Dr. Brennan Asplen’s time as Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools appears near its close. But concerns about noticing and a desire to negotiate a severance package means the end of his tenure did not happen on Tuesday night.

That was despite angry and extended comments from the superintendent a week after the School Board moved forward with termination talks the same day two newly elected members were sworn in.

"I have a feeling I'm going to get fired tonight because I can't hold this back,” Asplen said.

He criticized heavily members who accused the district of a lack of transparency and setbacks in scores during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, he criticized School Board member Karen Rose, a former administrator and principal in the schools, who he said has massively decreased communication since August elections guaranteed a new majority would join the board.

“I do feel an adversarial relationship,” Rose said.

The board ultimately voted to put off discussion of potentially firing Asplen without cause. Rather, the board authorized negotiation of a separation agreement with the district, and then holding a meeting at a later date to approve a deal, or if one cannot be reached to fire Asplen without cause.

School Board member Tom Edwards, the only member to vote against termination discussions, raised concerns whether negotiating a deal before the special meeting held Tuesday night violated the law as the board had not authorized a conduit for such talks. He also repeated concerns a firing was coordinated outside the Sunshine Law.

“Dr. Asplen deserved an opportunity to work on things,” Edwards said.

But other members said there were communications problems that could not be overcome. School Board member Tim Enos, who was elected in August, said he heard repeated concerns on the campaign trail. “We needed a change,” he said.  

Screenshot courtesy Sarasota County Schools: Dr. Brennan Asplen.

Incorporating horses into occupational, physical and speech-language therapies provides a powerful tool for individuals with disabilities. This Saturday, December 3rd, Easterseals will be hosting an open house at their 62-acre ranch in Nokomis, where participants can meet the staff, engage with therapy horses and tour the facilities.

"Magic happens when children and adults with disabilities are paired with a gentle horse for therapy work," says Jill Gass, Vice President of Philanthropy at Easterseals Southwest Florida. Currently, 75 clients benefit from therapeutic riding at Easterseals, InStride Ranch, which is the nonprofit group's site for providing equine therapeutic sessions to their clients including hippotherapy, the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, especially as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength.

Not only do clients benefit physically from the work done on the backs of calm and nurturing horses at InStride Therapy and Equestrian Center, but they also experience the benefits of being outside for therapy in a beautiful, natural setting. With so much of their physical therapy work occurring indoors under fluorescent lights, this is a welcome time to experience the mental health benefits of being in nature. Therapy clients ride saddleless so that they can feel the cadence and connection to the horse. Hippotherapy has the unique characteristic of soothing the mind while strengthening the body.

"For each session, our clients work with a certified therapeutic riding instructor, a licensed therapist who works with clients on physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and three volunteers who act as the horse lead and side walkers," shares Gass. "Sessions take place in our 22,000 square foot covered riding arena which protects our clients, therapists, and volunteers from the harsh Florida sun and allows for therapy sessions to happen rain or shine."

Refreshments will be served at this weekend's open house and space is limited. For more information, contact tmedina@easterseals-swfl.org or 941-355-7637 x406.

Easterseals at InStride Therapy Open House, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 1629 Ranch Road, Nokomis.

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JFCS of the Suncoast has been thrilled with the community’s generosity in donating gifts for families and seniors who are struggling. More than 330 children and 150 seniors signed up for holiday assistance through JFCS this year, and while hundreds have been adopted by donors, there are still more than 60 children and 25 seniors up for adoption. Since 2004, JFCS has organized its annual Adopt-a-Family campaign to help ease the burden on parents struggling to provide holiday meals and gifts to their families. Donors can also brighten the day of seniors in isolation through the Adopt-a-Senior program. More than 2,100 children from over 660 families have benefitted from the Adopt-a-Family program since its inception. Adopt-a-Family/Senior recipients are current JFCS clients who participate in a variety of mental health and human services programs. Many are still hoping to receive a dose of holiday cheer and assistance, especially after the devastation suffered in the community during and after Hurricane Ian. How it works: Those wishing to adopt a family should be willing to purchase a gift card from a major retailer to help the parent shop for a holiday meal. Donors will be provided with details about the families they have been paired up with so they can purchase one or more of the items on the children’s holiday wish lists, as well as clothing and shoes. People who prefer not to be matched with a specific family can choose to donate money toward the purchase of gifts, or they can donate unwrapped children’s toys and items. Those adopting a senior should fill gift bags with hard candy, stamps, notepads, pens, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, lip balm, tissues, socks, refrigerator magnets, and store gift cards. People can also donate funds toward senior gift bags.How to participate in Adopt-a-Family/Senior: If you would like to adopt a family or senior, please email Karen Pharo at kpharo@jfcs-cares.org. The deadline to make donations and drop off gifts is Dec. 9. Donations to the fundraiser can be made through Pay Pal by choosing Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-Senior in the drop-down menu. Click here to donate. 

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Resilient Retreat, a new Sarasota non-profit providing free and confidential support for survivors of trauma, first responders and helping professionals, proudly announces the winners of its local art competition sponsored by the Halo Arts Project. The open call to artists welcomed pieces focusing on resilience, hope and strength after adversity. "Art tells a story and can be a source of inspiration, validation and support for trauma survivors," said Resilient Retreat Board Chair and Founder Dr. Sidney Turner. “As such, we were very deliberate in selecting the artwork for our new center. We wanted to include local artists while also representing diverse backgrounds and experiences.” After much consideration, the art committee selected Amy Towery’s ‘Journey to Healing’ for First Place and Stacy Sternberg’s ‘Journey” for Second. Truly embodying the spirit of giving back and serving others, Towery shared that she will be dividing her $1,500 prize three ways with donations to Resilient Retreat, the Halo Art Project and Meals on Wheels of Manasota, for which she serves as Executive Director. All submissions, including the two winning pieces, are now on display in the all-new retreat center, which recently opened its doors on November 3. In addition to these local pieces, Resilient Retreat is honored to have received diverse works from Sarasota non-profit Embracing Our Differences, which are also on display throughout the center. For more details on the art competition submissions, please www.resilientretreat.org/art-competition-winners. For information on Halo Arts Project, please visit www.haloartsproject.com. For information on Embracing Our Differences, please visit www.embracingourdifferences.org. 

Pictured: Halo Art Project President Jackie Cutrone (left) and Resilient Retreat Executive Director Lisa Intagliata (right) present a $1,500 check to first place winner Amy Towery (center).

Sarasota Opera is grateful to have received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Aligning with their mission to find meaningful ways to invest in the arts, Gulf Coast Community Foundation allows grant award winners flexibility with their funding in order to pursue their own artistic missions. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation will continue its longstanding support of Sarasota Opera by underwriting the 2022-23 season and will be recognized as a production sponsor of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. They are also a series sponsor of the popular Moonlight & Melodies Dinner Series and are sponsoring the Curtain Raiser Dinner, and Sarasota Opera’s annual gala in April. “We are so appreciative of the loyal support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and their commitment to the arts in Sarasota. They are enthusiastic partners in our mission and through their unwavering support they are assisting in our efforts to build and maintain a culturally vibrant community,” said Richard Russell, the company’s General Director. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation is now accepting applicationsfor its 2023 Winter Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI). The online application and overview for the program are available at https://www.gulfcoastcf.org/gulf-coast-board-institute. This high-demand program is delivered through Gulf Coast’s Invest in Incredible consultants to active and prospective nonprofit board members in the Gulf Coast region. The deadline to apply for this governance training series is Sunday, December 11. The group will participate in training experiences on the following Fridays: February 17, February 24, and March 3, March 10, 2023 at Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s new Sarasota Philanthropy Center, 1549 State Street, Sarasota. Topics will include fundamentals of nonprofit board governance, financial and legal oversight responsibilities, and how to create a diverse, highly functioning, and engaged board. The training is led by certified consultants who are part of Gulf Coast’s Invest in Incredible nonprofit capacity-building initiative. Participants will be selected through a competitive process with the intent of creating a group of individuals with a variety of experiences. Gulf Coast provides all training and resources at no cost to participants in exchange for their commitment to serve as advocates for good board governance in current and future nonprofit board roles. Applicants are encouraged to be current, active board members at a nonprofit in the region, although prospective board members will also be considered. Because of strong demand for this high-quality training opportunity, applicants also must sign a commitment that they will attend all four days of training if selected. 

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Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently approved grants for Hurricane Ian relief, including support to provide legal services from two organizations for hurricane victims, repairs to one of the region’s premier organizations serving older residents and support for economic losses and staff issues for an early childhood organization.

Two Grants Helping Residents Dealing With Legal Issues Brought on by Hurricane Ian--Our investment: A $43,750 grant to Legal Aid of Manasota to provide legal services to residents impacted by Hurricane Ian. Context: Legal Aid plans to hire an outreach coordinator and pro-bono/Volunteer coordinator to bring more legal and education resources to residents. The organization provided 7-day-per-week legal services for a month to residents impacted by the hurricane and expects some of those legal issues to continue for years. Our Investment: A $94,746 grant to Gulfcoast Legal Services provide legal help to residents impacted by Hurricane Ian. Context: This money will allow Gulfcoast to add an additional attorney to its south county team, where damage from Hurricane Ian was the fiercest, and to increase its outreach, marketing and education efforts to ensure that the organization is reaching those in need.

Helping Repair Damaged Structures Aimed at Serving the Region’s Older Residents--Our Investment: A $60,000 grant to provide support for clean up and repairs to Senior Friendship buildings in Sarasota County. Context: Senior Friendship Centers saw more than $100,000 in damage to its buildings and campuses in Sarasota County. Though all insured, the deductible for the damage was $160,000, meaning the organization would have to cut other programs to meet the cost of repairs without the grant support.

Helping A Critical Early Childhood Service Provider Weather the Hurricane--Our Investment: A $215,362 grant to provide support The Florida Center for Early Childhood’s economic losses and staff impacts. Context: The Florida Center owns a building in North Port that serves as a clinical therapy office and preschool for children with developmental delays that was significantly damaged by the hurricane. There also was damage to the organization’s Sarasota campus. Many staff who lived in North Port also were unable to come to work because of personal losses and power outages. The Florida Center continued to pay its staff despite not collecting billing revenue or preschool tuition while closed. 

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Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has awarded a $57,994 grant from its Criminal Justice Reform Initiative to Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. (CASL) for the “Transition Inmates to Supported Housing Project.” The Transitions program provides formerly incarcerated individuals who have a mental health condition with safe, supportive housing while they continue to overcome barriers upon release from incarceration. Gulf Coast has awarded a total of $214,000 to the Transitions program since its inception and the results have exceeded the goals. The average recidivism rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is 65%. The recidivism rate of those within the Transitions program is greatly reduced to 20%. Referrals for the Transitions program are referred by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Re-entry Navigators. Individuals released from a correctional facility have numerous challenges to overcome with few resources, leading to a repetitive cycle of correctional facility stays as well as costly hospital admission and shelter stays. To increase possibilities for success, there is a community focus on addressing mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders, and the need for job training and literacy. Of the 19 enrolled participants in the Transitions program, 10 have moved into permanent housing. Twelve of the 19 participants experienced homelessness over their lifetime and all were unstably housed or homeless prior to their most recent incarceration. In all, the participants experienced a combined 36.75 years of homelessness.The total public health costs of the formerly incarcerated are reduced dramatically. The Transition’s participants had total lifetime health costs of $916,220. Since the time these participants entered the Transitions program, the costs incurred have been reduced to $15,920 dollars. The amount, including the use of grant funds over this project period, totaled $96,916.25. Providing supports including housing and case management, and basic needs like food and clothing, assists individuals who were recently incarcerated to gain employment and successfully contribute to our community. The alternative, crisis care and recidivism, is far more costly, to individuals and to our society. 

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At the request of the State of Florida, Hurricane Ian survivors who suffered physical damages that occurred from Sept. 23 through Nov. 4 to their property have additional time to apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. The Disaster Recovery Center for Manatee County is currently open: John Marble Park, 3675 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203, Sunday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. SBA Customer Service Representatives are available at the Business Recovery Centers to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications or applying for reconsideration. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask. Interest rates are as low as 3.04 for businesses, 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 2.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17644. To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Jan. 12, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.