1. Set up a phone appointment
2. Set up a meeting and tour at PRISM
3. Assessment process
4. Application process
5. Enrollment is confirmed and a schedule is determined
We accept payment in a variety of ways. Your specific situation will be addressed during the introductory meeting at PRISM.
Ready to start the process?
Request a phone appointmentWhat types of programs does PRISM offer?
PRISM of Georgia provides job site training, life skills training, and lifelong learning opportunities. Participants engage in a variety of skill-building and learning activities, including academic exercises, community outings and job-related situations.
Does PRISM help people get jobs?
Yes. PRISM is an approved Provider with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA). We will help referred and authorized clients of GVRA find employment.
What are the hours for the PRISM Adult Services Program?
General activities take place between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Monday - Friday. Participants may arrive as early as 8:30 AM and stay as late as 3:30 PM; after 3:30 PM or before 8:30 AM, there is a $10 additional fee for the day. Participants may attend as few as 2 days or as many as 5 days a week. We close the week of the fourth of July, the week of Christmas and many Federal holidays.
What is the staff to participant ratio?
Staff to participant ratios are 1 staff member to up to 6 participants during most times of the day. Some job sites require a smaller ratio, and are accommodated as needed. Participants are expected to be able to navigate the PRISM environment independently without the need for constant supervision. One to one support is not available.
Is lunch included as part of the program?
Lunch is not provided and not included in program fees. Participants should bring their own lunch and may use PRISM’s refrigerators, microwaves and toaster oven.
What happens in the case of illness?
If anyone is sick they may not attend. If an individual arrives and is ill, they will be sent home immediately.
How are PRISM’s participants referred and what area are they from?
Individuals are referred to PRISM of Georgia through current PRISM participants, the Georgia public school system, “word-of-mouth”, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), website searches, etc.
We serve participants throughout the surrounding areas of Atlanta, but most generally reside in the North Fulton County of Georgia.
How do participants pay for the PRISM Program?
How do I apply for a Medicaid Waiver?
Contact the Region 3 Office of Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (“DBHDD”) at # (770) 414-3052; http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/region-3 or www.dfmc-georgia.org.
How do I apply for Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services?
By contacting your local GVRA office. Click here to find a location: https://gvs.georgia.gov/find-location
Does PRISM provide transportation to and from PRISM?
No. Participants must facilitate own transportation. Car-pooling opportunities with other families may be available. Access and utilization of transportation options in the community is included in training, if desired. PRISM job coaches will facilitate transportation to and from community activities and job sites
What does PRISM stand for?
PRISM stands for Purpose, Relationships, Independence, Service and Mentorship.
Where does PRISM serve?
PRISM of Georgia serves anyone able to travel to our location.
Who does PRISM serve?
PRISM services adults 18 years or older with mild to moderate range of intellectual disabilities and NO longer attending high school. PRISM’s summer program serves ages 16+.
Is there a maximum age range?
No, although most of our individuals are in their 20’s and 30’s.
How is PRISM funded?
Primarily through participant fees, government agencies as well as private funding from individuals, corporations and foundations.
What if I have a question that is not addressed here?
Send us an email at prismga@gmail.com and we will be happy to provide additional information you may require.
William Albino
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
William Albino, Lead Vocational Services Instructor and Job Coach of PRISM, is a recent Georgia transplant having moved from Pembroke Pines Florida in 2017. William knew that he wanted to focus on working with adults transitioning from high school and we were thrilled to provide him the opportunity even if it meant moving to a new state! In 2014, William transferred from Florida International University to Florida State University to further expand his academics. Upon his time at FSU, he chose to specialize in transition services for students with disabilities. He spent a year and a half interning at a local transition program for individuals with disabilities in Tallahassee, FL. It was through this internship that he gained knowledge in providing vocational and life skills intervention techniques for students who have just transitioned out of high school. At this internship, he also provided students with community-based work experience, trainings and supports through a variety of job sites.
William has a combined Bachelors and Masters of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education and Curriculum and Instruction. He continues to bring his knowledge and passion to the team and has been successful in supporting individuals with disabilities who seek to find and maintain employment.
William Albino
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
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Emily Auer
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
Emily White, originally from Maine moved to Georgia in May of 2016. After attending the University of Baltimore and graduating in 2013, she earned her Master of Science Degree in Human Service Administration. Emily decided very early in her career that she wanted to work within the human service field because she has an older brother who has a developmental disability and feels it’s important that everyone has the chance to be a valuable part of their community.
Emily began her career in Baltimore, MD and worked as a Service Coordinator for Transitioning Youth leaving high school who were preparing to enter into adult services. She worked closely providing administrative support to families making sure they were supplied and informed with information pertinent to their loved one. She also worked closely with the individuals in making sure all their goals were being met and participated in each person’s yearly IP meeting.
Emily joined PRISM in July of 2016 as a Vocational and Life Skills Trainer and Coach. She is adept at creating and implementing work evaluations and customized vocational training curriculum. She works primarily with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation participants preparing them for employment and aids them as a Job Coach once they are employed.
Emily took a brief amount of time off to give birth to triplets and demonstrates an amazing ability to balance work and family responsibilities.
Emily Auer
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
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Bobby Newman
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
Bobby Newman is originally from Johns Creek, GA and after graduating from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in child and adolescent mental health studies, he was excited to move back home and obtain employment with PRISM. At NYU, Bobby focused his studies on working with people with developmental disabilities. During college, Bobby was the director of a program for campers with developmental disabilities at an overnight summer camp. It was during this time when he garnered techniques and experience in teaching and providing reinforcement in adaptive and vocational skills. He has a passion for teaching adults’ functional skills to help them live more independent lives.
Bobby joined PRISM in July of 2017 as a Vocational and Life Skills Trainer and Coach. His calm and approachable demeanor makes him a perfect person to help our individuals thrive. He specializes in both one on one and group vocational training curriculum creation and execution. He works primarily with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation participants preparing them for employment and aids them as a Job Coach once they are employed.
Bobby Newman
VR Instructor, Vocation and Life Skills & Job Coach
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Debbie Shelton
Vocation and Life Skills Trainer/Coach
Debbie Shelton has been a PRISM Team member since program inception; first as a volunteer during the initial summer program, and then as a full-time employee.
Debbie Shelton is a mother of four children, ages 15-25. She has two sons both of whom have a degree of special needs. Debbie’s background is filled with experience of working with and helping others, especially people with special needs. Debbie’s experience ranges from positions in early childhood education, leading an after-school program for middle and high school special students, and working as a paraprofessional with a kindergarten classroom.
When the opportunity arose and a position opened, Debbie started her new career as a lead PRISM Vocation and Life Skills Instructor and Job Coach. Debbie’s incredible energy and natural ability to connect with anyone who crosses her path make her an invaluable member of both the PRISM team and the special needs community as a whole. She has a passion for health and wellness and ensures that PRISM incorporates exercise and proper nutrition into the life skill curriculum. Debbie has also spent 14+ years leading and volunteering Special Olympics athletes with the Special K’s team. She has also perfected her life skills coaching and provides community living support, community access support and respite care for many individuals in the community.
Debbie Shelton
Vocation and Life Skills Trainer/Coach
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Christine Waugh
Job Coach
Coming Soon!
Christine Waugh
Job Coach
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Patty Bryant
Job Coach
Patty Bryant joined PRISM as a part-time Job Coach in 2016. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University in Virginia, then went on to live in Nashville, TN before moving to Atlanta where she has lived for the past 20 years. Patty has worked in the information technology field for many years in addition to her work with PRISM. She also has four adult children including a son with special needs, so she is very aware of the importance of developing job skills, social skills, life skills and self-confidence in young adults so they can lead proud, fulfilling and happy lives. Patty has also been involved in Special Olympics, FOCUS Respite care and Hands On Atlanta.
What Patty enjoys most about working at PRISM is getting to know each individual on a personal level and seeing them grow in their skills and self-confidence. There is nothing than Patty cannot handle with ease and a positive attitude!
Patty Bryant
Job Coach
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Taylor Shelton
Skills Instructor and Coach
Taylor Shelton is a graduate from the University of West Georgia. After graduating in 2017 with a Bachelors in Sociology and minor in Psychology, she moved back to Roswell, Georgia. Taylor began working for PRISM in June of 2018. During high school, Taylor was a peer facilitator with the special education department at Centennial high school. She also worked at an after-school program and summer camps with a local day program. She has spent the last ten years being involved with Special Olympics as a unified partner and coach. Taylor has experience coaching Special Olympics athletes in track, long distance walking, basketball, and bocce ball.
After graduation from college, Taylor was excited to be offered a position at PRISM of Georgia. Working within the special needs community has always been the biggest part of Taylor's life. Both of her brothers have received services from PRISM. Taylor's mother, Debbie Shelton, also works at PRISM and Taylor is very happy that she can pursue her passion while staying close to her family as well as her newly extended PRISM family.
Taylor Shelton
Skills Instructor and Coach
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Marguerite Jordaan
Skills Instructor and Coach
Coming Soon!
Marguerite Jordaan
Skills Instructor and Coach
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Nikayla Turner
Skills Instructor and Coach
Nikayla Turner is a native of Darwin Australia but has spent the majority of her life growing up in Georgia. She found her passion for special needs education as an elective in high school where she served as a teacher’s assistant for special needs students. After school, she began her career path following another one her passions in the cosmetology field. This led her back to her native Australia where she held an apprenticeship in her family’s former salon. After roughing it in the Outback she grew homesick for the States and decided to move back to Georgia and rekindle her love for children and education. Nikayla began working for a family in Atlanta who had a young child with autism, and when a career transfer resulted in an abrupt move for this family, she found the good fortune to come across an open position working with the PRISM Director's son. It was evident from the start that Nikayla has the natural attributes and abilities to work, instruct and mentor adults with disabilities. With that, Nikayla joined the PRISM staff and now provides support to the team while specifically assisting with coaching, events, and marketing. We all appreciate Nikayla’s enthusiasm and passion for helping individuals learn life skills in the home and work environments.
Nikayla Turner
Skills Instructor and Coach
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Marilynn Martinez
Executive Director
Marilynn Martinez is the program Founder and Executive Director of PRISM. With 8+ years of creating and implementing services and programming for adults with disabilities, she is also a proud parent of two children, one with special needs.
Her child with special needs is currently in his early twenties and on the Autism Spectrum. Once her child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Marilynn assumed the role of advocate for him in the public school system, private community programs and within the healthcare system. In order to take advantage of early intervention and ensure her son was adequately included in school and various social settings she spent many hours learning and working with school staff and therapists on implementing techniques such as applied behavior analysis, incidental teaching strategies, visual supports, sensory integration et cetera. In 2000 she put her aspiring corporate career aside to fully focus on her son and his complex needs. Initially, she continued to work on a part-time basis and then in 2005 she left corporate life completely.
With over 20 year’s corporate experience, Marilynn had worked at several large companies that included RJ Reynolds Nabisco, Norrell Corporation, and SunTrust Bank. Her corporate roles ranged from various management roles of increasing responsibility to Assistant Vice President. Marilynn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, with concentrations in Marketing and Computer Science from Keene State College of The University of New Hampshire. She has also received certification to implement Customized Employment services. Marilynn also has enjoyed volunteering her time providing assistance with support groups, teacher/classroom support, and hospice care.
Marilynn Martinez
Executive Director
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Eja Lefferts
Project & Events Manager
Jennie Lefferts (Eja) is the Projects and Events Manager of PRISM. Eja has a background in various creative and artistic fields which include journalism, advertising, public relations and education. She is also a self-employed Stylist in Atlanta. Her innate creativity shines at PRISM where she has been able to single-handedly execute many events such as social nights, fundraisers and several other marketing projects which include promotional strategies for PRISM's current microenterprises - PRISMarket and PRISM Planet Patrol.
Having 30+ years of friendship with families of children with special needs, Eja has a love and a passion for working with this community. Over the years she has served organizations such as big brothers/big sisters, Kidsave international and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Including her roles within PRISM, Eja also provides ongoing respite care to several of our participants which include home care and life skill coaching. Eja has been with PRISM since day one and couldn't be more proud of the program and of the continued achievements of those we serve.
Eja Lefferts
Project & Events Manager
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Katie Novak
Program Manager
Kathryn (Katie) Novak is the PRISM Program Manager. With 6+ years of working with people with a variety of mild to moderate disabilities in individual and group settings. She knew she wanted to focus on the needs of adults and joined PRISM as a Skills Instructor and Job Coach. It wasn't long before Katie was promoted to Program Manager enabling her to fully utilize her background in teaching, building curriculum, and technical expertise. Katie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. Katie is most often the person on staff who our participants turn to when looking for advice or a calming chat. Katie also stays very busy outside of PRISM with her two young children.
Katie Novak
Program Manager
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Parker Miller
Marketing Manager
Parker is a marketing specialist and a soon-to-be college graduate from Kennesaw State University with a major in marketing. Parker has a strong passion for the world of inclusivity and special needs. He has volunteered in Autism Spectrum Disorder-unit classrooms in both middle and high schools, and both of his siblings are on the autism spectrum. Aside from his volunteerism, Parker has participated in a handful of projects and initiatives related to special education, student accessibility, and assistive technology.
Parker’s past marketing experience includes internships at a Fortune 500 company and a local marketing agency. He joined PRISM in September of 2018 in hopes of bringing a different skill set to the PRISM team and hit the ground running! Parker’s primary goals are to share PRISM’s exciting mission with the community and to ensure that PRISM continues to grow as an organization.
Parker Miller
Marketing Manager
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Changing the way the community sees people with developmental disabilities and recognizing that every life has a purpose.
To be North Fulton County’s foremost service provider for the adult special needs community through individualized programs, specialized support, and community inclusion.
A prism is not just a metaphor for the range of people and goals we serve. It also doubles as an acronym, detailing the guiding principles of our program.
Purpose
Start each day with purpose, self-fulfillment, and have a goal to work toward.
Relationships
Learn to initiate and maintain relationships necessary for work and recreation.
Independence
Work on independence skills both at home and on the job site in order to be able to self-advocate and ultimately become more self-sufficient.
Service
Become part of the community by working at job sites and/or participating in volunteer opportunities.
Mentorship
Learn to become a leader and help mentor others who may walk in your footsteps.
Check our Item Donation Wish List periodically to see if there's anything you can give us.
When you link your Kroger Plus card to PRISM, we earn money every time you shop! No donation required.
Step 1: Log in to Kroger Community Rewards using your current Kroger Plus Account.
Step 2: Type in our NPO Number: XG424 and click Search.
Step 3: Click Enroll and then you're done! Shop as you normally would.
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