 AND THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDED IMPORTANT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING TO OUR ATHLETES.

OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS, AN EDUCATION PROJECT THAT USES SPORTS AND EDUCATION TO ACTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL YOUTH ARE AGENTS OF CHANGE - FOSTERING RESPECT, DIGNITY AND ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. ALSO INCLUDED IS THE YOUNG ATHLETE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN 2-7, COACHING AND OFFICIATING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS, ATHLETE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, ATHLETE LEADERSHIP AND THE PROMOTION OF TRAINING AND COMPETITION.