APD - APD Cares
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities
(APD) supports persons with developmental
disabilities in living, learning, and working in
their communities. APD works in partnership
with local communities and private providers
to assist people who have developmental disabilities
and their families. Register with APD
as soon as possible! It can take years to get services
but you’ll be glad you did not delay.
apd.myflorida.com
Crisis Care, Support Groups & Local
Resources
In moments of urgent need or if you want to
connect with the many local support groups
or resources that best suit your particular
needs, the following resources may offer
support: 211 Help Me Grow, Abuse Hotline,
ACCESS Florida Food Stamps, Children’s
Home Society, Brevard C.A.R.E.S, Family
Care Council fccflorida.org, Central
Florida Brain Injury Group, Down Syndrome
Foundation, Epilepsy Association of Central
Florida, Spina Bifida Association of Central
Florida Brevard Resource Guide (https://
nbbd.com/disabilities/1807-Brevard-Special
Needs-Resource-Guide.pdf)
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and
Technology (FAAST)
Serves Floridians with disabilities by provid-
ing free access to information, referral servic-
es, educational programs, and publications in
accessible formats on topics such as disability
rights, laws, and policies. They also provide
assistive technology (AT) device loans as well
as funding opportunities for AT. faast.org
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
This service was established to help plan
individual and family-centered supports
for persons with disabilities in Florida. The
Council also guides the development and
administration of services for people with
developmental disabilities by planning and
funding research, innovations, and programs
designed to improve the quality of their lives.
fddc.org
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources
System (FDLRS)
A statewide organization providing diagnostic,
instructional, and technology support
services to district exceptional education programs
and families of students with disabilities.
Service centers include 19 centers that
directly serve school districts in the areas of
Child Find, Parent Services, Human Resource
Development (HRD), and Technology. In
addition, the FDLRS Network also includes
6 Multi-disciplinary Centers who focus on
in-depth evaluations and several statewide
projects offering specialized services. fdlrs.org
Florida Inclusion Network (FIN)
Provides customized services and supports
ensuring all students with disabilities have the
same educational, social, and future opportu-
nities as their peers.
floridainclusionnetwork.com/
Grants and Funding Sources
When you need financial assistance to meet
the needs for your child, consider these sources:
Down Syndrome Foundation, Autism
Care Today (act-today.org/apply-for-grant),
Autism Speaks, and MyChoicesinEdFL.org.
8 www.BrightFeats.com
/apd.myflorida.com
/fccflorida.org
/faast.org
/fddc.org
/fdlrs.org
/floridainclusionnetwork.com
/apply-for-grant)
/MyChoicesinEdFL.org
/www.BrightFeats.com