Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Phillips.
Hi Nicole, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a former certified special education teacher of 18 years for Broward County Public Schools. I was blessed with amazing principals (i.e., Ian Murray) from my former schools that allowed me to create and lead innovative programs in the special education department. After almost 20 years of teaching experience, I had the confidence to create my life skills center in 2020 (the beginning of the pandemic). Fundamental Life Skills Center was funded 100% from my former 9-5 job as a special education teacher. Many of the older students with special needs in my community that are close to aging out of high school are unable to attend programs where they can learn vocational skills as well as socialize with peers. Currently, there is a lack of programs. At FLSC we offer programs such as: Social Skills Training, Functional Life Skills Training, Art Therapy, Vocational Skills Training, Yoga, Fitness, karoke, etc. Fundamental Life Skills Center (FLSC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established to develop and operate a center to serve individuals with and without special needs. At FLSC, I created an environment where young adults with special needs enjoy their lives without regard to individual limitations. The center offers knowledgeable resources to address the unique challenges faced by special needs individuals and their families, provide a safe environment for socializing, and help prepare them for a productive adult life. I also obtained certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst during the pandemic and I created a curriculum (ABA Study Jams) to help students pursue their credentials to help improve the behaviors of individuals. I also wrote 2 books (Title-ABA Study Jams Workbook) that are currently being sold on Amazon. My goal is to help as many students as possible as there is a critical shortage of staff in the field of ABA Applied Behavior Analysis.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I spent 18 years working for Broward County Public Schools so the biggest struggle that I faced was walking away from the only company on my resume. I developed amazing relationships throughout my years working as a special education teacher. However, I decided to transition out of my government job when I started to feel stifled. As an entrepreneur, I have the ability to express my creativity on a larger scale.
We’ve been impressed with Fundamental Life Skills Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Fundamental Life Skills Center (FLSC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established to develop and operate a center to serve individuals with and without special needs. At FLSC, I created an environment where young adults with special needs enjoy their lives without regard to individual limitations. The center offers knowledgeable resources to address the unique challenges faced by special needs individuals and their families, provide a safe environment for socializing, and help prepare them for a productive adult life. FLSC was founded in 2020 by Nicole Phillips, A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a former special education teacher. I created a bare-bones micro-school with funds from my 9-5 job as a teacher during the pandemic. Shortly after that, I was fortunate enough to receive a $10,000 Meet the Moment Microgrant from Vela that was used to drastically enhance the center. The renovations attract many prominent individuals as we continue to serve the community.
From my perspective, a successful program is one that is created in partnership with students, their families, and key stakeholders in the community. Therefore, a successful program is developed with the community’s needs in mind. Fundamental Life Skills Center is facilitating positive change in our student’s lives by addressing the student’s academic needs. In addition, we are teaching appropriate behaviors by helping students regulate their emotions. Lastly, at FLSC, we are addressing the lack of social skills and vocational skills which is a critical issue when it comes to adults with special needs obtaining and maintaining employment.
What do you think about luck?
After sitting at home for weeks during the pandemic, I started to entertain the thought of starting a business. I decided to drive around my community to locate vacant office space. I met a realtor that manages a plaza near my home and when I explained my vision to him, he had tears in his eyes. He explained that a child in his family has autism and he would love to have an amazing learning center in the community. He went above and beyond to help me with everything that was required to start my business. Shortly after that, I bumped into Jacqueline Guzman, the Deputy Mayor for the City of Sunrise. (FYI- She was interviewed by VoyageMIA back in April 2020. We exchanged phone numbers and she has helped me tremendously with my business. I guess my luck was being in the right place.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fundamentalcenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FundamentalCenter
