Resource Guide / View

Advocacy and Support Agencies

Provider Name Provider Description Category Description Address City Location Description Location Phone Contact Contact Phone Provider Phone Provider EMail Provider URL
ARC Madison-Jefferson Inc. The mission of programs sponsored and carried out by the ARC / Madison – Jefferson Inc / Personnel Development Services is to assist persons with disabilities to live and work within their communities consistent with their interests, dignity and self respect. 122 SW Commerce Drive Madison 850-973-4614 850-973-4614 tl_taylor@earthlink.net http://www.arc-pds.org
Big Bend Homeless Coalition The Big Bend Homeless Coalition administers the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): A community-wide database that houses demographic information on homeless individuals served, as well as on usage of services for homeless persons in our community. The goal of this system is to help get a better picture of who we are serving and what homelessness looks like on any given day in our community. 2729 W. Pensacola Street 850-576-5566 info@bigbendhc.org www.bigbendhc.org
Brain Injury Association of Florida Assists individuals with brain injury and families by linking to available community resources that may address specific goals after rehabilitation. Family and Community Support Specialists provide education presentations to the public about brain injury. 800-992-3442 will refer callers to the closest office for services in their area. 1637 Metropolitan Boulevard 800-992-3442 info@biaf.org www.biaf.org
Children's Week The only broad-based promotion of children and family issues in Florida; A true grassroots event, supported by over 80 different non-profit, corporate, philanthropic, faith-based, state agencies and organizations; Develops and implements over 200 community events statewide, bringing thousands of parents, children, policy makers, professionals, community leaders, and concerned citizens together to share valuable information about children's issues in each community across the State and at the State Capitol; Visit website for more information The only broad-based promotion of children and family issues in Florida. A true grassroots event, supported by over 80 different non-profit, corporate, philanthropic, faith-based, state agencies and organizations; develops and implements over 200 community events statewide, bringing thousands of parents, children, policy makers, professionals, community leaders, and concerned citizens together to share valuable information about children's issues in each community across the State. N/A www.childrensweek.org
Disability Rights Florida Advancing the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and freedom of choice for persons with disabilities through collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as legal and legislative strategies. 2728 Centerville Road, Suite 102 800-342-0823 www.disabilityrightsflorida.org
Florida Department of Children and Families Offering a variety of services to families, including online child-care search, assistance with adoption, foster care, child protection, abuse hotlines, and much more 1317 Winewood Blvd, Bldg 1, Rm. 202 850-414-5093 www.dcf.state.fl.us
Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services (Florida Central Directory) A statewide information and referral system for families, service coordinators, and other professionals who work with children and youth, birth to 21, who are at risk for developmental delays, have a disability, and/or special healthcare needs 2807 Remington Green Circle Lou Ann Long 487-6301 (850)487-6301 lalong@centraldirectory.org www.centraldirectory.org
Florida Kinship Center Florida Kinship Center, at the University of South Florida's School of Social Work, is inspired to empower, serve and advocate for all kinship families. They engage the community to empower the lives of kinship caregivers and their families in the state of Florida through innovative services, education, advocacy, policy practice and research. 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, MGY 132 Tampa 813-974-1328 kinfo@flkin.org http://kinshipcenter.cbcs.usf.edu/default/index.cfm
Mentally Retarded Defendant Program (MRDP) Dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to acquire the skills and supports that will prepare them for success in their future and acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial. 124 Pecan Lane Chattahoochee 850-663-7512
Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida A private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to identify, fund, support, and evaluate innovative prevention and early intervention programs that improve the health, education, and life outcomes of Florida's at-risk children and families; Also houses statewide initiatives, including the voluntary home visiting program, Healthy Families Florida, and the Florida Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America 111 N. Gadsden St, Ste. 200 850-921-4494 www.ounce.org
Taylor Advocacy and Resource Center (TARC) Taylor Advocacy and Resource Center provides developmental training for adults with developmental disabilities. 1112 W. Main Street Perry 850-584-7145 850-584-7145
United Way of the Big Bend Unites/inspires local citizens in caring for one another and building a more vibrant community by raising/distributing funds to charitable, character-building agencies; Supports the most human service agencies in the local area and reaches people from all walks of life/income groups; Addresses the most prominent need areas in community: youth development, emergency services, physical health, children’s/senior/disabled services, family support, community support, and substance abuse 307 E. Seventh Ave 414-0844 uwbb@uwbb.org www.uwbb.org
Volunteer Leon, Leon County Volunteer Center A key resource for volunteer involvement in the Big Bend area. Volunteer Leon brings together individuals, non profit organizations, government organizations, faith-based communities, and civic groups in order to provide volunteers to the community. 918 Railroad Ave (850)606-1970 volunteerleon@leoncountyfl.gov www.volunteerleon.org
Whole Child Leon Community-wide effort to give children the best start in life by ensuring that they have everything they need to thrive. Unites agencies to streamline care and support; Serves as advocates for children Birth-5. Trains providers and volunteers on the Whole Child Leon Connection and the 'No Wrong Door' philosophy that can be utilized to assist families at their facility. Provides an online assessment, Whole Child Leon Connection, to assist parents in determining their needs and connects them with those who can help. Provides resources and referrals. Community-wide effort to give children the best start in life by ensuring that they have everything they need to thrive. The Whole Child Leon Connection provides referrals and resources for families in our area. www.WholeChildlLeon.org 2813 S. Meridian St 414-8344 www.wholechildleon.org
Worst to First A statewide advocacy campaign to make children's issues the top priority for Florida's leaders N/A www.worsttofirst.org
2-1-1 Big Bend Telephone counselors explore with the caller their needs and concerns about the social-emotional health of their family or call the Parent HelpLine 1-800-352-5683 PO Box 10950 2-1-1 www.211bigbend.org
Capital Area Healthy Start Provides services/support to pregnant women to have a healthy baby; Pregnant women are offered a HS Risk Screen by their healthcare provider. If screen indicates risk, a HS Care Coordinator is assigned and offers help. HS services include: child birth education, community referrals, emotional support, mental health counseling, breastfeeding support, child development classes, etc. CCs work w/ moms to determine the right support/services and work w/ the family until the child is 3 1311 N. Paul Russell Road Suite A-101 850-488-0288 Kristina@capitalareahealthystart.org www.capitalareahealthystart.org
The Children's Campaign, Inc They educate target audiences statewide through public events, electronic messaging, social networking, web based communication, access to policy briefs, paid and earned media, direct mail, advocacy training, public opinion research, key message design, training to community leaders, citizens and advocates in specific regions across Florida. PO Box 1718 850-425-2600 campaign@iamforkids.org www.iamforkids.org
Children's Home Society (CHS) Volunteer Program: Volunteers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join us in a variety of settings to help children stay safe and healthy; On-going opportunities for individuals and groups include assisting with preschool activities, mentoring a child or teen, homework projects for children in the shelter, case management, and organizing donations; Special volunteer projects include the holiday toy drive and back to school drive; For more info visit, www.chsfl.org/NorthCentral 1801 Miccosukee Commons Dr 921-0772 850-921-0772 www.chsfl.org
DISC Village Comprehensive prevention, intervention, and treatment agency; Offers Adult Services by providing a comprehensive assessment/case management to males and females through self-referrals and community referrals; Prevention Unit provides school-based/community-based substance abuse programs; Offers juvenile services; Offers independent living services as a means to help foster care youth better prepare to live on their own; Offers vocational programs to enable participants to become employed in a suitable job; Operates residential services campus in Woodville, FL; Family Services provides family preservation services in-home to families in the local community Big Bend Community Based Care: Collaboration between a group of local providers including Camelot Community Care and Children’s Home Society in response to the privatization of child welfare services. 3333 W. Pensacola Street 575-4388 discinfo@discvillage.com www.discvillage.com