Transition Services Department

Nicole joined the Palm Beach School for Autism family in 2015. She started her career in education in 1994, working as an elementary school teacher in New York. She then began working with adults with disabilities in 1999. In 2002, she found her passion when she started her career in transition services working with high school students with special needs through Southern Westchester BOCES. In her tenure at Southern Westchester BOCES (NY), she provided direct student-centered transition services, family and professional development in 7 counties and served as the Director of the Hudson Valley Transition Coordination Site. There, she coordinated transition services in 15 counties. After relocating to Florida, she worked as a Transition Specialist with the School District of Palm Beach County. Nicole is skilled in developing community and inter-agency relationships and is happy to be leading the transition program at PBSFA. Outside of her professional role, Nicole enjoys spending time with her son and loves to read and cook.

Nicole can be reached at 561-533-9917 ext 360. You can also email her by clicking the envelope below.

Transitioning from High School into the adult world can be a scary time for all parents. For parents of young adults with special needs, it can seem overwhelming. Although your child can stay in school through their 22nd birthday, the key to successful transition lies in the planning you will do prior to school exit. At Palm Beach School for Autism, we strive to help our students lead as independent lives as possible. In high school, our students learn daily living skills in a training apartment: learning skills such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. Students learn pre-vocational skills in Occupational Therapy, classroom and on-campus job experiences. We have microenterprise employment training in customer service, barista training, laundry service, maintenance and more. High school students use the community as an extension of the classroom by participating in community-based instruction to learn how to behave appropriately in the community while being exposed to cultural and daily life activities with support from our staff. Community-based instruction experiences vary according to students’ needs and functioning level but can include activities such as food shopping, going to the post office, the movies, bowling, and restaurants. We work closely with families in developing post-high school goals for each student and providing the appropriate resources needed for life after high school.

APD: Agency for Persons with Disabilities   (561) 837-5564

The APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.

The Arc of Palm Beach County  561-721-2818

Respite is short-term care that helps a family of a disabled child or adult to take a break from the stress of their daily routine.The Arc is pleased to be able to offer two options for respite care, in-home and center-based.

United Community Options (954) 315-4078 or (954) 315-4080

United Community Options provides in home, short-term, respite care to children with varying exceptionalities. The individual’s family/caregiver benefits from the short-term relief from day to day stresses involved in caring for a child with special needs. Respite sitters are trained, loving and willing to care and assist families in need.

Vocational Rehabilitation     

Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor, West Palm Beach (561) 650-6804                              Vocational Rehabilitation ServiceSource, Greenacres (561) 808-1900

Mission:  To help people with disabilities find and maintain employment, and enhance their independence.  Vision: To become the first place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.

Habilitation Center Boca Raton  561-483-4200 

By offering a challenging range of comprehensive, individually-tailored vocational training programs and support services, our adults with disabilities have a unique opportunity to maximize their inherent potential and to become productive, contributing members of the community. Boca Hab’s Developmental training Programs utilizes a holistic approach to each client’s journey. To maximize independence, we offer training in areas such as vocational skills, socialization, self-advocacy, and self-esteem. Clients are offered training in manufacturing and horticulture and more. 

JARC Boca Raton  (561) 558-2572

JARC is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that offers a variety of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. They house a Training and Resource Center which offers the latest in vocational training as well as social and recreational programs. JARC has prevocational training which includes a postal fulfillment center, training in all aspects of the food services industry, maintenance training, off-site automotive detailing and more.JARC currently operates ten group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. They also have supported living apartments for adults who do not require 24-hour supervision in order to live as valued members of the community.

Palm Beach Habilitation Center 561-965-8500

Services offered by the Palm Beach Habilitation Center promote greater independence and enhance the quality of life of people with developmental, physical and/or emotional disabilities. Services offered include adult day programs, residential, employment training and placement.

Twin Palms Center for the Disabled  561-391-4874

Palm Beach Habilitation Center Inc.  561-965-8500

Exceptionalities 561-684-8666

United Community Options  (561) 357-7779

The ARC of Palm Beach County (561) 842-3213

Seagull Industries for the Disabled, Inc.  (561) 842-5814

Gulfstream Goodwill Day Training Programs (Transitions) 561-848-7200

A Place for You Adult Daycare and Rehab Center  561-965-6980

Florida Mentor 561-752-8824

Legal Aid Society PBC 

Angie Brafford, Paralegal 561-655-8944 ext 275

Judith Migdal-Mack, Esq. 561-655-8944 ext 269

Sheri L. Hazeltine & Associates, P.A. 561-243-4655

Elder law attorney Delray Beach   Email

Aaron D. Millman, Esq., CPA 561.362.0384
Chair, Elder Law & Life Care Planning

Nova Law Clinic  Jayme Cassidy 954-262-6248

Barry Taylor (Taylor & Taylor) 561-745-0757

Attorney, Jupiter, FL

Evan S. Kass, Esq. 561-932-1686

The Law Office of Evan S. Kass, P.L. Email

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program

Angie Hoffman, CWIC   561-352-9948 (cell)  561-828-5848 (FAX)

A certified Community Work Incentives Coordinator will provide benefits counseling, planning and analysis; information and referral to community resources; and assistance with understanding Social Security disability benefits, work incentives, and the Ticket to Work program.

Richard Friedkin, Friedkin Associates 561-772-2948

Provides in-depth individualized benefits counseling

Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc (CILO) 561-966-4288

CILO is an organization that provides resources and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Some of the resources we provide are: assisting families with IEP meetings; providing parent training; independent living skills training; after school/summer programs for adolescents; assistance with applying for entitlement benefits; social security appeals and more.

Autism After 21 561-213-5450 EMAIL

Autism After 21 will provide young adults with autism spectrum disorders the life skills training they will need to independently live full and functioning lives within our community.  This will be accomplished within a program that would promote physical and mental well-being through therapy, employment, education, housing and social opportunities. 

FAU SOAR Camp, Autism After 21 561-213-5450

Contact: Michelle Rubin

Summer Opportunity for Adult Readiness come to life. For youth with disabilities age 16-18, SOAR camp is a one week (weekdays) experience of supervised on-campus living, participation in classes specifically designed to assist with independent living skills and advocacy and participation in recreational activities. For 18-26-year-old young adults with disabilities, SOAR Camp is a two-week experience.

FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)                                                   Contact: Jennifer Pollack 561-297-2023

FAU CARD is a community-based program providing assistance and supports to people with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities, their families, the professionals serving them, employers and the community. FAU CARD was established and funded by the Florida Legislature through a grant through the Florida Department of Education to provide free services and supports to eligible constituents throughout our five-county service area: Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.

FAU CARD iRise2 Mentoring Program Contact: Darius Murray, (561) 213-6936

The iRISE2 Mentoring Program serves youth with autism and related disabilities. The goal of the program is to help youth reach their full potential for personal development and independence while enriching their social-cognitive capacity through interest-based mentoring.

***See also CILO, JARC and Palm Beach Habilitation Center for residential placements and information***