Life Stories: Let Us Help You Write Yours

 “Life Stories: Let Us Help You Write Yours” was a conference held last month at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola for parents of children with disabilities of any age. More than 40 area organizations provided information and training specific to concerns parents have about transition. As expected, many presenters tackled the issue of what to do once your child ages out of the school system. Also, the transition to preschool to kindergarten and elementary to high school were addressed. Sponsors like The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDDLRS), Parents of the Panhandle (POPIN), and Project 10 were just a few present to offer parents what they need to be equipped during the transition processes of their child living with disability.

More than 100 parents attended, receiving information about services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitation, Children’s Medical Services, SEDNET (a behavioral resource for school aged children), The Empowerment Parent Resource Center (a new resource that directs parents to resources), and PURE Empowerment Center (a Friday program that gives young adults the opportunity to socialize and exercise). Parents also learned about monthly Saturday respite and quarterly sibling workshops offered by PURE Friendship Ministries and SEDNET. The Empowerment Parent Resource Center, PURE Friendship Ministries, and the PURE Empowerment Center events on Fridays are all held at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in the A Building.

The Empowerment Parent Resource Center plans to host a yearly conference for parents in the four-county area (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties). Check their website for information regarding future conferences: www.projectempowernwfl.org.


Over 40 area organizations provided information and training specific to concerns parents have about transition.