Pediatrics

Advocacy Center
2671 Executive Center Circle, W.
Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301-5092

(800) 342-0823
(850) 488-9071
Fax: (850) 488-8640
Email: info@advocacycenter.org

http://www.advocacycenter.org
The Center seeks to ensure the human and legal rights of people with disabilities are protected through the provision of information and advocacy.

Services include information and referral, complaint investigation, legal consultation, mediation, negotiation and representation.

ARC
ARC of Alachua County, Inc.
3303 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, Florida 32606

Phone: (352) 334-4060
Fax: (352) 334-4059

http://www.arcalachua.org
ARC advocates for persons with developmental disabilities. They provide direct service including adult day programs, community based employment, and early intervention. They also manage group homes and offer supported living services.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD at UF)
CARD/Gainesville
PO Box 100234
Gainesville, FL 32610-0234

(800) 754-5891
(352) 846-2761
Fax: (352) 846-0941
Email: card@mbi.ufl.edu

http://www.card.ufl.edu
CARD is a state-funded organization that provides support to family members and professionals working with individuals of all ages with autism, pervasive developmental disorders, autistic-like disabilities, dual sensory impairments, or sensory impairments with other disabling conditions. CARD gives training workshops, maintains a resource library, and conducts school, agency and home consultations. CARD services are free of charge.

Center for Independent Living
North Central Florida Center for Independent Living
720 NW 23rd Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32609

(800) 265-5724
(352) 378-7474
Fax: (352) 378-5582
Email: william@cilncf.org

http://www.floridainclusionnetwork.com
Independent Living Centers provide a board range of assistance to individuals with disabilities in order to help them achieve greater independence in either their family or community situations. They primarily serve adolescents and adults. They offer training in independent living skills, transition services, and legal advocacy.

Children's Medical Services (CMS)
1701 SW 16th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 334-1400
Fax: (352) 334-1476

http://www.cms-kids.com
The CMS network is a health plan for children under the age of 19 with special health care needs, such as medical services, therapies, supplies, or equipment. Children with a diagnosis of developmental delay are eligible for services, but those with a diagnosis of autism are not. CMS considers autism a behavioral disorder, not a medical one.
In order to be eligible, a child with autism must have an associated medical problem (like seizure disorder). In addition to medical care, CMS offers nurse case managers who coordinate care and help with related family issues. Cost is determined by the family's income.

Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP)
Jim Smith
1000 NE 16th Ave
PO Box 390, I/O18
Gainesville, FL 32602-0390

(352) 955-5793

http://apd.myflorida.com/about
Formerly known as Developmental Services, DDP is a program funded by state and federal money that provides support to people with development disabilities from ages three through adulthood. In order to be eligible for DDP, one must have one of the following five diagnosis before the age of 18: mental retardation, autism, Prader-Willie syndrome, cerebral pasly, or spina bidfida. Services include case management, respite, therapies, and providing adaptive equipment, among others. DDP administers the Medicaid waiver. Services to eligible clients are free.

Developmental Evaluation and Intervention Program (DEI)
1701 SW 16 Avenue,
Building A
Gainesville, FL 32608

(800) 334-1447
(352) 334-1480
Fax: (352) 334-1359

DEI is an early intervention program serving infants and toddlers (birth to three) who have developmental delay. DEI uses a family-centered approach to plan for the needs of the child. They will help with diagnosis and evaluation as well as coordinate services and therapies. All services are free of charge.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
620 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601

(352) 955-7671
Fax: (352) 955-7129

Children with disabilities between ages three and 21 are entitled to receive educational services beginning with prekindergarten classes. Transition services are available for students 16 and older to help prepare them to move from school to adult life. The school is legally bound to include parents in all decisions about a child's education. Parents are urged to participated in writing the child's individualized education plan (IEP).

Family Network on Disabilities (FND)
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc.
2735 Whitney Road
Clearwater, Florida 33760

State Office
(800) 825-5736
(727) 523-1130
Fax: (727) 523-8687
Regional Office: (352) 241-4152

http://www.fndfl.org
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc. is a statewide network of families and individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens. Their mission is to ensure through collaboration that Floridians have full access to family-driven support, education, information, resources, and advocacy.

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources Systems (FDLRS or Fiddlers)
FDLRS/Springs Associate Center
3881 NW 155th Street
Reddick, FL 32686

(800) 533-0326
(352) 591-4300
Fax: (352) 591-4304
Email: pamela.connolly@marion.k12.fl.us

http://www.fdlrssprings.org
FDLRS is a program of the Florida Department of Education. They provide services to school districts, agencies, communities, and families, and other persons working with students with disabilities. They are responsible for funding, tracking, evaluating, and connecting services for children from birth to 21 years of age. They do intake and screening to qualify children for special education services, including assistive technology. They also conduct parent and teacher training workshops. All of their services are free.

Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)
FIN/UNF
University of North Florida
Building 9, Room 1130
4567 Street Johns Bluff Road, South
Jacksonville, Florida 32224-2676

(866) 801-4211
(904) 620-1910
Fax: (904) 620-1615

http://www.floridainclusionnetwork.com
The mission of FIN is to provide technical assistance and support to schools and districts who include students with disabilities in regular classrooms. Services are free of charge and include onsite technical assistance, training, information dissemination, linkages with demonstration sites, and financial support. For more info please email:
Libby at LKW@aol.com
Kimberlee at oakes_k@yahoo.com
OR Luisa at lbaltier@unf.edu

Florida Outreach Project (FOP)
Florida Outreach Project for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind
P.O. Box 100234
Gainesville, FL 32610-0234

(800) 667-4052
(352) 846-2757
Fax: (352) 846-0941
Email: morrison@ufbi.ufl.edu

http://www.deafblind.ufl.edu
FOP provides free services to individuals with deaf-blindness, their families, schools, service providers, and communities. Any individual age birth to 22 who is both deaf and visually impaired is eligible for FOP services. Services include training workshops, a resource library, and school, agency and home consultations.

Isaiah Foundation
Isaiah Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 430
Yankeetown, FL 32698

(352) 447-1775
Email: contact@isaiahfoundation.org

http://www.isaiahfoundation.org
The Isaiah Foundation provides respite to families who have members with disabilities. Respite care providers are trained lay persons, nurses, and teachers that come into the home in order to give parents a break from the physical and emotional drain of caring for their child with special needs.

Social Security
Social Security Office
1610 NW 23rd Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32605

(800) 772-1213
(352) 375-6198

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/index.htm
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are benefits paid to disabled children under the age of 18 who come from homes with limited income resources. At 18, the parents' income will no longer be used to determine the child's eligibility. Call or visit your local office to apply.

UF Child Psychology Clinic
Department of Clinical & Health Psychology
Child Psychology Clinic
College of Public Health and Health Professions
University of Florida
P.O. Box 100165
Gainesville, FL 32610-0165

Phone: (352-265-0294
Fax: (352) 273-6156

http://chp.phhp.ufl.edu/clinic/child-clinic/
The UF Child Psychology Clinic provides assistance for children with the following: behavior problems, parent-adolescent conflict, coping with chronic illness, depression/anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Cost depends on type of service rendered and insurance coverage.

United Way of North Central Florida
6031 NW 1st Place
Gainesville, Florida 32607

(352) 331-2800
Fax: (352) 331-2111

http://unitedwayncfl.org
The United Way connects people in need to community resources. They offer up to date information on agencies and programs designed to address specific problems. When calling be prepared to describe your situation and see what your community has to offer.