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Information & Resources for Polk County
Go to Social Services, Support Groups, or Service Providers for Polk
Local Advocacy & Resource Organizations
Center For Independent Living of Central Florida (Satellite Office)
Serves DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties
Founded in 1976 by Central Floridians dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve their self-determined goals for independent living. CIL is a consumer-driven organization whose philosophy is based on peer role models: people with disabilities empowering people with disabilities and their families on the road to independence.
500 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 413-2722 Toll Free: (888) 263-6692 Website: www.cilorlando.org
Family Care Council Area 14
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 "14" on map for local contact information.
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 Sunrise
(Covers Hardee & Polk Counties)
Polk County Office:
5204 US Hwy. 98
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 647-4258 Website: www.fdlrssunrise.com
Florida Lions Camp
Private, nonprofit camp established and dedicated to serving the needs of youth and adults with visual impairments and other challenging disabilities. All individuals, five years of age or older, are eligible to attend. A variety of traditional summer camp activities abound; swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking, camping out and cooking over a fire , games, arts & crafts, singing & dancing, hay-wagon rides, challenge course and much more. Activities are adapted to the age and ability of each camper to ensure maximum participation, safety and fun. www.lionscampfl.org
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-Lakeland
(Covers Hardee, Highland & Polk Counties)
4718 Old
Highway 37th South
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 701-1151
1-800-741-2250
Asst. Regional Medical Director: Timothy Gompf, M.D.
Asst. Regional Medical Director: William Ray, 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
Lakeland Early Steps
4718 Old Highway 37, #1002
Lakeland, FL 33812
863-701-1240
Louise Solomon, RN
e-mail: Lsolom@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
Central Florida Autism Institute
Central Florida Autism Institute (CFAI) is a non-profit grass roots organization started by families of children with autism and by concerned professionals. Together we desire simple options of dignity for our children with autism. We use the term "options" when we proclaim rights for people with disabilities. We believe they have the right to live their lives with dignity, growth, and development within their own communities... rights jointly claimed by all citizens.
P.O. Box 2292
Lakeland, FL 33806
(863) 680-1396 Website: www.cfaii.org
Florida Families For Children With Visual Impairments
FFCVI is a group created by Florida parents for Florida parents to focus on the unique needs of families with blind or visually impaired children, including those with other disabilities. This organization was established to help develop opportunities for families with similar challenges and experiences to network and share information and support.
PO Box
730265
Ormond Beach FL 32173-0265
(386) 677-7760 or (813) 926-0122 Website: www.ffcvi.org E-mail: ffcvi@yahoo.com
PEACE
(Parental Education & Encouragement for Autism in Children Everywhere)
Our mission is to educate, empower and
provide a positive support environment to families with
children on the Autism Spectrum. Website:
www.peacelakeland.com
Meetings are held the First Tuesday of each month from 6PM to 8PM at:
Family Fundamentals
1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd.,
2nd Floor
Lakeland, Florida 33805
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.
Bartow Office: 550 East Main St., Bartow, FL 33830. Phone: (813) 519-4563
Website: www.bethingram.com
New Tampa Behavioral Health, Inc. (NTBH)
NTBH is a behavioral healthcare agency committed to providing individualized and comprehensive home and community-based behavioral services designed to enhance growth and development and to improve family quality of life. 100% of services are provided in the child’s home or community environment, and are designed to both prevent challenging behaviors and to teach new skills. Services include consultation, behavioral assessment and intervention, person-centered planning, diagnostic evaluation (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders), parent education training, and continuing education training for community providers. For additional information, please contact Dr. Jonathan Worcester at (813) 382-2056 or NTBH@tampabay.rr.com. Website: www.NTBHonline.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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