Information & Resources
for Pinellas County
Go to Social Services,
Recreation, Support Groups, or
Service Providers for Pinellas
Local Advocacy &
Resource Organizations
Caring & Sharing Center for
Independent Living (CASCIL)
Serves Pasco & Pinellas Counties
A consumer controlled, community based,
cross-disability organization that promotes the empowerment and
self-determination of persons with disabilities through its services and
advocacy. A majority of the staff and board of directors are
persons with significant disabilities. At CASCIL, you determine what you
need to live a more self-determined lifestyle. We help you to fill
those needs whenever possible. Your goals become our goals.
You are in control.
12552 Belcher Rd
S., Largo, Fl 33773
Phone:
727-539-7550 Website:
www.cascil.org
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
St. Pete Office:
4140 49th Street North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33709.
Phone: 866-459-8228 TTY VP:
727-861-4262
Early Learning Coalition of
Pinellas County
The Early Learning Coalition of
Pinellas County is a not for profit planning and funding agency
focused on early care and education. The goal of the Early
Learning Coalition is to prepare all children to enter
kindergarten ready to succeed. Additionally, the Coalition
supports school age children in continuing academic achievement.
The coalition achieves these goals in collaboration with
community partners by providing: Child care scholarships; VPK-
Florida's FREE Voluntary Prekindergarten program for 4 year
olds; Training and technical assistance for child care
providers; Developmental, vision and hearing screenings; and
Resource and referral information for families looking for child
care.
http://elcpinellas.net
ESE Kids
ESEKids.org (ESE Parents and Advocates)
was founded to represent the educational needs of children belonging to
the numerous special needs groups. We feel we can better partner with
the Pinellas County School Board, as members of their ESE Advisory
Committee, as a unified group to assist in decision making in regards to
the programs and services offered by the school district. www.esekids.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.
Family Center on Deafness
Provides services to households where
either a child or parent is deaf or hard of hearing. Programs
include a playgroup for children, a parent network with monthly meetings
where child care is provided, tutoring to assist deaf parents in reading
to their children, and many other services. Website:
www.familycenterondeafness.org
Families of Kids with Mood and
Anxiety Disorders, Inc.
(also
serves Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco 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 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
FDLRS Gulfcoast
(Covers Hernando, Pasco, &
Pinellas Counties)
Pinellas County Schools
1960 E. Druid Road
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 793-2731
http://www.pcsb.org/ese/FDLRS.html
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
Special Kids Dance & Performing
Arts
Special Kids Dance & Performing Arts is a nonprofit
organization that offers dance and performing arts programs to kids and
young adults with special needs. Their mission is to provide instruction
to improve fitness, focus, muscle strength, coordination, balance,
self-confidence and social skills. Program also offers a Tae-Kwon-Do
class, and welcomes siblings. Classes are held at:
Lighthouse of Pinellas,
6925 -
112th Circle N. Suite 103, Largo, Florida 33773. For more
information see website or call Lisa Fultz at (727) 394-2636.
www.specialkidsdance.org
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
Upper Pinellas Association for
Retarded Citizens (UPARC)
UPARC offers housing, day programs and other
services for individuals with develpmental disabilities. UPARC is
dedicated to enabling individuals with mental retardation and other
developmental disabilities to choose and realize their goals of where
and how to live, learn, work, and play.
1501 N. Belcher Rd., Suite 249
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 799-3330
www.uparc.com
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-St. Petersburg
(Covers
Pasco &
Pinellas Counties)
3251 3rd
Avenue North, STE 130
St. Petersburg,
FL 33713
(727) 893-2775/
1-800-336-1612
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: 888-654-4440
Website:
http://www.cms-kids.com/families/early_steps/early_steps.html
All Children’s Hospital /
West Central Early Steps
(Covers
Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Pinellas Counties)
480 7th
Avenue South, Department 7470, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-767-4403 / 800-374-4334 / Fax:
727-727-4715
Harry Fogle – Director, e-mail:
fogleh@allkids.org
Coordinated Child Care of
Pinellas County
Assists Pinellas County families with
finding child care, helps low/middle income families pay for child care,
provides improvement resources for child care providers,
and provides other
family
support and education services. (727) 547-5700 Website:
www.childcarepinellas.org
Head Start Pinellas County
Pinellas County Head Start/Early
Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development
program. It serves low income children from birth to mandatory school
age, their families and expectant mothers. The purpose of the
program is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and
cognitive development of low-income children through the provision of
comprehensive services; and to assist their families. (727)
547-5900 Website:
www.pinellascountyheadstart.org
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)
Program
Parents/ Guardians may enroll their
children in the VPK Program by contacting Coordinated Child Care of
Pinellas, Inc. Phone: (727) 547-5700 Website:
www.childcarepinellas.org
Recreation
Camp Redbird
City
of St. Petersburg summer playcamp for youth and adults with
disabilities. Every day at Camp Redbird has something different to
offer. Our staff to camper ratios are typically much smaller than other
summer camps and the program provides campers the enhanced structure
that they need to be successful. Activities include a variety of games,
arts & crafts, sports, exercise, field trips and swimming. Therapeutic
recreation and leisure activities are planned to foster each
individual’s motor, cognitive and social skills development. Camp
Redbird consists of three separate groups for youth (ages 6-11), teens
(ages 12-17) and adults (ages 18 and up).
For more information call (727)
893-7899 or email
barbara.vancamp@stpete.org.
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
Creative Clay Cultural Arts
Center
Creative Clay’s mission is to
make the arts accessible for every interested member of the
community regardless of age, gender, ability and/or race.
Since 1995, Creative Clay has been providing local artists
with developmental, physical and/or emotional disabilities
an opportunity to pursue their passion for art making. Our
arts programs consist of studio and community based
activities for exploring unique personal realities in an
inventive, professional environment.
Phone: (727) 825-0515
Website:
www.creativeclay.org E-mail:
spcreativeclay@aol.com
Little League Challenger Program
Azalea Little League
2950 75th Street, North, St. Petersburg,
FL.
Contact: Lee or Kathie Fulmer (727)
345-7407
Saddle Up Riding Club
Therapeutic Riding Club which
provides structured horseback riding sessions to children and adults
with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Instructors
are nationally certified in therapeutic riding through NARHA and
volunteers and horses have been carefully selected and trained for their
roles. Saturdays, from 9am - 12pm.
For more information see Website:
www.saddleupridingclub.org
Seminole Family Aquatic Center
Swim lessons for children with
disabilities. Everyone should learn how to swim regardless of
ability or disability. Lessons are taught by Dawn Lewellyn, a
certified Water Safety Instructor through the American Red Cross and a
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Dawn has over 10 years
experience working with children and adults with disabilities.
Pre-Registration is Required! *Must be a Seminole Recreation
Member to participate* Call for details or to register: (727)
397-6085.
TopSoccer
Tops Soccer is a soccer
program
designed specifically for children with special needs.
Volunteer coaches and buddies who help the players are extremely
important to the success of this program. We are always looking for new
players and volunteers. It’s a great service opportunity for kids, ages
9 and up. It’s a fun way for high schoolers to earn community service
hours too!
If you would like to volunteer as a buddy,
contact Karen Thompson kmt86@earthlink.net or
Abby Rudderham
rudderham2@netzero.net
YMCA Camp Coast
Camp Coast is a summer day
camp specifically for children with autism and developmental
disabilities that allow them to feel comfortable in a safe, fun and
nurturing environment. Camp Coast is designed to meet the needs of
children between the ages of 5 and10 that are considered high
functioning on the autism spectrum. Website:
www.ymcasuncoast.org
Camp Coast pdf brochure
Specialized Activities pdf
brochure
Support Groups
CHADD Pinellas County
(Children & Adults with
Attention Defecit/ Hyperactivity Disorder)
Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at Bay Pines Medical Auditorium,
Building 20
10000 Bay Pines Blvd. (Alt. US 19), St. Petersburg, FL
Contact Nancy at
chaddtampa@yahoo.com
More Info:
www.chaddonline.org/chapters
CHADD North Pinellas West Pasco
(Children & Adults with
Attention Defecit/ Hyperactivity Disorder)
Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month at
the Palm Harbor Fire Rescue Station No. 65
250 West Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL
Contact Beverly at
north-pinellas-west-pasco@chadd.net
Website:
www.chadd.net/282
Down
Syndrome Network of Pinellas (Up With Downs)
P.O. Box 523
Largo, FL
33779
(727)
462-2274 Website:
www.downsyndromenetworkofpinellas.com
E-mail:
upwithdownsofpinellas@yahoo.com
Gulf
Coast Chapter - Autism Society of America
P.O. Box
21105
St.
Petersburg, FL 33742
E-mail:
gulfcoastautism@yahoo.com
Infants & Toddlers Support Group
All Children’s
Hospital - Early Steps Support Group Meetings.
This is an all-inclusive Support Group for families
who have Infants and Toddlers Ages Birth to Three years old with
Developmental Disabilities and Delays. Please Call to RSVP. (727)
767-6705. Contact:
Paula Keyser Email:
keyserp@allkids.org. Meetings held at: All
Children's Hospital - Early Steps Program, 500 7th Avenue South, 2nd
Floor, St. Petersburg FL 33701 US.
Just Us Girls
Therapeutic recreation program for girls
ages 10 and up. It is held in Largo on specific Saturdays from 6pm
to 8pm, and each Saturday has a different theme. Themes range from
Etiquette & Dining to Line Dancing to art and crafts. This program
is designed to help girls learn social skills and more. In order
to attend each participant will need to purchase a recreation card.
Prices range from $5 to $85 per year, depending on where you live.
For more information contact Ashley Friend at (727) 518-3016 or
afriend@largo.com.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder Support Group
Please
attend even if you have everything under control - you may be able to
help someone else! Meetings held at:
Clearwater
East Library, 2251 Drew Street - Meeting Room B
For more
information call: (727) 736-0002
Pinellas Families for
Children’s Mental Wellness (PFCMW)
Strives to
encourage and empower parents/families to advocate for and seek mental
wellness for their children. download
pdf
flyer
The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast
The Gathering Place, Building 100
5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760
For More Information:Debra MacLean, Parent
PFCMW@tampabay.rr.com (727)
345-3239
Service Providers
Autism Early
Intervention Clinics
ABA Therapy for
children and adolescents with autism and other developmental
disabilities.
8950 Dr. Martin
Luther King Street, North, Suite 170, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Phone: (727)
576-7600 Website:
www.autismclinics.com
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
Largo Office:
1725 East Bay Drive Largo, Florida. (Please call the main office
for scheduling)
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
Coaching4kids.com
Coaching for Kids
teaches children how to effectively communicate and gain experiences in
problem solving. 6727 1st Avenue South Suite 110, Saint Petersburg, FL
33707
Phone: (727)
686-2934 Email:
Nancy@coaching4kids.com
Website:
www.coaching4kids.com
Healing the Generations
Privately owned
rehabilitation company in Pinellas County, Florida. We are a strictly
hands-on therapy services provider for infants, children and adults. We
provide out-patient, as well as home health services for physical,
occupational, speech and massage therapies. 14141
46th Street North, Suite 1202, Clearwater, FL 33762 Phone: ( 727)
535-6746
Spring/Summer 08 Newsletter
Harold Lampert, MS, OTR/L
Lampert's Home Therapy, Inc.
8254
118th Avenue North, Suite 100
Largo, FL 3377 Phone: (727) 541-5304 Fax (727) 546-8527
The Kidz Club
The Kidz Club is a very special place for
children who are medically fragile. We are a Prescribed Pediatric
Extended Care (PPEC) facility. Our mission is to provide the safest,
most up-lifting, and cost effective medical treatment available in a
daycare setting.
850 3rd Ave South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Main (727) 821-5439; Fax (727)
821-9459; Cell (727) 644-3244
Email:
christina@thekidzclub.com
Website:
http://www.thekidzclub.com/
NurseCore
Private Duty Home Care
NurseCore is a national provider of
high-quality homecare; offering unskilled to skilled licensed nursing
services hourly and visits 24/7 from pediatrics to adults. Other
services available are Private Duty sitting and Medical Staffing for all
facilities. Nursecore specializes in caring for spinal cord injuries,
brain injuries and ventilator dependant patients. NurseCore is your
solution for tough-to-staff continuous care cases. NurseCore is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, our
Registered Nurse is available 24/7 to assist our employees and patients
with any clinical concerns that may arise. Customer service and quality
of care is our specialty.
www.NurseCore.net
Pinellas County Offices:
1919 Tyrone Blvd. N. St. Petersburg,
FL 33710 / 727-345-7009
Branch Director: Ginger Limardi
28805 U.S. Hwy. 19 North Clearwater,
FL 33761 / 727-787-2925
Branch Director: Patti
Cranford
Palm Harbor Family
Counseling Center
Social Skills groups for children with
high functioning Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, PDD-NOS, or with no
diagnosed disability who have difficulty with social interactions.
Facilitated by Susan Sorensen, MSW, a therapist, social worker and a previous
school social
worker with over 12 years experience.
2311 Alternate 19 N., Suite One, Palm
Harbor, FL 34683
(727) 254-9183
www.phcounseling.com
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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