Directories & Information Links

In this section you will find: 1) a directory or listing of various family support groups throughout the state (other directories may be added at a later date)

Directory of Family Support Groups in Florida

and

2) A listing of links to other Internet Web sites. These links are grouped according to the topic areas on this site and may also be accessed from each topic section. Several links are listed under more than one topic because they offer information relating to each. Many of these linked Web sites also contain their own links to further information.

Links to Other Resources

Topic Areas:
Health Care
Legal Issues
Financial Concerns
Residential Options
Work & Leisure
Services & Supports

1) A Directory of Family Support Groups in Florida:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

Hope Center
3661 So. Babcock Street
Melbourne

PO Box 124
Grant, 32949

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

The Mercedes Homes Boardroom

The Hope Center
3661 South Babcock St.
Melbourne, FL 32901

Name:

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

Charlotte Harbor School.
Hancock Avenue
Port Charlotte, 33949

PO Box 3569

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

Freida B. Smith Recreation Center
400 Santa Barbara Boulevard

PO Box 150027
Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Robbie Arnold, Director
Special Ministries Division
Phone: (305) 271-5374
(305) 595-6550 x.117
(305) 273-9922 - FAX
E-mail: Robbie@waysidebaptist.org

Name:

Main goal is to support clients of Arc Nassau County. Group is open to parents and other relatives. Many members are older. There is also education and information-sharing at meetings.

Suggested Directions: At Yulee's traffic stop, go north on Highway 417. Arc is 8/10 mile on the left. (Taylor's Nursery is across the street.) Turn left at the street at the ends of the woods; go straight until you get to the workshop. (Otherwise, once you see the building, you've gone by the street and will have to turn around.)

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

First Presbyterian Church
341 N. Orlando Avenue

PO Box 6194
Orlando, 32853

Name:

Name:

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

Announced in quarterly newsletter

AFIRE
PO Box 6635
Clearwater, FL 33758

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

meeting place announced in quarterly newsletter

AFIRE
PO Box 6635
Clearwater, FL 33758

Name:

Meeting Location:

Mail:  

UPARC- Long Center
1501 Belcher Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33765

1937 Feather Tree Circle
Clearwater, FL 33765

Shirley Lawyer
Phone: (727) 462-2274
E-mail: thelawyers@prodigy.net or

Vickie Milliron
Phone: (727) 462-2274
E-mail: vmilliron@aol.com

Name:

Name:

Name:

Contact:

Mail:

Contact 2:

Current President: Rita Spino
Phone: (941)993-4729
1808 Flametree Lane
Venice, FL 34293

Parent Liaison: Margot Foglietta
Phone: (941) 485-6696

Name:

This is a group for survivors and families, which has 30 chapters throughout Florida in such cities as: Gainesville, Panama City, Melbourne, Rockledge, Sunrise, Lecanto, Miami, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Springhill, Leesburg, Ft. Myers, Tallahassee, Ft. Wallon Beach, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, Winter Haven, Sarasota, Port St. Lucie, Daytona, Deland and more. Call the "800 #" to find the one nearest you.

These groups focus on adult family members who had "an injury to the brain caused by external force to the skull." The emphasis in each group may differ, but always includes information and education, as well as some social activities. The adult "survivors" of brain injury meet in one room at these meetings; family members (& professionals) meet in another Parents of adult children with mental retardation are welcome.

Name:

Meeting Location:  

Mail:

Arc Walton
1408A State Highway 83

PO Box 813
Defuniak Springs, 32433

Health Care

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council-This private, non-profit entity has a wealth of print and video resources available on a number of topics, including reports on various aspects of health care and managed health care.
Florida Dept. of Children and Families/Developmental Disabilities Program- The Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) assists Florida residents who have developmental disabilities and their families. It provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities and funds providers of supports and services. The DDP headquarters or main office is in Tallahassee; supports and services - including health-related supports - are provided via the 15 district offices throughout the state.
Arc of the US- This is the national association of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. It has fact sheets, videos and publications on various health topics.
Family Village- This site is an extensive information resource for individuals of all ages who have cognitive and other disabilities, as well as their families and service providers. The site is at the University of Wisconsin and funded primarily by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. It has information about disability diagnoses and health care issues.
University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration-This site has informational products that cover many facets of community inclusion for people with disabilities, including health and health care.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities- This state council has a number of excellent publications on topics related to community living, including health promotion and health care.
National Clearinghouse on Managed Care and Long Term Services and Supports for Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families- This is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) site for information on those two forms of health insurance, as well as on managed care.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)- This site is aimed at the general population, aged 50 and over. The information it provides on healthy life choices, specific health topics, preventive screenings and long term care options is also valid for many individuals with disabilities and their older family caregivers.
University of Miami School of Medicine's Developmental Disabilities Resources: for Parents, Families, and Consumers Website- The purpose of this site is to provide a public resource for parents, families, & consumers containing documents, website links, and videos developed by the Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami School of Medicine with support by the Florida Developmental Disability Council. The categories covered are: Assistive Technology, Early Care/Education/Child Care, Early Intervention, Education-School Age, Employment, Services & Supports, Health Care, and Adults with Disabilities.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council- This private, nonprofit entity has a wealth of print and video resources available on a number of topics, including legal issues.
Arc of the US- This site is for the national association of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. It has fact sheets and publications on legal topics.
American Bar Association (ABA), Commission on the Mentally and Physically Disabled- intended primarily for lawyers, this web site has many readable information products on wills, guardianship and disability lawyers, as well as various aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its rights.
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities- This is the Web site of the nonprofit organization that provides protection and advocacy services in the State of Florida. Its mission is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities. A quarterly newsletter and facts bulletins describe Florida rights issues and detail their available programs.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)- This site is aimed at the general population, aged 50 and over. The information it provides on living wills, power of attorney, probate law and planning for future decisions is especially helpful for older family caregivers.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY)- This national center provides information on disabilities and related issues to families, educators and other professionals. Though its special focus is children and youth, it has good publications for individuals of all ages. Includes a news digest featuring estate planning, has many links and materials in Spanish.
AAMR- This is the national organization that advocates for progressive policies and rights of people with intellectual disabilities. Its publications are primarily for disability professionals; also has many excellent fact sheets and newsletters on future planning and other topics of interest to families of people with disabilities.
Arc of the US- This site is for the national association of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. It has fact sheets and publications on various legal and financial topics of concern to families of individuals with disabilities.
American Bar Association (ABA), Commission on the Mentally and Physically Disabled- - intended primarily for lawyers, this web site has many readable information products on wills, guardianship and disability law. It also includes a book entitled "Life Services Planning for the Elderly and People with Disabilities," that would be of interest to family caregivers.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities-This state council has a number of excellent publications on topics related to community living, including information on Supplemental (Special Needs) Trusts.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)- This site is aimed at the general population, aged 50 and over. It contains information and print resources on life insurance, home equity loans, money management and using financial planners. May be helpful for older parents; it is NOT disability-related.

Syracuse University, Center on Human Policy- This web site is aimed at disability professionals, but has much reading material and information on community living that would be of interest to families; also has many links to other sites.
Opening Doors: A housing initiative for the disability community- This site is focused on the need to make affordable housing available to people with all types of disabilities. It reports on current success stories & lists many housing resources.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council- This private, nonprofit entity has a wealth of print and video resources available on a number of topics, including reports on supported and independent living, and affordable housing.
AAMR- This is the national organization that advocates for progressive policies and rights of people with intellectual disabilities. Its publications are primarily for disability professionals; also has many excellent fact sheets and newsletters on residential options and community living.
Florida Dept. of Children and Families/Developmental Disabilities Program- The Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) assists Florida residents who have developmental disabilities and their families. It provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities and funds providers of supports and services. The DDP headquarters or main office is in Tallahassee; supports and services are provided via the 15 district offices throughout the state.
Arc of the US- This is the national association of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. It has fact sheets, videos and publications on various residential options.
University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration-This site has a variety of informational products covering many facets of community inclusion, including supported and independent living for people with disabilities.
FASST- This Florida web site contains information on a wide variety of assistive technology devices and home modification items that enable community living.
HUD- This federal government web site has a special page listing information about various residential options available for people with disabilities. It also includes special housing assistance programs and links to related information.
Center for Housing and New Community Economics (CHANCE)- This web site is at the University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability. It offers extensive resources for individuals & families, including a comprehensive home ownership guide.
Family Village- This site is an extensive information resource for individuals of all ages who have cognitive and other disabilities, as well as their families and service providers. The site is housed at the University of Wisconsin and funded primarily by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. It has information about home ownership, home modifications and service providers.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities- This state council has a number of excellent publications on topics related to community living, including information and guides on renting and owning a home.
Parents Planning Programs for the Developmentally Disabled in Florida- This site is listed here as an example of one residential option. It belongs to a private Florida organization that hopes to develop a parent-owned and work-integrated residential community as an alternative to traditional group homes and supported living. The concept is a model of a self-sufficient, rural community.
University of Miami School of Medicine's Developmental Disabilities Resources: for Parents, Families, and Consumers Website- The purpose of this site is to provide a public resource for parents, families, & consumers containing documents, website links, and videos developed by the Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami School of Medicine with support by the Florida Developmental Disability Council. The categories covered are: Assistive Technology, Early Care/Education/Child Care, Early Intervention, Education-School Age, Employment, Services & Supports, Health Care, and Adults with Disabilities.
Florida's Voice on Mental Retardation, Inc. (FVMR)- This organization is a statewide all volunteer, non-profit organization comprised of family and friends of persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. FVMR offers family members and friends support services and research materials, while also advocating on behalf of persons with mental retardation, particularly those whose conditions are so severe that they cannot speak for themselves.

National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP)- This national site is aimed at increasing participation of people with disabilities in National Service Programs, such as AmeriCorps. "Stories from the Field" describes the benefits real people have obtained from their community service experiences; gives links for information.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council-- This private, nonprofit entity has a wealth of print and video resources available on supported employment topics.
Florida Dept. of Children and Families/Developmental Disabilities Program- The Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) assists Florida residents who have developmental disabilities and their families. It provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities and funds providers of supports and services. The DDP headquarters or main office is in Tallahassee; supports and services, including employment-related supports, are provided via the 15 district offices throughout the state.
Arc of the US- This is the national association of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. It has fact sheets and publications on various employment topics.
Best Buddies International- This national site has fact sheets and information about their supported employment and friendship programs for individuals with retardation.
Family Village- This site is an extensive information resource for individuals of all ages who have cognitive and other disabilities, as well as their families and service providers. The site is housed at the University of Wisconsin and funded primarily by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. It includes information about supported employment.
Syracuse University, Center on Human Policy- This national site showcases its policies, research and advocacy issues for people with disabilities. It also has reading material and information on supported employment and supported living.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)- This national site is a free consulting service with extensive information about job accommodations and employing people with disabilities, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Association of Persons in Supported Employment- This national web site is aimed at employment professionals but has information on successful supported employment strategies and links to other resources of interest to families.
Social Security Online- This federal site has comprehensive information relating to individuals with disabilities and family caregivers alike. It also has information about the latest programs to help people with disabilities go to work.
Brytech Inc.- This site has an example of one device - a product called the "Portable Bank Note Reader for Blind, Visually Impaired and Deaf-Blind People" - that allows people with vision impairments to work in a job where money is exchanged. (Many other assistive devices for employment and everyday life are listed on the "JAN" and "FAAST" web sites noted above.)
University of Miami School of Medicine's Developmental Disabilities Resources: for Parents, Families, and Consumers Website- The purpose of this site is to provide a public resource for parents, families, & consumers containing documents, website links, and videos developed by the Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami School of Medicine with support by the Florida Developmental Disability Council. The categories covered are: Assistive Technology, Early Care/Education/Child Care, Early Intervention, Education-School Age, Employment, Services & Supports, Health Care, and Adults with Disabilities.

Family Care Council- This web site provides current information to consumers and families, as well as details about each local Family Care Council and it's meetings.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs - This site has much information for aging caregivers, as well as for people with disabilities who are aging. There is a help line for information and referral to elder services in your area and direct links to the 11 local Area Agencies on Aging. Other features include a "benefits check-up" to help determine those benefits for which you and/or your relative may be eligible, and the current issue of the informative Elder Update newsletter.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council-This private, nonprofit entity has a wealth of print and video resources, including many on support coordination, paid services and supports in Florida.
Florida Dept. of Children and Families/Developmental Disabilities Program- The Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) assists Florida residents with developmental disabilities and their families. It provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with disabilities and funds providers of supports and services. The DDP headquarters or main office is in Tallahassee; supports and services are provided through contracts with providers in each of the 15 service areas across the state. The DDP has an information kit for families and individuals about making service/support choices.
Family Village-This site is an extensive information resource for individuals of all ages who have cognitive and other disabilities, as well as their families and service providers. The site is housed at the University of Wisconsin and funded primarily by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. It has resources for families on many disability-related topics, including services and supports.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)- This national center provides information on disabilities and related issues to families, educators and other professionals. Though its special focus is children and youth, it has good information for individuals of all ages. This particular page has links to current Florida legislators and state office contacts for a number of specific disability organizations and family groups in Florida.
University of Miami School of Medicine's Developmental Disabilities Resources: for Parents, Families, and Consumers Website- The purpose of this site is to provide a public resource for parents, families, & consumers containing documents, website links, and videos developed by the Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami School of Medicine with support by the Florida Developmental Disability Council. The categories covered are: Assistive Technology, Early Care/Education/Child Care, Early Intervention, Education-School Age, Employment, Services & Supports, Health Care, and Adults with Disabilities.