What does the Epilepsy Foundation do?
We provide awareness and education to other agencies so they can be prepared in case someone has a seizure in their facilities, promote our presence within the county, provide assistance to individuals and families with epilepsy, provide information on resources within the community, help with access to affordable medications, answer questions to those newly diagnosed and refer them to neurologist and epileptologist.
How does your agency benefit the community?
EFOF was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3). EFOF is the principal agency for epilepsy programs and services sponsored by the State of Florida, servicing the estimated 400,000 Floridians who suffer from the condition. EFOF serves as the lead advocate for the rights and needs of people with epilepsy and seizures at the local, county and state level.
What is your agency’s focus for 2017?
To engage in more partnerships within the community, reach out to more schools and educate students and staff about epilepsy. Reach out to those with epilepsy within the county and offer assistance and let them know we are here for them and lastly, find more neurologist within the county that are willing to partner with the foundation.
How can the community help?
By requesting a presentation/ training on seizure first aid, by participating in our events such as our walk, by not discriminating against children and adults with epilepsy and by spreading awareness of epilepsy. Lastly, by hosting a DIY to help promote awareness of epilepsy within the county.
MISSION STATEMENT
Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) leads the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.
KEY PROGRAMS
Support groups: EFOF offers several support group meetings on a monthly basis for adults and youth living with epilepsy and parents of children living with epilepsy. We also offer online support group platforms through Facebook.
Information and Referrals: Each of the EFOF local offices houses a fully-staffed resource center offering a wide range of informational brochures, periodicals, videos and books on epilepsy and seizures in English, Spanish and Creole.
Prevention and Education: Provides comprehensive prevention and education services and presentations throughout Florida to schools (personnel and students); professionals, including physicians and attorneys; police, emergency medical services personnel, health care professionals, community-based organizations with special emphasis on health and social service agencies; and providers, such as day care centers.
Individualized Case Management: Provides individuals with seizures and their families with Individualized Plans of Care (IPOC) tailored for the specific needs of the client and family.
Medical Services: The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinics and network of independent neurologists across the state provide a consistent program of medical management for children and adults.
Psychological Services: Offers psychological services at the Miami-Dade County, Broward County and West Palm office locations.
Affordable Care Act Healthcare Navigation: The Healthcare Navigation Program at EFOF is a federally certified healthcare enrollment program that provides in-person education, counseling and enrollment assistance to Floridians wanting to shop and enroll for health coverage, or have questions concerning their health insurance.
Advocacy: EFOF serves as the lead advocate for the rights and needs of people with epilepsy and seizures at the local, county and state level.
Camp: Each year the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida sponsors children from across the state of Florida to participate in “Epilepsy Week” at Camp Boggy Creek. The camp allows children with epilepsy to spend time with others who are just like them and share their life experiences, as well as for parents to feel secure that their children are safe and in good hands.
Emphasis Awareness and Fundraising programs: The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida hosts several programs and signature events each year. One of the most popular events is “Let’s Talk About It” which commemorates November Epilepsy Awareness Month and encourages supporters to host events in their local communities to help spread awareness about epilepsy. The Foundation also hosts its signature Walk the Talk for Epilepsy events in cities across Florida every March and April with hundreds of participants attending each.
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA, 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. 561-478-6515; www.efof.org
To view more spotlights on nonprofits, visit www.palmbeachpost.com/nonprofits/
