Easter Seals Florida Inc

TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

ADULT SERVICES:ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE: EASTER SEALS FLORIDA'S ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS SERVE ADULTS AGES 18 AND UP WITH A DISABILITY OR SPECIAL NEEDS, MEMORY IMPAIRMENT, SUCH AS ALZHEIMER'S OR OTHER DEMENTIA RELATED DISORDERS INCLUDING PARKINSON'S, STROKE, AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN A FULL MULTI-SENSORY AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES CURRICULUM THAT ENCOURAGES AND PROMOTES INDEPENDENCE, SOCIALIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FUNCTION AND SKILLS. OUR STAFF ARE TRAINED FACILITATORS PROVIDING SEVERAL RESEARCHED-BASED AND EVIDENCE-BASED ARTS ACTIVITY PROGRAMS, ALLOWING OUR MEMBERS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY, ENHANCING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MEMBERS, IN A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. RELIEVING SOCIAL ISOLATION, AS WELL AS PROVIDING RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS, ARE IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMS. WE ARE PROUD TO ALSO SERVE MANY VETERANS. ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE SERVICES CAN BE A TRUE ALTERNATIVE TO NURSING HOME PLACEMENT, ALLOWING AN INDIVIDUAL TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AT HOME DURING ACUTE OR CHRONIC ILLNESS.ORANGE COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM: COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF SENIORS 55+ IN THE EAST ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY, EASTER SEALS FLORIDA OFFERS THERAPEUTIC RECREATION, ARTS AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES AT THE EAST ORANGE COMMUNITY CENTER. FITNESS CLASSES, SENIOR SOCIALS, GAMES, ART, MUSIC, AND DANCE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE OFFERINGS PROVIDED BY OUR TRAINED STAFF. PARTICIPANT INPUT IS ACTIVELY USED TO STRUCTURE OUR MONTHLY EVENT CALENDAR INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL TOPICS OF INTEREST.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: EASTER SEALS FLORIDA WORKPLACE DEVEOPMENT TEAM OFFERS VOCATIONAL OPTIONS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES BASED UPON THEIR STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS. SERVICES INCLUDE A LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (ALSO KNOWN AS ADULT DAY TRAINING) PROGRAM IN A FACILITY-BASED SETTING AND A LIFE, EMPLOYMENT-READINESS AND COMMUNITY (LEC) SKILLS PROGRAM WITH A CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE IN THE HOME AND AT WORK BY TEACHING AND DEVELOPING LIFE, EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND COMMUNITY SKILLS. EASTER SEALS PROVIDES SHORT TERM VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING ASSISTING ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE A DESIRE TO BECOME EMPLOYED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. STUDENTS CAN EARN THREE INTERNATIONALLY-INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION (IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL), HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, AND FIELD EXPERIENCES. EASTER SEALS ALSO PROVIDES SUPERVISED WORK GROUPS WHO TRAVEL TO LOCAL BUSINESSES DAILY TO PERFORM JOB DUTIES ON-SITE AS WELL AS SUPPORTED AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR CLIENTS READY FOR COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT, ASSISTING THEM WITH PRE-EMPLOYMENT SKILLS TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND ON-GOING SUPPORT. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ALSO ASSIST LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND CONTRACTS WITH EASTER SEALS FLORIDA TO PROVIDE A COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION FOR STAFFING AND PRODUCT FULFILLMENT.

CAMPING AND RECREATION: EASTERSEALS CAMP CHALLENGE OFFERS HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS, AGES SIX THROUGH ADULTHOOD, AN OVERNIGHT CAMPING EXPERIENCE. CAMPERS HAVE A CHANCE TO ENJOY OUTDOOR RECREATION, SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS, RELAXATION DURING THEIR SUMMER VACATION, WEEKLONG CAMPS IN WINTER AND SPRING AND RESTFUL WEEKEND GETAWAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SET ON 61 BEAUTIFUL ACRES, CAMPERS STAY IN AIR-CONDITIONED/HEATED CABINS, AND PARTICIPATE IN MANY FULLY ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ZIP LINING, SWIMMING, TARGET RANGE, ARTS AND CRAFTS, SPORTS AND GAMES, TALENT SHOWS, DANCES AND MANY OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS. CAMP CHALLENGE PROMOTES ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE REGARDLESS OF THE CHALLENGES A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY FACES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION, A LOW CAMPER-TO-COUNSELOR RATIO ENSURES A QUALITY YET FUN AND EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:ADVOCACY - EASTER SEALS FLORIDA PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS BY:1. MONITORING LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS.2. PROVIDING PARENTS, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUAL WITH ADVOCACY.3. SERVING AS A COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE.4. VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE ON LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.5. ACTING AS CONSULTANTS TO CHILDCARE PROFESSIONAL HELPING THEM GAIN EXPERTISE IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND ADAPT THEIR SETTINGS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS THEIR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS.6. CREATING AWARENESS AND PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH MEDIA SPOTS, PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISING AND SPECIAL AWARDS PROGRAMS.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES:CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES/SPECIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN, FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE, IN AN INCLUSIVE, PRESCHOOL, EDUCATIONAL SETTING. BASED UPON EACH CHILD'S NEEDS, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED, AND ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MADE FOR THERAPY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO OCCUR DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. EDUCATION AND THERAPIES ARE PROVIDED IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TO PROMOTE GROWTH, LEARNING AND SUCCESS.EARLY STEPS: EARLY STEPS, ALSO KNOWN AS IDEA, PART C, OFFERS EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS (BIRTH TO THIRTY-SIX MONTHS) WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS OR AN ESTABLISHED CONDITION LIKELY TO RESULT IN A DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY. EASTER SEALS FLORIDA IS ONE OF FOURTEEN CONTRACTED LOCAL EARLY STEPS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE. AS THE CONTRACT HOLDER FOR TWO EARLY STEPS PROGRAMS, SERVING SEVEN COUNTIES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, EASTER SEALS FLORIDA CONDUCTS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EVALUATIONS FOR ANY CHILD SUSPECTED AS BEING DELAYED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES; PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN; AND COORDINATES WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND OTHER CONTRACTED PROVIDERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF NEEDED EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.FAMILY DISABILITY NAVIGATION: THIS PROGRAM SERVES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN FIVE TARGETED GEOGRAPHIC SECTORS IN ORANGE COUNTY. COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, EASTER SEALS FLORIDA NAVIGATORS WORK DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES WHERE THEY LIVE TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, RESOURCE NAVIGATION, WORKSHOPS, AND TRAININGS. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING, ADVOCACY, AND PROMOTING BEST PRACTICES.THERAPY SERVICES: THE EARLY INTERVENTION ASSESSMENT TEAM (EIAT) PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATIONS FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 35 MONTHS OF AGE WHO HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE HEALTHY BEGINNINGS ENTRY AGENCY, BASED ON A SCORE OF "CONCERN" ON THE ASQ-3. THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT TEAM IS TO ENSURE THE FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS RECEIVE SERVICES AND REFERRALS FROM THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS MANNER IN THE HOME-SETTING ENVIRONMENT. THE TEAM DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND REFERS TO ONE OF THE THREE AGENCIES WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY'S HEALTHY BEGINNING'S SYSTEM OF CARE.BEHAVIORAL THERAPY ORANGE COUNTY: THE FAMILIES IN TRAINING (FIT) BEHAVIORAL THERAPY PROGRAM PROVIDES BCBA LED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE 22 YEARS OLD. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE BCBA CONDUCTED ASSESSMENTS AND BCBA PROVIDED THERAPY. THE FIT PROGRAM UTILIZES A PARENT EDUCATIONAL CONCEPT THAT ASSISTS FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES. BY TEACHING THE PARENTS BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION SKILLS, PARENTS INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR CHILD'S PROBLEM BEHAVIORS. THIS IN-HOME BEHAVIOR THERAPY PROGRAM IS PROVIDED TO ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS AT NO COST TO THEM AND IS FULLY FUNDED BY ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.PLAY PROJECT: THE PLAY PROJECT IS AN EVIDENCED-BASED, INTENSIVE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. EASTERSEALS' CERTIFIED PLAY PROJECT CONSULTANTS PROVIDE IN HOME COACHING AND EDUCATION TO PARENTS TEACHING THEM TO ENGAGE THEIR CHILD IN A PLAYFUL WAY THAT PROMOTES HIS/HER DEVELOPMENT. THIS PARENT IMPLEMENTED MODEL OF AUTISM EARLY INTERVENTION HAS BECOME A NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SUCCESSFUL METHOD TO HELP YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL WHILE ALSO EMPOWERING PARENTS WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH.EARLY LEARNING INTERVENTION PROGRAM: THE EARLY LEARNING & INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ELIP) PROVIDES SHORT-TERM, GAP EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO 5 YEARS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. CHILDREN EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN DEVELOPMENT BUT MAY NOT MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EARLY STEPS OR CHILD FIND ARE ABLE TO TURN TO EASTERSEALS TO RECEIVE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES, PARENT EDUCATION, AND SERVICE COORDINATION. THIS PROGRAM IS AN IN-HOME PROGRAM WITH AN OPTION OF SOME SERVICE OCCURRING IN THE CHILD'S SCHOOL SETTING.INCREDIBLE YEARS: THE INCREDIBLE YEARS IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED GROUP PROGRAM SERVING BOTH CAREGIVERS AND CHILDREN AGES 3-8 YEARS. FAMILIES ENROLL IN A 14-WEEK SESSION THAT FOCUSES ON BUILDING STRONG PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND PREVENTING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR THROUGH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, SELF-REGULATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. PROGRAM SESSIONS ARE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES A HOME EDUCATION COMPONENT.