​9:45-10:30 Concurrent Sessions

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​Speaking up, making a difference, taking pride in oneself, and preparing for life is an art form known as self-advocacy! Join me in learning how to make this valuable art PRICELESS! 
 
Damien Hunte is a Regional School Liaison and Mentor Director for the Keiser University Multidisciplinary Center. Damien is an inspirational/motivational speaker and educator who has dedicated his life to leading, training, empowering, and motivating others to pursue their passion and purpose in life. Damien is no stranger to the field of education, holding a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from Keiser University and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Lynn University. He has over 12 years of experience teaching all in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) (students with disabilities). True to his passion for mentoring, Damien was instrumental in creating and developing the mentoring program of Keiser University Multidisciplinary Center, of which services 8 counties within the state of Florida.  Damien is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Palm Beach School for Autism. In addition to committing his life to mentoring, Damien faithfully served our country for 8 years in the United States Army and is a Servicemember Award recipient for his deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Note: There is a  passcode for this room: 265704

​Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to guardianship . . .
 
Viviana Bonilla López is an Equal Justice Works Fellow, Sponsored by the Florida Bar Foundation, at Disability Rights Florida (DRF). She currently leads DRF’s pilot program in Miami-Dade County where she provides free legal services to people with disabilities hoping to avoid or terminate a guardianship using Supported Decision-Making (SDM). Alongside Michael Lincoln-McCreight, she co-chairs a statewide coalition of advocates and people directly impacted by the guardianship system working to pass an SDM law in Florida. Previously, Viviana worked as a Law Fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center where she defended the civil rights of immigrants through impact litigation, direct representation, and policy work. Viviana earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she was a Root-Tilden-Kern Scholar, and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
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​What Is an Individual Special Needs Trust? Did you know that a person with a disability may be rendered ineligible for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other public benefits if they receive an inheritance or simply accumulates too much money in their account? Any amount over $2,000 in assets will negatively affect benefit eligibility. An individual special needs trust offers a way to protect the assets of a person with a disability while preserving their ability to receive public benefits. Funds can be distributed, as needed, to pay for extra care beyond what the government provides. Special needs trusts are an important focus of FND Trust Services. We can administer first-party special needs trusts to protect the assets of a person with a disability, or third-party special needs trusts established by family members to give or leave assets to a person with a disability. We can help you understand your options and how special needs trusts work so you can make an informed decision on this crucial matter. Available in Florida and throughout the U.S., our special needs trust services are personalized, efficient, and transparent.
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Stephanie Fabregas Porro, Esq. -Trust Advisor
For as long as she can remember, Stephanie has always had a passion for helping others. She is a Miami native who is fluent in Spanish. Her education includes studying abroad in International Business in Paris as well as studying Law in Spain. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in International Business at Florida International University, she went on to earn her J.D. at St. Thomas University School of Law where she graduated cum laude. While there, she was among a small group of students selected to participate in the very first Guardianship Law class to be taught in the state of Florida.
Stephanie earned a clerkship for the former Administrative Probate Judge in Miami Dade County and obtained a judicial internship with Unified Family Court. As a result, Stephanie found her professional calling in advocating for children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Stephanie is now an active member of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar as well as several Professional Guardian Associations throughout the state.
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Ally Walford, Program Director for PEN (Parent Education Network). She has been advocating for children with disabilities since 2005. As a parent of a former student with an IEP who is now navigating the adult world and workforce, she has years of first-hand experience to offer. Ally is a strong advocate for all students with disabilities and through her current position helps parents understand the processes, their rights, and find support for their students in schools and at home.

10:45-11:30 Concurrent Sessions

 
“The Importance of Mental Health & Strategies to Build Resilience and Self-Regulation”
Enrique Leon

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​Session Learning Goals:
  • Participants will be able to identify how trauma affects learning ability and behavior in the classroom.
Participants will be able to identify strategies to use that can help develop self-regulation skills and build resiliency. 
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​Understanding Social Security Work Incentives, programs, and the processes.
 
Dr. Yolanda Camhi has worked in the field of rehabilitation for the past 35 years. She held many positions over that time. However, for the last 10 years she has been focused on helping her clients who are receiving Social Security benefits to learn the rules of employment. She is a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor and loves to teach the Social Security Work Incentives to her clients and their families so that they can lose the fear of working and feel confident that they can make informed choices for themselves and reach their goals and dreams of employment.
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​The Project 10: Transition Education Network presentation will highlight vital transition planning and resource information available via Project 10’s comprehensive and user-friendly website, as well as offering information on transition services, post-secondary education and training options, resources within employments and work skills acquisition, benefits planning, transfer of rights, community resources, and more!
 
Franklin Coker is the Project 10 Regional Transition Representative for East-Central Florida. He provides training and technical assistance to 10 school districts and relevant stakeholders in the area of transition. Mr. Coker holds an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology. Franklin’s professional career includes 19 years of public education experience that includes roles as secondary classroom teacher, school psychologist, and district coordinator for secondary Exceptional Student Education programs. Franklin brings to Project 10 extensive training and work with students with disabilities, mental health counseling and behavioral interventions, problem solving and multi-tiered system of supports, data synthesis and analysis and a unique understanding of school district systems and organization.

​11:45-12:30 Concurrent Sessions

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​Learn more about post-secondary accessibility services and Project STAGE at IRSC.
 
Sherise Hobson has been an Education professional for over 20 years, working with students on all levels ranging from pre-school to college. Mrs. Hobson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and a Master of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling.  Mrs. Hobson had the privilege of being employed with the St. Lucie County School District as a middle school guidance counselor for several years and is currently employed at Indian River State College as a Student Accessibility Services Counselor and Adjunct Professor of Psychology. As a Student Accessibility Services Counselor, Mrs. Hobson’s primary responsibilities are to help students with disabilities transition to college and ensure that they have equal access to educational opportunities. 
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​Mary Kendle is currently the Project STAGE Program Assistant at Indian River State College assisting students meet their career goals and obtain employment.  She is dedicated to promoting independence and self-advocacy for young adults who are pursuing postsecondary education. She has worked on the Treasure Coast for 20 years serving students with disabilities.
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​Health Care Transition: the purposeful, planned movement of adolescents and young adults, with and without SHCN, from child-centered to adult-oriented health care systems.
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​Self-Advocacy. Work experience. Peer mentoring. Career exploration. Vocational Rehabilitation works with students, who have an IEP or 504, to help them prepare to transition out of high school. Are you interested in post-secondary training? Looking for a career that’s hands on, but not sure exactly what that looks like? Come talk with our counseling staff to see how we can help you prepare for your future.
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​With a background in Administration, Glorymar has a passion for Customer Service. She has been with the agency for over 4 years: 2 and half in our Miami Lakes Unit and for the past 2 years in the Indian River area as a VR Counselor.  We are working closely with the School District of Indian River to be able to reach more students than before and provide exciting experiences.
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​Denise has worked with VR for almost three years, first as a VR Counselor in the PSL office and currently as the Transition VR Counselor in the Stuart office. She a passion and heart for working with clients with unique abilities. She has worked as an Employment Specialist for over 20 years, a WIPA service provider for several years, a Case Manager and Travel Trainer, working in the Human Services field for well over half of my life. As the Transition Counselor, Denise loves to assist and see students move forward in life by achieving goals that they only needed someone to assist and believe in them in order to help achieve their dreams.  
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​Shonda started her career as a substitute teacher and worked her way up to a full-time position with St. Lucie and Okeechobee County School Districts. She has 13 years of experience with the schools, working with students in various positions. She started with Vocational Rehabilitation as a Rehabilitation Specialist and was promoted to the Transition Counselor position in March of 2020.