The Children's Services Council of Broward County (CSC) and Joe Di Maggio's Children's Hospital partnered to present a Children with Special Needs Family Resource Fair and Teens' Transition to Life Summit at the Signature Grand, in Davie. Attended by hundreds, the event provided a fun and informative day for the entire family. Parents learned about resources available through special needs organizations in Broward, younger children participated in a variety of activities including mingling with pirates and sing-alongs, and teens participated in a series of workshops, co-sponsored by the Center for Independent Living, where they received valuable information on skills and resources needed to transition to adulthood.

A highlight of the day was a special presentation by Sarah Vazquez, a young woman who was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of four. A graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned BA degrees in Psychology and English, she is currently a Support Coordinator with Neighbors Inc. and a writer for the World Institute on Disabilities of Oakland, CA. In a humorous but compelling way, Ms. Vazquez described how her mother raised her mindful of two major facts: that rice and beans could not be missing from the dinner table due to her Puerto Rican heritage, and the knowledge and awareness that she could do anything she put her mind to. "I was the youngest of 4 children. The only girl, with three brothers" she said. "I could do a whole plenary session on growing up as a girl with three brothers."

Through her inspiring life experiences, she shared with the audience that youth with disabilities and their families have boundless potential in their individual talents and gifts. Ms. Vazquez emphasized that youth must take an active part in their education and understand their unique way of learning to express themselves at school and beyond and pave their own road through life.

The Children's Services Council of Broward is an independent taxing authority which was established by a public referendum on September 5, 2000, which, through Public Act, Chapter 2000-461 of the laws of Florida, authorized the Council to levy up to 0.5 mills of property taxes. The role of the Council is to provide the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance children's lives and empower them to become responsible, productive adults through collaborative planning and funding of a continuum of quality care.