Resources

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is the state government agency specifically tasked with serving the needs of Floridians with developmental disabilities. The agency is governed by Chapter 20, Chapter 393, and Chapter 916 of the Florida Statutes. The APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.

Website: apd.myflorida.com
Telephone: 1-866-273-2273 (Toll-free)
1-800-955-8771 (TTY)
1-877-955-8773 (Spanish)
1-877-955-8707 (French Cr)
Email: [email protected]

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) was statutorily created by Chapter 20, Florida Statutes as the chief health policy and planning entity for the state. They are primarily responsible for the state's estimated $22.9 billion Medicaid program that served a approximately 3.48 million Floridians in 2013-14 fiscal year, the licensure of the state's 45,000 health care facilities and the sharing of health care data through the Florida Center for Health Information and Policy Analysis.

Website: ahca.myflorida.com
Telephone: 1-888-419-3456 (Toll-free)

The Florida Department of Children Families (DCF) is committed to its mission of protecting the vulnerable, promoting strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advancing personal and family recovery and resiliency. DCF achieves its mission through an organized structure of program offices that focuses on services and programs that best meet the needs of their customers. These offices include:

Adult Protective Services
Child Care Regulation and Background Screening
Child Welfare
Domestic Violence
Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS)
Homelessness
Public Benefits Integrity
Refugee Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Website: myflfamilies.com
DCF Customer Call Center
1-866-762-2237
Florida Relay 711
TTY 1-800-955-8771

The Florida Abuse Hotline
1-800-962-2873
Florida Relay 711
TTY: 1-800-453-5145
Report Abuse online at: reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) under the Department of Education is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers. Examples of VR Services include:

Medical and Psychological Assessment
Vocational Evaluation and Planning
Career Counseling and Guidance
Training and Education After High School
Job-Site Assessment and Accommodations
Job Placement
Job Coaching
On-the-Job Training
Supported Employment
Assistive Technology and Devices

Website: rehabworks.org
1-800-451-4327 (Toll-free)
TTY users dial 711

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council was established in 1971 to help plan individual and family-centered supports for persons with disabilities in Florida. The Council also guides the development and administration of services for people with developmental disabilities by planning and funding research, innovations, and programs designed to improve the quality of their lives.

Website: FDDC.org
Telephone: 1-800-580-7801 (Toll-free)
1-888-488-8633 (TDD toll-free)

Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Disability Rights Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that has authority and responsibility under eight federal grants. Services are free and confidential.

Website: disabilityrightsflorida.org
Telephone: 1-800-342-0823 (Toll-free)
1-800-346-4127 (TDD)
1850-488-8640 Fax

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is an executive branch agency, established in section 20.43, F.S. The Department is led by a State Surgeon General, who serves as the State Health Officer and is directly appointed by Florida’s Governor, and confirmed by Florida’s Senate. The Department has three deputy secretaries that oversee all of its business and programmatic operations.

The Disability and Health Program (DHP) is funded by a three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goals of the program are to include Floridians of all ages with disabilities in all of the Department of Health’s programs and activities for health promotion, disease prevention, wellness, and disaster preparedness. The DHP also works with individuals with disabilities, their families, their health care providers, other state agencies, and interested stakeholders to meet its goals.

Website: floridahealth.gov
850-245-4444
Email: [email protected]

The Florida Department of Education serves as the single repository of education data from school districts, state and community colleges, universities, and independent post-secondary institutions - allowing us to track student performance over time and across varying education sectors.

Website: fldoe.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 850-245-0505
Línea Telefónica Para Padres (Español): 800-206-8956
Blind Services – 1-800-342-1828 (Toll-free)

The Department of Financial Services created the My Money Program to provide educational lessons for individuals with developmental disabilities and important resources for family members and caregivers. The My Money Program allows individuals to learn and practice financial skills at their own pace, using interactive games, activities and educational videos. Lessons focus on money basics, banks and credit unions, accounts, budgeting, government benefit programs and ways to find and keep employment. Parents, guardians and support providers of individuals with developmental disabilities can also access important information on teaching financial skills, government programs and information on the different ways to save and invest money.

Website: www.myfloridacfo.com/mymoney