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Department of Special Needs

 
Email: Michelle LaRocque - Department of Special Needs


About Special Needs

With disability rates in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach areas higher than the national average, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has made a commitment to address this issue with the creation of the Department of Special Needs.
Message from Committee Chair, Dr. Carol Smokler

We are so pleased to be launching our new special needs web site. Our community, under the able leadership of Dr. Michelle LaRocque, is strongly committed to seeing that families with special needs members find a home in our community.

We are hoping to strengthen the Jewish community's special needs resources, as well as to help members of the community find services for their loved ones. Over time this site will provide more information, connections and opportunities for the special needs community.

We are looking forward to working together to make sure that every Jewish person is treated with dignity and given an opportunity to live a Jewish life in South Palm Beach County.


The Department of Special Needs at the Jewish Federation of SPBC supports existing community resources, and collaborates with families, agencies, congregations, and schools to obtain and enhance services for children and adults with disabilities. We provide training and resources to assist families in securing the knowledge they need to become better advocates. The following activities support our goals:
  • Providing critical information for communal planning on gaps in service, for the purpose of identifying, developing, and instituting future initiatives.
  • Promote collaboration among agencies, synagogues and organizations toward this end.
  • Providing consultation to special needs program directors in Jewish community institutions.
  • Coordinating training of Jewish community personnel and volunteers, and sensitization of the entire community.
  • Coordinating and provide information to families with special needs, including production of hard copy and on-line resource guides.
  • Advocating and guiding families through “the system” of Jewish and general community services.
For additional information, please contact: Dr. Michelle LaRocque, Director of Community Special Needs Services, by phone: 561-852-3175 and/or email: michellel@bocafed.org

 
Directory of Services - PDF Document Department of Special Needs: Disability Resource Guide and Directory (PDF Document)
As the caregiver of an individual with special needs, you have begun an unplanned journey to help your family member grow and reach his/her maximum potential. For many people on this journey, there is often a sense of feeling isolated. But you are not alone. As you will see from the many listings in this Resource Guide, there are many excellent organizations and programs available to assist you and your family access the information you need.




Special Needs Leisure, Social and Recreation Programs: Community Ed Program July 29
Monday, July 13, 2009

“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 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.

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Federation Special Needs Department Launches Education Series; Behavior Will Be June 30 Topic
Monday, June 8, 2009

“Behavior Basics: Getting the Services You Need” will be the topic of the June session of a new Special Needs Community Education Series co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s new Department of Special Needs Services, and the Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC). The program will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 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.

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Jewish Federation Shows High Priority on Special Needs With New Director
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

With learning disabilities and special needs in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach areas even higher than the 15 percent national average, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County recently made an even greater commitment to address the issue head on with the addition of Dr. Michelle LaRocque as Director of Community Special Needs Services. The position was strongly recommended by the Federation's Special Needs Task Force, a group of local agency representatives, family members and professionals.

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JARC Exceptional Theatre Group
Date: April 11, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS IN LOCAL JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS

We are particularly looking for individuals to assist students in Math, Science and Hebrew. For more information,to volunteer, or to make a donation to this program contact Dr. Michelle LaRocque at (561) 852-3175 and/or michellel@bocafed.org.

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