“Leisure, Social and Recreational Programs” will be the July topic of the Special Needs Community Education Series co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Department of Special Needs Services, and the Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC). Guest speakers from organizations that provide this programming for children and adults with special needs will talk with families on Wednesday, July 29, from 6:00-7:30 pm, in the JARC Living and Learning Center on the Federation’s campus west of Boca Raton, at 21160 95th Avenue South.

The Special Needs Community Education Series is free of charge and includes supervision and activities for participants’ children or other family members, as well as refreshments.  To RSVP, contact nancyf@jarcfl.org or 561-558-2550.

The July 29 program will feature Jackie Lambert, Therapeutic Recreation Center; Marianne Jacobs, Levis JCC; Kevin Weisenberg, Future Starzz; Phil Bradley,YMCA; and Exceptional Vacations. Information from Broward Parks and Recreation Special Needs will be available. Dr. Michelle LaRocque, the Federation’s new Special Needs Director, organizes and moderates the series with Nancy Frewald, JARC Outreach Coordinator. Future programs will feature topics in response to participants’ needs.

“Participants will gain information on how to advocate for their family members to ensure that they get the services they need to lead independent and productive lives,” explained Dr. LaRocque, an Associate Professor of Exceptional Student Education at Florida Atlantic University with 23 years experience in the field of special needs, who is currently on sabbatical.

“Any individual who knows or cares for someone with a disability from birth to adulthood will benefit from this series,” LaRocque continued. “With child and adult care available, we have worked to make our programming as accessible as possible.”

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Department of Special Needs Services works with families, agencies, congregations, and schools to obtain and enhance services for children and adults with disabilities, providing training and resources to assist families in securing the knowledge they need to become better advocates.

For more information, contact michellel@bocafed.org or 561-852-3175.