Specialized Health Needs
UCP of Central Florida (2020), received a $1.5 million grant to seed construction on the UCP Healthy West Orange Campus in Winter Garden, an inclusive learning environment that welcomes children with and without disabilities.
UCP of Central Florida (2018) was awarded $83,000 to expand mental health and behavioral programs for approximately 100 children with disabilities in west Orange County. The grant will help create programming and resources to evaluate and develop mental-health treatment plans; provide individual, group and family therapy; and measure local outcomes.
UCP of Central Florida (2015), a tuition-free public charter school for children with and without disabilities, was awarded $148,843 to support programs and services to reduce obesity, improve overall health and nutrition, improve family functioning and enhance access to communication through assistive technology.
The organization was also awarded (2014) $110,403 to support a program to provide services to children with disabilities and special healthcare needs in collaboration with Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (2021), which received a $25,000 grant toward its “Controlling Our Risk Everyday,” or CORE, program specifically for African-American families and care partners. African Americans have a high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The grant will cover costs of instruction, nutritional counseling and educational workshops to help families become healthier and potentially stave off the onset of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (2017) was awarded $24,960 to support an educational series and enable the center to keep regular office hours (half of one day a week) in the West Orange community.
Jack & Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center (2020), which received a $25,000 grant to launch the Brain Fitness Academy program in west Orange County. The program will create a therapeutic environment to maximize the health and wellbeing of individuals as young as 45 living with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia.
Camp Boggy Creek (2020), which received a $25,000 grant to enable at least 12 families from west Orange County to attend one of eight Fall Family Retreat weekends. Each three-day weekend is specially designed for families managing chronic and/or life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, hemophilia, diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy, and heart and respiratory ailments.
Winter Garden Art Association (2019), which received a $21,570 grant to cover the cost of art classes for seniors experiencing various stages of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Two painting classes will be offered at SoBo Art Center in Winter Garden and Orlando Health Memory Care and Rehabilitation Center in Ocoee.
Quest, Inc. (2019),which supports individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, was awarded $25,000 for its “Kids Health, Wellness and Safety” program. Designed to teach and reinforce specific life skills, the behavioral therapy program focuses on such things as planning and preparing healthy food; tolerating medical, dental and hygiene procedures; and exercising and participating in organized sports.
Quest, Inc. (2015) was awarded $15,000 to provide Applied Behavioral Therapy, communication and physical therapy to children with physical and cognitive developmental delays. The grant helps ensure continuity of care by alleviating some of the out-of-pocket financial burden to families.
The organization was also awarded (2016) $113,900 to support the organization’s Healthy Quest Kids Wellness Project, which offers Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy in 14 areas of health and wellness, including nutrition and fitness.
Special Olympics Florida (2018) was awarded $75,000 to help activate national special-education programs in 35 west Orange County schools. The grant will help the organization recruit and train teachers, coaches and volunteers to activate the programs, which promote social inclusion and prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for sport-specific activities.
Lift Disability Network (2018) was awarded $25,000 toward the organization’s Wholeness Circle Care Program, which provides individual case management, assessment tools, direct services, referrals and on-going education to individuals and families living with disabilities.
Muscular Dystrophy Association (2019) was awarded $20,000 to fully fund a week of MDA summer sleep-away camp for 20 local children. The camp provides special nutrition, fitness and fun activities for kids with Muscular Dystrophy, ALS or related muscle-debilitation diseases. The District also funded this program in 2018 (10,000), 2016 ($10,000) and 2015 ($8,000).
Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (2017) was awarded $15,000 to provide neurological care, diagnostics and related services for economically disadvantaged and uninsured residents with epilepsy.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (2016) was awarded $267,154 to support its Healthy Pantry program, increasing access to nutritious food for low-income, at-risk individuals struggling with diet-related diseases.
Attain, Inc. (2016), which serves local children and adults with developmental disabilities, was awarded $250,000 toward the establishment of a safe, affordable residential home for a small group of individuals, offering them the opportunity to engage in daily living activities and improving their quality of life.
Winter Garden Rotary Club Foundation (2016), which provides free medical equipment to individuals in need, was awarded $25,000 to support its program.
The Howard Phillips Center (2015), which advocates for the needs of children who have medical, emotional and developmental challenges, was awarded $137,000 to support a mobile health unit providing medical, mental health, nutrition education and family-centered case management to uninsured/underinsured adolescents at Ocoee and West Orange high schools.
The Birth Place (2015) was awarded $169,200 to provide maternity care services for indigent, uninsured and underinsured women who are at risk for a poor birth outcome. The grant helps expand access to maternity healthcare, educational support and psychosocial/mental health counseling.
The Brain Foundation (2013) was awarded $150,000 toward the purchase and renovation of Dave’s House, a home for individuals recovering from mental health issues.
Center for Change (2013) was awarded $24,930 to provide colon cancer health assessments and FIT colon screenings to at-risk residents in west Orange County. Follow-up included physician and program referrals as well as nutrition, gardening and fitness educational programs.