Information & Resources for Hillsborough County

 

Go to Social Services,  Recreation,  Support Groups, or Service Providers for Hillsborough

 

Local Advocacy & Resource Organizations

 

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)
University of South Florida
Louis de la Parte Mental Health Institute
Department of Child & Family Studies
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MHC 2113-A
Tampa, Fl 33612-3899
(813) 974-2532; In Florida (800) 333-4530; (813) 974-6115 (fax)
Web: http://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu

 

Deaf Service Bureau of West Central Florida

The Deaf Service Bureau provides a large range of services including interpreting, employment services, advocacy, help with hearing aids, American Sign Language classes, obtaining clothing and food and assistance with buying a house. The Deaf Service Bureau provides services in 13 counties.  Web:  www.deafservicebureau.org 

Tampa Office: 9215 N. Florida Ave., Suite 109, Tampa, FL 33612   Phone: 813-930-7682 V/TTY
 

Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough

a not-for-profit organization that specializes in the funding and delivery of quality early childhood care and education programs and services to the children and families of Hillsborough County.  Available programs include: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), School Readiness, Five Stars For Kids, and Early Learning Parent Resources. 

1002 E. Palm Avenue,Tampa, Florida 33605.

(813) 229-2884  Website:  www.elchc.org

 

FAAST Regional Demo Center

Located at Tampa General Rehabilitation Center

The Florida Alliance for Assistive Technology Demonstration Center provides device specific trainings to children and young adults with disabilities. Participants learn how to use communication devices, switch adapted toys, voice recognition software, Ipad applications, and a variety of computer software applications.  Contact: Nancy Mashberg
Tampa General Rehabilitation Center
6 Tampa General Circle Room 214, Tampa, FL 33606
PH: (813) 844-7591, TDD: (813) 844-7767  Email:faastcen@tgh.org

 

Family Care Council SunCoast Area

Established in 1993 by Florida Statute, the Family Care Council (FCC) advises the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) on the needs of self-advocates and their families.  The 14 local Family Care Councils work with APD in educating, advocating, and empowering families of persons with developmental disabilities (DD).  They also assist APD with the delivery of services to persons receiving Med-Waiver funds.  Statewide Website:  www.fccflorida.org   Click on "SC" on map for local contact information.

 

Families of Kids with Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Inc.

(also serves Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas counties )

Supports child and teen mental health by empowering West Central Florida families through increased community awareness and stigma reduction programs. We passionately strive to involve the whole community in education, care and support programs to reduce stigma and increase self-confidence so all youth may openly be accepted and understood for who they are.

www.familiesofkids.org

 

Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC)

The FCIC is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service or UCEDD.  FCIC focuses on research and evaluation, theory, policy, capacity building, and practice in the areas of: Community Supports, Early Childhood, Transition, Education, Employment, Health, Interdisciplinary Training, Public Policy, and Cultural Competence. 

Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MHC 2113A, Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: (813) 974-3126 Toll Free: (866) 818-4797  Website:  http://flfcic.fmhi.usf.edu/

 

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)

FDLRS (pronounced Fiddlers) provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide. FDLRS supports the State education goals of high student achievement, safe schools, and high performing workforce. FDLRS activities reflect these goals and demonstrate outcomes toward accomplishing them. Statewide Website:  www.paec.org/fdlrsweb/index.htm

 

Florida Peer Network

An independent organization of and for persons with psychiatric disabilities and co-occuring disorders. Their mission is to promote recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for consumers throughout the state of Florida.  www.floridapeernetwork.org

13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
MHC 2505,  Tampa, Florida 33612 

 

Florida's Positive Behavior Support Project

This project is designed to support teachers, administrators, related services personnel, family members, and outside agency personnel in building district-wide capacity to address challenging behavior exhibited by students in regular and special education programs.

Florida's Positive Behavior Support Project
DARES/CFS/FMHI MHC2113A
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-3899

Phone:  (813) 974-6440  email:  flpbs@fmhi.usf.edu   Website:  www.flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu

 

FDLRS Hillsborough

4210 W. Bay Villa Ave.

Tampa, FL 33611

(813) 837-7777  Website:  http://www1.sdhc.k12.fl.us/~fdlrs/index.htm

 

FRANC

FRANC (Fathers Resource and Networking Center) serves as a community-wide hub for fatherhood initiatives, activities and services. The mission of FRANC is to make available resources, support, information and education to enable dads to address the challenges and celebrate the joys of positive fathering and involvement with their children. FRANC services are for all dads... married, single, divorced, foster, surrogate, expectant and mentors. To learn more about FRANC, call (813) 356-1293.  FRANC is a program of the Child Abuse Council:  http://www.childabusecouncil.com/programs.html

 

Freedom Playground

Our mission is to design and build Tampa’s first universally accessible playground. Stimulating and challenging structures will be installed on accessible surfacing. Traditional play equipment will be integrated with the elements of art, nature and water for children and families of all abilities to share the joy and freedom of play.  Website:  www.freedomplayground.org

P.O. Box 320295
Tampa, FL 33679-2295 Phone: (813) 254-3804

 

Hillsborough Achievement & Resource Centers (HARC)

Since 1953, The Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens, a community based non-profit organization, has been providing youths and adults with developmental disabilities with opportunities, resources, and advocacy through all facets of their lives. Provides residential, employment, and transportation services and life-skills training.  Website:  www.hillsarc.com

HARC Information Center

P.O. Box 9537, Tampa, FL 33574  Phone (813) 273-6364

 

K.I.D.D.s. (Keys for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)

Our group was created for those involved with the developmental disabilities community.  The goal of this group is to access resources in areas such as advocacy and education.  We feel strongly that to educate not only ourselves but also those around us will be of great benefit to our children.  K.I.D.D.s. is a project of FDLRS Hillsborough and sponsors informational workshops.  For more information please contact Debbie Valdes at (813)837-7740 or debora.valdes@sdhc.k12.fl.us.

 

Positive Family Intervention Project

Collaborative effort between the University of South Florida (USF) and the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) housed at USF's St. Petersburg campus.  The project is a research study that has been designed to evaluate two approaches to parent education, both of which have been proven to be effective in improving children's behavior.  Parents participating in this study will receive training and assistance in positive behavior support for their young child with a developmental disability.  For more information contact Meme Hieneman, PH.D. at 727-873-4814 or go to:  http://www.stpt.usf.edu/coas/pfi/index.htm

 

Self-Reliance Center for Independent Living

Our mission is to promote independence through empowering persons with disabilities and improving the communities in which they live. We are a cross disability agency providing services to both children and adults with disabilities ( regardless of age and type of disability ) to identify and overcome barriers to independence in their lives. Services are provided free of charge.

8901 N. Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33604  Phone: 813-375-3965  Website:  www.self-reliance.org 

For Videophone owners call direct at 813-375-3966. To reach the VP Relay operator call 1-866-327-8877 and give the operator our direct number.
 

STatewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities (STAND)

STAND was started in December of 1996 by a diverse, educated group of parents and attorneys who recognized that children with disabilities are misunderstood in the community, by both education professionals and lay persons alike. STAND is concerned with three main topics: advocacy, legal rights, and above all, education.

Mailing Address:  PO Box 172236, Tampa, Florida, 33672-0236

(813) 258-5700  stand@standadvocates.org

 

United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay/ Achieve Tampa Bay

The mission of Achieve Tampa Bay is to guide and assist families and individuals with any disability or other barriers to achieve their full potential, resulting in community inclusion and independence.   Services are provided for UCP of Tampa Bay through Achieve Tampa Bay. Our comprehensive approach is characterized by a focus on the entire family, based on the goals of the client, with measurable outcomes and results.

2215 E. Henry Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.  Website:  www.achievetampabay.org

(813) 239-1179 / (800) 749-5155

 

Social Services

 

Children's Medical Services (CMS)

The Children's Medical Services (CMS) program provides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care. Children with special health care needs are those children under age 21 whose serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children.  Website:  http://www.cms-kids.com/default.htm  The website provides contact information by Region of the State.

CMS-Tampa
13101 N. Bruce B. Downs Blvd.                                             
Tampa, FL  33612
(813) 396-9696
Regional Medical Director: John Curran, M.D.
Regional Nursing Director: Joanne Angel, R.N.
Regional Program Administrator: Patty Kopp

Early Steps

Early Steps is administered by Children's Medical Services (CMS) in accordance with IDEA, Part C.  Early Steps offers early intervention services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay.  Sixteen contracted local Early Steps across the state coordinate with community agencies and other contracted providers for the delivery of needed supports and services. Toll Free Phone:  888-654-440  Website:  http://www.cms-kids.com/Earlystepshome.htm

 

University of South Florida - Early Steps

13101 North Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33612

813-974-0687

Fax: 813-558-1343

Annalise Camplisi – Early Steps Coordinator

e-mail: acampisi@hsc.usf.edu

 

Infants & Young Children West Central FL., Inc.

(Covers Hillsborough & Polk Counties)

1308 W. Sligh Avenue

Tampa, FL 33604                                        

813-375-3980/ Fax: 813-375-3984

Pat Grosz – Director/ e-mail: pgrosz@tampabay.rr.com

 

Recreation

 

Cool Kids Club

Cool Kids Club is a group of teens/young adults with special needs that gets together on a regular basis to enjoy any number of fun activities.  The group is limited to 8 girls and 8 boys, ages 12-22.  Any additional teens that are interested are placed on a waiting list and added as places become available.  The program is open to those in the Tampa Bay and participants should be prepared to travel to the host’s site.  For more information about Cool Kids Club contact Jeanne DeVita at Jhdevita@yahoo.com.  Click here for an article about Cool Kids Club

 

Hillsborough County Parks Department

Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department offers a 9 week summer day camp for children ages 6 - 22 with most types of disabilites. Beginning June 9th, the camp provides various types of recreational activities such as games, arts & crafts, music, field trips, guest speakers, and lots of fun for all. Campers must be able to function in a 1 to 6 staff to client ratio and must not have high medical needs. Registration is limited to Hillsborough County residents unless the camp is not at capacity by June 9th. The cost is $300.00 for the whole summer, payable in two installments, plus the cost of field trips and snacks.  There are 7 locations throughout the county.  Similar after school programs are offered throughout the school year as well. Please call 813-744--5978 for more information.

 

Little League Challenger Programs for Special Needs Children

Skyway Little League

4840 Independence Parkway, Tampa, FL

Contact:  Bobby Anderson (813) 300-5407

 

Northside Little League

2640 North Lakeview Drive, Tampa, FL

Contact:  Frank Reyes (813) 974-7415

 

Support Groups

 

Buddy Break Free Respite

Buddy Break is a FREE respite program designed to give caregivers of kids with special needs (VIP kids) a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours on Friday nights or Saturday mornings (depending on the location). Each VIP kid at Buddy Break is paired up with a Buddy for one-on-one attention as everyone has fun playing games, hearing and seeing great children's stories, videos, music and more...and the caregivers get a break!  Locations in Longwood, Orlando, Tampa, and Winter Park. See website for details:

www.nathanielshope.org

 

 

Concerned Parents of Autistic Children (CPOAC)

Support group for the parents and caregivers of autistic children and a non-profit organization. We have meetings each month designed to support parents raising children with diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum. Topics range from development and strategies to sharing humorous and poignant stories about members' experiences with their children.  Meetings held the last Sunday of every month from 3pm-5pm at:

Nature's Health Foods

3443 Lithia Pinecrest Road

Valrico, FL 33594

Contact:  Dr. Moursi/ Late Hours Urgent Care Center (813) 643-9393 hmoursi@hotmail.com

or Ed Dickelman (813) 681-1491 edickel1@tampabay.rr.com

 

Parents of High-Functioning Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

(PASS) Support Group
Meets at the YMCA Campo Family in Valrico

Liisa Neumann: 813-684-2813  liisaneumann@tampabay.rr.com

Caryn Reddy:  813-657-1895  or  Petra Taylor:  813-643-8537 www.ideasaboutautism.com/pass

 

SibShops

A family support program, provides support and guidance to young people who have a sibling with a disability. Through participation in SibShops, they can develop a better understanding of their sibling’s disability, spend time with peers who have a sibling with a disability, share their feelings in a safe and understanding environment and participate in enjoyable activities with peers. For additional information about Sibshops email Chrisie Petersen at cpetersen@achievetampabay.org or call her at 813-239-1179, ext. 209. 

National Sibling Support Project Website:  http://www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops

 

Tampa Bay Parent Support Group

For parents raising children with ADHD, strong-willed personalities, difficult temperaments, and other challenges.  Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7pm - 8:15pm at the Jan Platt library.  (No meeting in December.) Check www.norrinerussell.com for monthly topics. For more information, please contact Norrine at Norrine@norrinerussell.com or (813) 508-2367.

 

Service Providers

 

Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay

Develops and implements skill acquisition and/or behavior reduction programs for children with autism or similar disorders as well as children who engage in disruptive behavior.

6916 W Linebaugh Avenue, Suite 102, Tampa, Florida 33625. 
Phone: (813) 265-0210 Fax: (813) 265-0218     Email: info@bcotb.com   

Website:  http://www.bcotb.com/links.html

Pasco County location: Redfern Professional Office Complex, 3717 Turman Loop, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544.  Phone:  (813) 265-0210

 

Beth Ingram Therapy Services

Community-based private physical, occupational and speech language therapy practice committed to professional assessment and treatment of a wide variety of functional limitations.  We not only serve pediatric patients birth-21 years of age but also the adult population.  We have six locations in the Tampa Bay region in order to best suit the patient’s needs. 

602 Vonderburg Dr. Suite 200, Brandon, FL 33511 (main office) 

Phone: (813) 653-1149 Website:  www.bethingram.com

 

Brain Balance Achievement Center

The Brain Balance Program® is an individualized and comprehensive approach to helping children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties surmount their unique challenges. We are brain-based, not drug based.  We subscribe to the theory that the brain can be changed—something once thought impossible. To gain a full understanding of your child’s difficulties we first conduct a comprehensive assessment of all areas of their brain and body function. Then, by integrating physical and cognitive exercises with dietary change, we are able to correct the underlying imbalance, improve function and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors. 

Website: www.brainbalancecenters.com  Phone: (813) 475-6977

Oldsmar Office:  4022 Tampa Rd., Suite 6, Oldsmar, FL 34677

 

Home Safe

Making life accessible. We cover all of Florida. Whether you are looking for an addition to a pre-existing home, cabinet installation, putting in a new floor or making a home handicap accessible, Home Safe is her for all of your construction needs.   Specializing in: Barrier-free bathrooms, accessible kitchens, wheelchair lifts, shower chairs, ceiling lifts, grab bars, and ramps.  We accept the Home & Community Based Services Waiver (Big Waiver) and the FL Supported Living Waiver (Little Waiver.)  Owners:  Ward Farley & Glenn Gullo

5914 Jet Port Industrial Blvd., Tampa, FL 33624. 

Office:  813-890-8809 or Toll Free: 877-854-8897

Website:  http://home-safe.org/  E-mail:  home.safe@verizon.net

Licensed contractor:  QB20996 / CGC057678

 

John Disselkoen, Financial Advisor
21st Century Financial, Inc
Does not charge any fees for meeting with a family or developing a financial plan, paid on a strictly commission basis. Also a financial provider for the Hillsborough Country Children's Board ASO. 4401 W Kennedy Blvd Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33609. 

Office Phone: (813) 281-9200    Cell: (813) 368-5089

 

Janis L Krempa, M.Ed., BCBA
Autism and Behavior Analysis Consultation. Web-based Functional Behavior Assessments & Behavior Plans, highly individualized instruction & programming, web-based seminars, and Independent Educational Evaluations.  Website:  www.janiskrempa.com  E-mail:  jlkrempa@gmail.com  Phone: (813) 262-2572

 

 

Oasis Counseling

Their mission is to enrich and empower the families that they serve and to inspire youths to make positive decisions that will help them develop into productive citizens.

Maggie Dulcio, M.S., L.M.H.C.
713 West Lumsden Road, Brandon, FL 33511.  Phone: 813-418-2682

Website:  www.myoasiscounseling.com

 

Phoenix House/ Tampa

Provider of Substance Abuse Treatment, serving the state of Florida with high quality long term residential treatment services.

5620 East Fowler Ave., Ste. 8, Tampa, FL 33617  Phone:  (813) 989-9170 

Website:  www.phoenixhouse.org/tampa

 

Rehab Ideas

Rehab Ideas was founded by a group of rehabilitation engineers, specialists, and experts in the health care industry, with a mission to apply the latest in technology and engineering to increase the independence of people with disabilities.  For more information contact John Trivento:  (813)600-3058 ext 113, john@rehabideas.com  Website: www.rehabideas.com  See Rehab Ideas' YouTube channel for demonstrations of the Backpack Retriever and the Trayaway wheelchair accessories:  http://www.youtube.com/user/RehabIdeas#p/u

 

 

 

Parent Training & Information Center:

Central Florida Parent Center / AWARE Project

Milagros Pou, Diane Joslin, or Eileen Gilley

Home Office - (888) 612-9273

or (727) 789-2400

 

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