Betsy Farmer
1490 Dowd Crt. SE
Palm Bay, FL 32909
Career Summary
July 2005 to PresentBrevard Business Leadership Network- Founder/Executive Director
Establishing a network of employers dedicated to expanding the
employment & career opportunities for students and adults with
disabilities. 1/08 Created employment agency to provide hands on career
coaching to Brevard residents with disabilities.
October 2002 – October 2004CommunityDevelopmentManager–NationalCenter for Boundless
Playgrounds – helping Florida communities build handicapped
accessible playgrounds
Instrumental in establishing Florida Boundless Playgrounds Initiative
with Governor Jeb Bush
December 1987 – April 2001Co-founder/Executive Director of Space Coast Early Intervention
Center(SCEIC)-non-profit preschool for children with and without
special needs
*SCEIC began with 3 children and 1 paid teacher in 1987 and grew to
an enrollment of 72 children and staff of 36 by 2001 – that included
ESE teachers, Occupation, Physical and Speech therapists working in
an interdisciplinary model
*SCEIC was a nationally recognized early intervention enter that drew
visitors from around the world
*Over $5million was raised from 1987 – 2001 from local and national
fundraising efforts
June 1993 County Campaign Manger for Florida Children’s Campaign
March 1987Co-founder of UP WITH DOWNS – a support group for families of
children with Down syndrome
Professional
Memberships
Florida Association of Professionals in Supported Employment
National Society of Fundraising Executives
Council for Exceptional Children
National Down syndrome Congress
South Brevard Professional Women’s Network
Melbourne/Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce
FloridaCenter for Children and Youth
National Association for Education of Young Children
Betsy Farmer
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Special Recognitions
11/07Re-appointed by Governor Charlie to the Florida Developmental Disabilities
Council. Re-appointed as member of the Employment Task Force
2/06 Honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame with the “Keeper of the Flame”
Award – one of only 6 women Nationally
3/02South Brevard, Boy Scouts of America Honoree
4/00Appointed to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council by Governor
Jeb Bush – Member of the Employment Task Force. Served as Chair from 2002 – 2006.
12/99Received the 1999 Women of Achievement Honor from the SpaceCoast
Division of March of Dimes
11/99Received the 1999 Women at their Best Cover Girl/Glamour Award
2/98Received the Heart of Gold Award from the Brevard County/American Heart
Association
9/97 Received FANO (Florida Association of Non-profit Organizations) Award of
Excellence as the 1997 Humanitarian of the Year
6/97One of Ten Nationwide recipients awarded the Publishers Clearing HouseGood
as Gold Award in recognition as one of the “nations finest community servants”
10/96Received the White Rose Achievement Award from March of Dimes Birth
Defects Foundation, SpaceCoast Division
12/96Recognized by the BrevardCounty Commissioners for Outstanding
Achievements and Meritorious Contributions to Children
10/96Nominated by Governor Bob Martinez for the Lewis Hine Award for Service to
Children and Youth, as the top volunteer in the State of Florida
6/92One of eight people nationally to receive the “As They Grow Award” from
Parents Magazine for “making the Country a better place for everyone”
9/89Appointed by Governor Bob Martinez to the State Coordinating Council for
Early Childhood Services
Betsy Farmer
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Accomplishments
In October of 2006 the Brevard BLN successfully facilitated a Brevard
community agency and business partner collaboration. A $175,000 Grant was
secured from the State of Florida through Workforce Florida, Inc. to fund
Project SEARCH. With an additional $382,000 in matching funds and in-kind
Donations leveraged for classroom space, equipment,
and personnel. The Project SEARCH program in BrevardCounty is the first in
the state of Florida. Project SEARCH provides a comprehensive approach to
employment, job retention, and career advancement for youth and adults with
with disabilities. Collaborative partners: Brevard Workforce Development Board,
Brevard BLN, Brevard Public Schools, Health First Corporation, Mercedes
Homes Corporation, BrevardAchievementCenter and Bridges.
In 1996 helped to establish the first Brevard County Inter-Agency Collaborative
Agreement between HolmesRegionalMedicalCenter, BrevardCountySchool
System and the Child Care Association – to benefit preschool children and their
families
SpaceCoastEarlyInterventionCenter named 1997 Outstanding Organization of
the Year by the Florida Today Newspaper
In January of 1997, as part of the H.O.P.E collaboration, Betsy Farmer, members
of the Executive team from HolmesRegionalMedicalCenter and 6 other
community leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the coveted 1997
NOVA Award from the American Hospital Association at its annual meeting.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna E. Shalala praised H.O.P.E.
for it’s success in providing a seamless continuum of services for BrevardCounty
children with disabilities and those at risk.
Additional Training
*Supported Competitive Integrated Employment Training Project
Discovering the Personal Genius/ Marketing and Job Development
*Orientation to Supported Employment training
*National Society of Fundraising Executives Conference
*The FundraisingSchool of IndianaUniversity of Philanthropy
*Effective Time Management Training Program
*Tompkins-CortlandCommunity College, Dryden, New York