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Community Resources
Below, you will find varying FL statewide and SWFL community resources to support your child's learning. These resources are aimed at PK-5 elementary school children and their families but may be useful for individuals with disabilities of any age. The descriptions for each community resource are directly from the source.
Division of Early Learning (FLDOE)
As part of the Florida Department of Education, the Division of Early Learning dedicates its people, time, and energy to ensuring access, affordability, and quality of early learning services for the state’s children and families. Home to more than one million children under age 5, Florida welcomes nearly 600 newborns every day. As many as 700,000 Florida children attend some type of early learning program. We support these children, their families, and the child care providers who serve them, through the administration of 30 early learning coalitions across the state.
The Head Start Advantage:
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System, Island Coast (FDLRS)
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a discretionary project of the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Bureau of Exceptional Student Education (BESE). FDLRS Island Coast serves both Lee and Collier counties.
The four central functions of each FDLRS Associate Center are Child Find, Parent Services, Human Resource Development, and Technology. FDLRS collaborates with districts, agency and support personnel, communities, families, and other educational personnel providing support services for educators, parents, school administrators, and students with exceptionalities.
Family Initiative
Family Initiative's Mission:
To Families:
We believe that families come first. Last. And always. We work to develop an individualized plan to celebrate a child’s abilities and help them advance. We believe that we can best serve your child by using a multi-disciplinary approach to promote growth and ensure they thrive.
To The Community:
Family Initiative, Inc. is committed to engaging in community partnerships to empower families and ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. Utilizing a family-centered and holistic approach, we maintain transparency in collaborating with all we serve.
Florida Department of Health, Programs and Services for Infants, Children, & Adolescents
The Florida Department of Health offers a wide-ranging variety of community supports for children and their families. There are universal supports, as well as disability-specific resources.
Here are direct links to a few programs that may be beneficial to your family:
Parent Support Network (PSN)
This is a Family Network on Disabilities program that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), is the Parent Training Information (PTI) center for the following counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Sumter.
PTI services help to ensure that parents of children with a full range of disabilities have the training and information they need to prepare their children for not only school but to be able to lead productive, independent lives to the fullest extent possible.
The Early Learning Coalition of SWFL
The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL is to enhance the quality of children’s lives by providing families, early childhood educators, caregivers, and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future.
Children & Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) of Lee County, #613
CHADD provides information and support to parents of children and adults with attention deficits, educators, and other interested professionals.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
The APD works with local organizations and private providers to support people who have developmental disabilities and their families in living, learning, and working in their communities. APD identifies the service needs of people with developmental disabilities, and those individuals may receive social, medical, behavioral, residential, and/or therapeutic services.
Lee County Parks & Recreation, Special Needs Program
Special Needs/Inclusion programs are being offered throughout the year for individuals with various disabilities. Programs such as Summer Camp, Spring Break Camp, and Fun Days are for school-age participants. The Social Club and Variety are for adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. There are always inclusion opportunities in the various community recreation facilities as well.
GiGi's Playhouse, Down Syndrome Achievement Center
GiGi's Playhouse is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center that aims to "change lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, through a replicable playhouse model."
We Rock the Spectrum, Gym for ALL Kids
We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive sensory gym that has:
Suspended equipment with swings – for balance and vestibular treatment
Crash mats and crash pillows – for fun, motor planning, and strength
Zipline – for stress release and joint and body relaxation
Trampoline – for building leg and core strength
Indoor play structure – for climbing and increasing playground skills
Sensory-based toys – for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area – for improved hand-eye coordination
WRTS also offers classes, services, resources, a blog, party hosting, a shop, & more!
Pediatric Behavioral Health, Lee Health
Lee Physician Group's Pediatric Behavioral Health specializes in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral conditions affecting children and adolescents from ages 5 to 21. We empower children and teens and give them with tools they need to face daily challenges.
Conditions & Treatments:
Anxiety
Adjustment disorders
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Behavioral disorders
Depression
Mood disorders
Psychopharmacology
One-on-one therapy
Family therapy
Social skills therapy
Habit reversal therapy
Exposure/response prevention therapy
Pediatric psychiatry and pediatric psychology
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT therapy)
SalusCare Florida, Youth Services
SalusCare’s Children’s Therapy Services offers Outpatient Therapy and Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services (TBOS) provided by clinicians who specialize in the treatment of children and adolescents. Services offered include assessments, individual, family and group therapy on at least a weekly basis. CTS clinicians will collaborate with your child’s other providers (psychiatrist, case manager, school, etc.), creating a team approach to treatment.
Florida's Assistive Technology Program (FAAST, Inc)
FAAST, Inc is the State of Florida’s number one resource for assistive technology (AT). They provide AT Services to Floridians such as:
Information & Assistance
AT Training
AT Demonstrations
AT Device Loans
and More!
Check out their Lending Library!
ACCESS Project
The ACCESS Project provides resources that facilitate the teaching and learning of access points. Here, you can learn more about what Florida Standards Access Points are, as well as explore resources, webinars, research, and more. This information is geared towards educators but can be very useful to families of children on alternate assessment.
Special Olympics, Florida
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship.
Special Equestrians, Inc.
Special Equestrians, Inc. is a therapeutic riding center offering equine-assisted activities and therapies in Fort Myers, Florida. Our nonprofit agency serves children and adults with disabilities in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties of Southwest Florida. We are accredited with PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) at the Premier level.
Alliance for the Arts, Inclusive Classes
The Alliance for the Arts offers inclusive classes and camps for students with disabilities. There are varying opportunities throughout the year- check them out today!
Current offerings:
Musical Theatre Camp for Young Artists with Autism
ArtPlay: Visual Arts for Artists with Autism – Onsite Class
The Freedom Waters Foundation
The mission of the Freedom Waters Foundation is to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs and veterans through providing therapeutic boat experiences.
Provide marine-based, social, environmental programs for unique individuals, their families, and friends through direct service and community partnerships.
To work collaboratively in this effort with the boating public, marine industry, and philanthropic resources
To offer opportunities that result in feelings of independence, self-worth, and accomplishment.
To build a greater sense of community, understanding, and tolerance through sharing individual uniqueness.
The Naples Players, Inclusive Classes
The Naples Players is dedicated to providing high-quality arts access to every member of our community – including those with additional needs. These low-cost programs are made possible by a grant from Suncoast Credit Union:
Students will learn teamwork, patience, sensory awareness, and communication through emotion-oriented, confidence-building theatre games.
Come play in a space that is free of judgment or fear of failure, making it an ideal environment for people who struggle with anxiety or physical impairment.