SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY HOUR, INC.
TEMPLE TERR., FLORIDA

Julie Clark Ames graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1987 with a B.S. in Industrial Systems Engineering, minor in Spanish, and a minor in Technical Business Communications. While attending college, Julie worked in the family structural steel and erection business learning about accounting, detailing, estimating, programming machinery, and fabrication. Some of the most notable projects were the EPCOT ball, Big Thunder Railroad, and the PNC building in downtown Tampa. Jeff and Julie were married while at Tech then moved to Alexandria, Virginia. Jeff was assigned to the Army Staff in the Pentagon after receiving his Masters. Julie’s first career job was as an Industrial Sales Representative for a paper recycling company. Her territory included Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Julie subsequently was hired as an Industrial Engineer with Naval Sea (NAVSEA) Systems Command in Arlington, VA. She is a graduate of the NAVSEA two year Cost Intern Program. Julie first served as an Analyst for Submarine Combat Systems, then as the Lead Cost Analyst for the Aircraft Carrier Program (USS Ronald Reagan), and finally as Business Analyst for the USS Missouri Battleship Museum. and provides resources to other special needs parents through venues such as Toastmasters, Rotary Clubs, and PTA events. She has also been a guest speaker for the College of Education at the University of South Florida. Julie’s presentations are designed to help both general education and special education teachers-in-training understand the challenges of raising special needs children from a parent’s perspective. Julie is currently writing a book. It is a story that provides guidance, hope, and education to parents and professionals who have or work with special needs children. Because of Julie’s involvement with the schools, extensive experience (both good and bad) with the medical community and an unfortunate encounter with social services, Julie can give the readers the guidance they need to navigate their way through the murky educational, medical, and legal waters that special needs families find themselves drowning in. Conversely, by presenting the parents’ perspective, professionals working in these fields will gain a greater understanding to provide services in a way that is truly helpful. "“The Special Needs Family Hour is a wonderful opportunity for families to hear from the voice of a mom that lives in this very special world every day. Julie, speaks from experience and with the love she has for her family hoping to give other families resources throughout the community..." “Thank you Julie for hosting the Special Needs Family Hour and for sharing your family’s story. As a parent of a child who is deaf, I have found this show and your website to provide so many useful resources for our journey. As a community provider, it is wonderful to know that I can refer a family to your show..." "The Special Needs Family Hour is a great show that provides a variety of needed information to families in our community who are touched by someone with a disability. She features different programs in hopes of sharing all the great resources that families can participate in or benefit from..." "“The Special Needs Family Hour is a wonderful opportunity for families to hear from the voice of a mom that lives in this very special world every day. Julie, speaks from experience and with the love she has for her family hoping to give other families resources throughout the community..." “Thank you Julie for hosting the Special Needs Family Hour and for sharing your family’s story. As a parent of a child who is deaf, I have found this show and your website to provide so many useful resources for our journey. As a community provider, it is wonderful to know that I can refer a family to your show..." "The Special Needs Family Hour is a great show that provides a variety of needed information to families in our community who are touched by someone with a disability. She features different programs in hopes of sharing all the great resources that families can participate in or benefit from..." "Give Special Needs Family Hour a listen. It features Berkeley Preparatory School Alumni Association member from Class of 1980, Julie Clark Ames! Just like many of the members of Berkeley Prep's Class of 1980, she's making the world a better place by sharing her knowledge and resources..." "Give Special Needs Family Hour a listen. It features Berkeley Preparatory School Alumni Association member from Class of 1980, Julie Clark Ames! Just like many of the members of Berkeley Prep's Class of 1980, she's making the world a better place by sharing her knowledge and resources..." "“The Special Needs Family Hour is a wonderful opportunity for families to hear from the voice of a mom that lives in this very special world every day. Julie, speaks from experience and with the love she has for her family hoping to give other families resources throughout the community..." “Thank you Julie for hosting the Special Needs Family Hour and for sharing your family’s story. As a parent of a child who is deaf, I have found this show and your website to provide so many useful resources for our journey. As a community provider, it is wonderful to know that I can refer a family to your show..." "The Special Needs Family Hour is a great show that provides a variety of needed information to families in our community who are touched by someone with a disability. She features different programs in hopes of sharing all the great resources that families can participate in or benefit from..."