LOCAL RESOURCES GUIDE
There are plenty of local, regional, and state agencies available to support families who are new
to the special education process. The following are only a few of the many resources available.
ADULT AND CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CARE
https://www.acmhc-fl.org/
This company provides clinical psychotherapy and counseling services to meet the mental health
needs of individuals of all ages. Their goal is to maximize personal potential and increase
resilience in the face of adversity.
ADVOCACY CENTER FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, Inc
https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/presentations/Intro_to_Special_Ed_Presentations/html/index.htm
The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. is a non-profit organization providing
protection and advocacy services in the State of Florida. The Center’s mission is to advance the
dignity, equality, self-determination, and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities.
AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
https://www.apd.myflorida.com/area/1/
This agency works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people
who have developmental disabilities and their families. They also provide assistance in
identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities or supports and services,
including people with severe autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, down
syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Phelan McDermid syndrome.
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
https://www.beyondexpectationsaba.com/
Beyond Expectations is owned and operated by Karen Reid, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst
and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. They provide ABA therapy for clients in the Fort
Walton Beach, Navarre, Crestview, Destin, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola areas. Services
(including applied behavior analysts and counseling) are provided to clients in a variety of
settings including in-home, at school, or at one of their clinics.
EARLY STEPS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SACRED HEART
https://www.earlystepsatsacredheart.org/
The goal of Early Steps is to connect families and caregivers with services to enhance their
child’s development so that children will be ready to succeed when they enter school. These
services are provided at no cost to families.
EAST HILL ACADEMY
http://www.easthillacademy.org/
This academy provides educational services to children in grades 1-12 with autism and other
related behaviors. This program has been developed for students who have been identified as
having a learning disability or disorder in these areas: ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism,
Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and Tourette’s Syndrome.
EMPOWERMENT PARENT RESOURCE CENTER
https://www.eprcnwfl.com/
Project Empower is a coalition for supporting persons with developmental disabilities. The
coalition provides tools and training for individuals with disabilities and the community at large.
It actively connects those in the community who can help each other, with a solution-oriented
approach designed to achieve complete community inclusion for all.
FAMILY CARE COUNCIL
https://www.area1fcc.org/
The mission of the Family Care Council is to advocate, educate, and empower individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families. The Family Care Council partners with the Agency
for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to bring quality services to individuals for dignity and
choice.
THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTER
https://mdc.fsu.edu/
The Florida State University Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center (MDC),
College of Social Work, is a grant through the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of
Exceptional Educational and Student Services (BEESS). It provides a range of services including
diagnostic evaluation and consultation services for children and youth identified as having
complex medical, educational, emotional, and/or behavioral problems. They also provide
consultation, pre-service, and in-service training for parents, teachers, other school and district
personnel.
FLORIDA TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY
https://www.ftri.org/
This is a statewide non-profit organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications
Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing,
Deaf/Blind, and Speech Disabled. They are also responsible for the education and promotion of
the Florida Relay Service.
GARDINER SCHOLARSHIP
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works/
The Gardiner Scholarship program helps parents individualize the educational plans for their
children with certain special needs by directing money toward a combination of programs and
approved providers. These include schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology, or
even a college savings account.
PALS: Program for Adult Learning and Support
https://arc-gateway.org/our-programs/pals/
This is a project of ARC Gateway, and is housed on the campus of Pensacola State College. The
purpose of the project is to provide learning on a college campus that focuses on career
certification, increased independence, and preparation to enter the workforce.
THINK COLLEGE
https://thinkcollege.net/
This website is dedicated to students with intellectual disabilities who may want to attend
college. Currently, 199 programs exist across the United States offering transition programs for
individuals with intellectual disabilities on a college campus.
