If your child has a disability, and you do not know where to find help, check out this list of essential resources available in your state. These essential contacts offer the most commonly needed services and can provide you with referrals to other appropriate services as well. If you have difficulty contacting any of these resources, please feel free to email me at: learningdisabilities.guide@about.com.
1. Department of Education - Special Education - Ages 3 - 21
States' departments of education oversee disability education services to children. It monitors school districts for compliance with IDEA and state special education regulations. The Department of Education handles formal complaints, due process hearings, and mediation on special education issues.
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 614
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Telephone: (850)245-0475
Toll Free: (850)245-0475 Website: Special Education Programs
2. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Services to children with disabilities include instruction, speech, physical, and occupational therapies.
Birth - 2:
Children's Services, Depart. of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1707
Telephone: (850)245-4218
Toll Free: (800)654-4440 Website: Early Intervention Programs
Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
2807 Remington Green Circle
Tallahasse FL 32308
(800) 654-4440
(850) 487-6301
Website: www.centraldirectory.org
Ages Three to Five:
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 601
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Telephone: (850) 245-0478
Website: http://www.fldoe.org/disability/
3. State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Vocational rehabilitation services help people with disabilities live more independent lives by providing education, support, and services to assist them with becoming employed. The department works with middle schools, high schools, and higher education to help students with disabilities access appropriate supports for employment and independence such as job coaching, teaching skills, support in job placement, assistive and adaptive supports, and more.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Education
2002 Old St. Augustine Road, Building A
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
Telephone: (850)488-6210
Toll Free: (800)451-4327
Website: Vocational Rehabilitation
4. Mental Health Services Agency
State mental health agencies provide services to individuals and families dealing with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse. Services include advocacy, nursing home screening, psychiatric services, intervention, coordination of treatment, case management, and more.
Mental Health Programs Office
Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 6, Room 275
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Telephone: (850)488-8304
Website: www.state.fl.us/cf_web/
5. Disability Advocacy Services
Protection and advocacy offices offer information and referrals relating to disability issues, a resource database for self-advocacy, education and training in disability rights, and individual case advocacy.
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities
2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 801
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Telephone: (850)488-9071, (800)346-4127 (TTY)
Toll Free: (800)342-0823 Creole and Spanish Language Telephone: (800)350-4566 Website: Legal Aid Society
