Student Resources
Child Care Center Services
Chappell Schools offer childcare for FSCJ students at Downtown, Kent, North, and South campuses, as well as the Deerwood Center location. Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is available at select locations, and camps may be offered during select academic breaks. For additional information, please visit the Child Care webpage.
Child Care Grant
FSCJ students may be eligible for child care tuition assistance through the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) grant. For more information, vist the CCAMPIS Grant webpage.
Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center
The Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center (VERC) is a community-based rehabilitation program for children, high school students, and adults with blindness or low vision. The mission of the Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center is to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired by providing a comprehensive program of rehabilitation training, serving as a resource for families and employers, and enhancing public awareness and understanding of vision loss.
Funding for this program is provided by the State of Florida Department of Education Division of Blind Services and Florida State College at Jacksonville. Since 1977, VERC has provided a steadily growing continuum of services to individuals with low vision and blindness residing in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns Counties. Through specialized training provided by a staff of certified professionals, individuals acquire the skills necessary to gain or retain independence and confidence in the home, school, workplace, and community.
The Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center operates under five primary contracts with the Department of Education Division of Blind Services and provides services across the lifespan.
Children’s Program (Ages 5–13)
The Children’s Program is available to children ages 5 through 13 who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Services focus on the development of foundational skills necessary for independence, school success, and community participation. Instruction is provided in areas such as daily living skills, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, social interaction, and readiness skills, with an emphasis on family involvement and collaboration with educational and community partners.
Transition Services (Ages 14–22)
Transition Services are available to students ages 14 through 22 who are being served by the school system under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan due to vision loss. Program activities are designed to enhance core competencies necessary for successful community integration, career exploration, and employment readiness. Services may include workplace readiness training, career counseling, job exploration, and participation in paid or unpaid work-based learning experiences.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Adults)
Vocational Rehabilitation Services are intended to enable adults to prepare for, attain, maintain, and advance in competitive integrated employment. Services may include job readiness training, job development, job placement, and follow-up support.
Adult and Older Blind Programs
The Adult and Older Blind Programs focus on enabling adults, including older individuals, to gain, attain, and retain the skills necessary to live in their homes and communities with an optimal level of independence.
Specific Service Options:
Adjustment to Blindness Counseling
Individual counseling and support group sessions
Assistive Technology
Keyboarding and computer operations
Adaptive software, including screen magnification and screen readers
Mainstream business applications and Internet navigation
Smart home automation
Mobile device accessibility and apps
3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies
Communications, Optical, and Non-Optical Devices
Lighting and glare filters
Magnifiers and electronic aids
Braille instruction
Independent Living Skills
Home and personal management
Personal and household safety
Orientation and Mobility
Sighted guide and support aids
White cane skills and navigation
Community travel options
Job Readiness and Employment Services
Resume development and interview preparation
Job development and placement
Work-based learning experiences
ADA accommodations and laws
Located at the Downtown Campus since 1982, the Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center is fully accredited by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER). VERC is an active member of the Florida Agencies Serving the Blind (FASB), a collaborative interagency community that facilitates coordinated training practices. VERC provides public education for groups and individuals, offers in-services for related professionals, and actively participates in health fairs, awareness activities, and vision seminars. VERC serves as an observation and training site for several college programs. VERC serves over 400 individuals annually. For additional information, please call (904) 633-8220 or visit the VERC webpage.
Student Support Services
Florida State College at Jacksonville recognizes the importance of assisting and encouraging all students to reach their full potential. The College ensures that its admission requirements are uniformly applied, and that its services, activities, facilities, and academic programs are accessible to and usable by all qualified students. The Student Support Services staff implement and coordinate reasonable accommodations and disability-related services to promote the full participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of college life. Additionally, they serve as a resource for students who are experiencing financial, legal, or personal situations that create barriers to their academic success. The student support coordinator staff meet with the student individually to assess their situation and offer college and community resources and referrals to support student success.
Contact Information
Associate Director of Student Support Services: (904) 361-6216
Student Support Coordinators:
Deerwood Center: (904) 997-2689
Downtown Campus: (904) 633-8488
Kent Campus/Cecil Center: (904) 381-3500
North Campus/Nassau Center: (904) 766-6784
South Campus: (904) 646-2191
For additional information and resources, email accommodateme@fscj.edu or visit the Student Support Services webpage.
Student Assistance Program
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a Student Assistance Program to provide students with the resources they need to cope with college-related, personal, legal, or financial issues that may be affecting their studies and their ability to perform at their best. Services are free and confidential and are available in-person, online or by phone (855) 384-1800 (toll-free). For additional information, visit the Student Assistance Program webpage.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is a designated neutral or impartial conflict resolution practitioner who provides confidential and informal assistance to students on a variety of issues and concerns.
The Office of the Ombudsman offers students a safe and private environment to discuss escalated complaints, concerns or problems related to College policies, processes and appeals. The Ombudsman assists students in navigating College policies and procedures and understanding students’ rights and responsibilities. When appropriate, the Ombudsman may initiate an informal intervention. The Office of the Ombudsman functions independently; interactions with the Ombudsman can supplement, but do not replace, formal College processes relating to students with Florida State College at Jacksonville. The Office of the Ombudsman strives for fairness of process and healthy campus conflict resolution.
Students can express a complaint or concern electronically, verbally or in writing. All proceedings in individual complaints will be held confidential by the Ombudsman unless authorized by the complainant or otherwise required by applicable law, including without limitation, (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).
The office of the Ombudsman can be reached by email at ombuds@fscj.edu.