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Information & Resources for Duval County

 

[Scroll to bottom for Social Services & Support Groups]

 

Local Advocacy & Resource Organizations

 

The ARC of Jacksonville

The ARC of Brevard provides advocacy and quality services that enable people with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential, enhance their quality of life, and be active participants in their communities.

Downtown/ Administrative Offices:  

1050 N. Davis St., Jacksonville, FL 32209  (904) 355-0155 fax: (904) 355-9616

Westside:

4401 Westconnett Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210  (904) 573-2805 fax: (904) 573-2156

Arlington:

962 Arlington Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32211  (904) 724-2570 fax: (904) 724-0432
Website:  www.arcjacksonville.org

 

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)

University of Florida at Jacksonville
6026 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32217
(904) 306-0002; (904) 396-4718 (fax)
Web: http://www.card.ufl.edu

 

Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (DSAJ)

The Down Syndrome Association is a voluntary organization providing support, information, advocacy, and information to parents and others.  DSA sponsors a wide range of projects and activities including a newsletter, social and educational opportunities, quarterly meetings, conferences, and a parent networking system.  The Down Syndrome Association is the local sponsor of the Northeast Florida Partners for Inclusion, a parent advocacy group.

Mailing address: c/o ARC Jacksonville, 1050 N. Davis St., Jacksonville, FL 32209

(904) 353-6300  Website: www.dsaj.org

 

Duval County Public Schools ESE Department

(904) 390-2072    Website:  www.eseprograms.com

To refer school-age children, call the Exceptional Student Admissions Dept. at (904) 390-2077.  To refer children from birth to age five, contact Child Find/ FDLRS at (904) 348-7784.

 

Early Learning Coalition of Duval

The Duval Coalition exists to create a coordinated and integrated system for school readiness services to better prepare children for entry into kindergarten with an emphasis on literacy skills for children who may be at risk for future school failure.

6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Suite 102, Jacksonville, FL 32216. 

Phone: 904-208-2040   Website:  www.elcofduval.org

 

Epilepsy Foundation of Northeast Florida

(Serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties)

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeast Florida provides many programs and services including the following: referral to other resources by staff familiar with the challenges of living with epilepsy; holiday parties and other recreational activities; parent network; resource and lending library; summer camp for children with epilepsy; support groups.  Fees: Sliding scale; camp fees based on ability to pay and/or available funding.

5209 San Jose Blvd., Ste. 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207

(904) 731-3752    Website:  http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/local/florida/jacksonville.cfm

 

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 Crown

(Covers Clay, Duval, & Nassau Counties)

4030 Boulevard Center Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32207

(904) 348-7784 or (800) 586-9579  Website:  www.fdlrscrown.org

 

Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Florida (ILRC)

(Serves Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and  St. Johns counties)

The ILRC is a consumer driven, community based, non-residential, 501 (c) (3) private not-for-profit organization.   Living independently means having control over one's life and participating fully and productively in society.  The ILRC is an established community resource operated by people with disabilities with a strong record of responding to the needs of people with disabilities.  The Center, in keeping with the Independent Living Philosophy, is staffed and governed by a majority of people with disabilities.  All services are provided on a cross-disability basis.

2709 Art Museum Dr., Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 399-8484     Web: www.cilj.com

 

Jacksonville Children's Commission

Aiming for a more coordinated system of care from birth through adolescence, the Jacksonville (Florida) Children's Commission (JCC) is changing the way that it—and the community—views and serves families. JCC supports and coordinates city-wide children's services through grant-making, technical assistance, and professional development.

1095 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32206.  Phone: 904-630-3647

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Childrens+Commission/default.htm

 

The Jericho School

For children with autism and other developmental delays.  Provides comprehensive, individualized science-based education not otherwise available in our community. We believe those children with autism and other developmental delays deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential.  The school’s curriculum provides effective treatment and education programs to children and their families based on Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior.

www.thejerichoschool.org

 

Kayak Adventures

Paddling for persons with disabilities.  We have the paddling skills and technical knowledge to give you a safe and memorable experience. We carry adaptive equipment designed to make you fit in your boat comfortably. We offer individual and group services.

Contact:  Walter Bunso
904-249-6200  kayak_adventures@yahoo.com
www.kayakjacksonville.com or
 www.kayakadventuresllc.com/disable.htm

 

PACE Center For Girls, Inc.

Non-residential delinquency prevention program in 21 locations statewide, targeting the unique needs of females 12 to 18 who are identified as dependent, truant, runaway, ungovernable, delinquent, or in need of academic skills.  Its purpose is to intervene and prevent school withdrawal, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and welfare dependency. 

Thompson-Weaver Building, 2933 University Blvd. North, Jacksonville, FL 32211-3322
Phone: (904) 448-8002  Web:
www.pacecenter.org

 

Pine Castle

Pine Castle began as a school in 1952 to provide special education to children with developmental disabilities.  Today, Pine Castle provides services to over 400 adults with developmental disabilities each year.  Services provided include job preparation training, paid work opportunities, daily living skills, basic academic training, community outings, recreation and leisure activities and special services for seniors.

4911 Spring Park Road, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Phone: 733-2650  Web: www.pinecastle.org

 

Social Services

 

Child Care Financial Assistance

Through the Jacksonville Children's Commission.  The Children's Commission can help you with child care costs if you are working and/or attending school (full-time) and you meet the income requirements.  For more information call 904-630-3647 or go to: http://www.coj.net/Departments/Childrens+Commission/default.htm

 

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-Jacksonville

    (Covers Clay, Duval, Nassau, & St. Johns Counties)
   
910 North Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL  32209-6810
    (904) 360-7070 or (800) 340-8354
    Asst. Regional Medical Director: Thomas Chiu, M.D.
    Regional Nursing Director: Sharon Surrency, R.N.
    Regional Program Administrator: Cathy Keathley

 

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

 

    Northeastern Early Steps

    (Covers Clay, Duval, Nassau, & St. Johns Counties)

    910 North Jefferson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209                                              

    904-360-7022 ext. 272  Fax: 904-798-4545 or 4544

    Derek Jones – Director  e-mail: Derek_Jones@doh.state.fl.us

 

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army touches the lives of nearly one in eight people living right here on the First Coast. Serving those most in need means feeding the homeless, creating Christmas for children who might not receive a gift, and providing emergency food and shelter to individuals and families in crisis.

328 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32201. Mailing: 32202 P.O. Box 52508

Phone: 301-4875  Web: www.salvationarmyjax.org

 

Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders

Wolfson's Children's Hospital at Baptist Medical Center

807 Nira Street, Third Floor

Jacksonville, FL 32207  Phone: (904) 390-3768

 

The Sulzbacher Center

Homeless shelter which offers housing, case management, medical and dental care.  The HOPE Team focuses on unsheltered homeless persons with all types of disabilities and illnesses in need of immediate or emergency care due to a life-threatening injury and/or physical illness.

611 E. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. 

Phone: (904) 394-8090  Web: www.sulzbachercenter.org

 

United Way of Northeast Florida, Inc.

United Way brings people and resources together to create lasting, positive change. United Way's Community Fund supports programs that target Northeast Florida's most critical challenges: early childhood success, helping students achieve, and independence for seniors.

P.O. Box 41428, Jacksonville, FL 32203

(904) 390-3200    Website:  www.uwnefl.org

 

YMCA of Florida's First Coast

YMCAs serve the whole individual – spirit, mind and body – and the whole community, from infants to seniors. We bring together young and old, men and women, from all faiths and all backgrounds. In addition to great fitness facilities, we offer programs for children, teens, families and groups. From being America's largest provider of child care to offering corporate team building activities, the Y has a program for everyone!

12735 Gran Bay Parkway, Suite 250, Jacksonville, FL 32258
Phone: 296-3220    Web: www.firstcoastYMCA.org

 

Youth Crisis Center

Residential program which provides short-term shelter for kids in trouble.  Also provides other services including outpatient counseling for families and Special Needs Assistance Program.

24-hours a day contact-  call (904) 725-6662 or toll-free at 1-877-720-0007

3015 Parental Home Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216 Phone: 720-0002

 

Support Groups

 

American Lung Association of Florida

The American Lung Association of Florida provides critical programs and services designed to reach residents of all ages.  Some programs include: Better Breathers Club, Open Airways for Schools, Asthma Camps, and Freedom From Smoking programs. 

(904) 743-2933  or (800) 940-2933  Website: www.lungfla.org

 

Autism Society of Greater Jacksonville

The Autism Society of Greater Jacksonville Chapter seeks to SUPPORT, INFORM and EMPOWER individuals and families living with autism by providing a comprehensive referral service and website, support meetings, family to family connections, and workshops around the city of Jacksonville.

1526 University Blvd., West, #235, Jacksonville, FL 32217

(904) 343-1346  (904) 260-4565  E-mail:  autismsocietygjax@yahoo.com

 

CHADD of Duval County 

At Duval County CHADD we are committed to providing the most up to date information concerning services and treatments for ADHD children and their parents. We have monthly speakers and programs that are led by professionals who work with ADHD families in the community. Question and answer periods are held during each meeting.

 

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month except July from 7:00pm to 9:00 pm
at the Ronald McDonald House (across from Nemours Clinic) Jacksonville, FL.
Phone #: 904-994-0933 or 904-400-2629 (leave message)
Email contact for information: duvalchadd@bellsouth.net or e-mail Marty Clark: MARTYCLK@aol.com

 

Children's Home Society
Marty Clark
3027 San Diego Road
Jacksonville, FL 32210
(904) 493-7798; (904) 493-7749; (904) 348-2818 (fax)
Email: marty.clark@chsfl.org
ADHD Parent Support Group Every Wednesday at 5:30 - 8:00 Nemours Children's Clinic Jacksonville, FL. This is a weekly Parent Support Group to help family members get information, education and support on ADHD.

 

L.A.S.S.O. -Living with Asperger Syndrome Support Organization

This group is open to families of individuals with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, PDD-NOS, Semantic Pragmatic Disorder, and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and professionals who work with them. This group cannot accommodate the children.

Contact:  Amy Garrett at 904-874-9187

 

PFLAG Jacksonville

Promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.  Meetings are the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
They are held at Christ Church of Peace at 1240 McDuff Ave South in the Riverside area.
Contact:  pflagjax@aol.com  Phone:  (904) 737-3329

www.pflagjax.org  National site:  www.pflag.org

 

 

* If you know of a support group or resource in Duval County not listed here,

please e-mail our Resource Coordinator at candace@cflparents.org.


 

Parent Training & Information Center:

Central Florida Parent Center / AWARE Project

Milagros Pou, Diane Joslin, or Eileen Gilley

Home Office - (888) 612-9273

Northeast Florida Office:

Jill Fane (904) 353-5412


 

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