Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation in Tallahassee, Florida, is now permanently closed. Tallahassee is just east of Panama City Beach and West of Jacksonville, in the panhandle. Local landmarks include the Tallahassee Automobile Museum and Goodwood Museum and Gardens.

Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

While the organization didn’t offer structured substance abuse treatment, they were the first public rehabilitation program in the area that provided services for individuals with disabilities.

They opened in 1920 and by the end of the second year had 300 active clients. Since then, I’m glad that they evolved to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, including job programs, job services and employment services. They still have more than 90 locations throughout the state.

Programs Address Substance Use Triggers

Individuals with disabilities face the same challenges of substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, as the general population. Homelessness and a lack of employment are two stressors that can trigger relapse. Before closing their doors, this site was committed to helping individuals improve their independence and quality of life in Florida.

This included job programs for individuals with a hearing or sight disability, promoting independent living and self-determination. I saw that they offered supported employment in a competitive environment for adults and students.

The job services program helped with career counseling and guidance as well as diagnostic testing, which included psychological evaluations, vocational and intellectual evaluation and work site evaluations. Family members were encouraged to participate when appropriate and interpreter services for individuals who were deaf, hard of hearing or spoke a foreign language were available.