UM-NSU CARD Transition & Adult Services:

  • Trainings
  • Support Groups
  • Social Outings
  • Workshops
  • Technical Assistance to Agencies and Professionals

Direct Assistance to Families in a variety of settings:

  • CARD office
  • Home
  • School & Transition program
  • Adult Programs
  • Employment or Volunteer settings
  • With professionals, agencies, or in other community settings

Transition Planning Information:

  • Transition Information & Considerations
  • Diploma options
  • School & community-based transition services and programs
  • Post-secondary Options such as: work, day programs, college or technical school, residential programs, volunteering
  • Transition & Adult services and supports

Consultation, Information, & Resource Referral related to:

  • Professionals-doctors, therapists, psychologists, etc.
  • Leisure & Recreational Activities
  • Social Security
  • Employment
  • Medicaid
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • APD & Medicaid Waiver
  • Transportation
  • Affordable Housing
  • Guardianship
  • Disclosure & Accommodations in the workplace and in post-secondary settings
  • Other Agencies, Benefits, and Programs
  • And more...

Links to Transition & Adult Related Information:

Employment & Vocational:

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)—Assists individuals with disabilities with supports and planning to reach career or employment goals. May assist with technical training, continuing education, self-employment, and supported employment among a variety of other services. Also provides training and information to employers. http://www.rehabworks.org/

Workforce Florida--These agencies have One-Stop Centers which provide job search assistance including job listings, workshops on resume writing and interviewing skills, and information about programs and other assistance for job seekers. The state website is: https://www.employflorida.com/.

Providers differ by county:

Government Agencies and Programs:

Social Security—Two programs provide benefits to children and adults with disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits based on disability and work credits in the social security system. Eligibility for this program may also include Medicare. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is need-based and pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Eligibility for this program may include Medicaid. Information about various work incentive programs is available online through the Red Book. http://www.ssa.gov

Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)—Supports individuals with disabilities and provides oversight for various programs, including determining eligibility for the Medicaid Waiver program. APD contracts with Support Coordinators who work with families to develop a support and cost plan. The Medicaid Waiver program pays for a variety of services, examples include: adult day training, residential services, behavior analysis, speech therapy, and supported employment. For a complete list of services and eligibility information visit the website. http://apd.myflorida.com/

Medicaid—Provides medical coverage to individuals and families that meet income guidelines. (Not to be confused with the Medicaid Waiver program). http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/

Florida Discount Drug Card—Provides discounts on prescriptions for Florida residents who have no drug insurance coverage and meet income guidelines. http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)—Provides assistive technology demonstrations, financing, device loans, and accessible housing information. http://faast.org/

Center for Independent Living (CIL)—Provides information and referral related to housing, employment, assistive technology, advocacy, and other supports. Visit the Florida Independent Living Council website to learn about the office closest to you. http://www.flailc.org/

Housing:

In addition to county housing agencies listed below, check with your local city government which may have additional housing assistance. In some cases loans or grants may be available to assist in making accommodations to the home of an individual with special needs.

Miami-Dade Housing Agency: http://www.miamidade.gov/housing/

Broward County Housing Authority: http://www.bchafl.org/

Monroe County Housing & Community Development: http://monroecofl.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/MonroeCoFL_CommDev/index

Transportation:

In addition to fixed-route public transportation, local county (and in some cases city) governments provide paratransit service for individuals with disabilities. Services may include travel training on how to use public transportation or door-to-door transportation service.

Broward: http://www.broward.org/bct/paratransit.htm
Dade: http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/paratransit.asp
Monroe: http://monroecofl.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/MonroeCoFL_Social/transportation

Legal

Guardianship Information-- http://www6.miami.edu/futureplanning/legal_def_low.html

The following agencies provide Information, referral, and legal assistance to individuals who meet income guidelines:

Florida Bar –Provides information related to finding attorneys, links to local legal aid providers, pro bono attorneys, and the lawyer referral services (which provides low-cost consultations). http://www.floridabar.org/

Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities—Provides advocacy and legal resources to individuals with regard to public benefits, workplace rights, education, and community access. http://www.advocacycenter.org/

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—Accepts complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and allegations of discrimination based on disability and other categories of protected status. http://www.eeoc.gov/

Leisure & Recreation

In addition to county recreational programs, local city governments may provide additional recreational opportunities to both children and adults. In some cases, agencies which provide adult services, may offer supportive recreational programs as well. Some providers can be found using the APD website and searching providers.

Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation: Leisure Access, http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/fun-leisure-access.asp
Broward County Parks and Recreation: Special Populations, http://www.broward.org/parks/special.htm

General Information & Referral:

Each county maintains its own information and referral service. These agencies can provide additional information on community services including low-cost community mental health services, educational providers, youth programs, and other social services.

Miami-Dade:
Switchboard of Miami—Call 211 from a local phone or search the online directory:
http://switchboardmiami.communityos.org/taxonomy/taxonomy_overview.taf?function=detail

Broward:
First Call for Help—Call 211 from a local phone or search the online directory:
http://www.irissoft.com/fcfb/

Monroe:
Helpline—Call 305-296-HELP (4357) or visit the website for more information:
http://www.keyshelpline.org/index.html

Adult Services
Link to Calendar of EventsLink to Visitors' ForumLink to Directors' Blog