Local Resources
Early Learning Coalition across the state of Florida serve as a “one-stop shop” for parents of young children by connecting them to the care they need for their child, providing parenting support and education, and connecting them to additional community resources and services as needed.
Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida serves the children and families of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties.
http://www.elcofnwflorida.org/index.php?q=families
Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend
The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend serves the children and families of Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison counties.
http://www.elcbigbend.org/Parents
Children’s Medical Services
Children’s Medical Services (CMS) is a collection of programs that serve children with special health care needs. Each program provides family-centered care using statewide networks of specially qualified doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. For more information on Children’s Medical Services, please visit www.cms-kids.com.
Early Steps
Early Steps, within Children’s Medical Services, serves families with infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months of age, who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay. Each child receives an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) that meets his or her needs. Families and caregivers also receive support to develop the skills and confidence they need to help their children learn and develop. For more information, visit www.cms_kids.com/families/early_steps/early_steps.html
Whole Child Leon
Whole Child Leon was launched in 2004 and has been successful in building strong partnerships across the community. Its focus has been on changing community attitudes about children’s well-being and ensuring greater cohesiveness among the work of the service providers whose programs target young children and their families. To find out what Whole Child Leon can do for you go to http://www.wholechildproject.org/For-Families.
Leon County Health Department
Leon County Health department offers a wide variety of services ranging from clinical and nutritional services, immunizations, dental care, wellness programs, and infectious disease control. For further information and locations, visit http://leon.floridahealth.gov/.
Bond Health Clinic
Bond Community Health Center, Inc. (Bond CHC; the Center) is a 501(c)(3) community health center deemed as a Federally Qualified Health Center for greater than 30 years. Bond provides a patient-centered approach to quality primary and preventive healthcare services for residents of Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Franklin, Liberty, and Madison counties. Visit http://www.bondchc.com/
Franklin County Health Department
The Franklin County Health department offers a wide variety of services ranging from clinical and nutritional services, immunizations, dental care, wellness programs, and infectious disease control. For further information and locations, visit http://myfcph.org/.
Jefferson County Public Health Department
The Jefferson County Public Health Department offers a wide variety of services ranging from clinical and nutritional services, immunizations, dental care, wellness programs and infectious disease control. For further information and locations, visit http://jefferson.floridahealth.gov/.
Leon County Adult Education Center (ACE)
ACE is the largest provider of GED® classes in Leon County and accepts students at all academic levels. Our classes are designed to take students wherever they are academically and help them get where they want to be. Visit http://www.ace-leon.org
Tallahassee Community College Adult Education
Tallahassee Community College Adult Education delivers GED preparation and testing, English language instruction, career counseling, and TCC student benefits to facilitate transition into postsecondary education, technical programs, and the workforce. Tallahassee Community College Adult Education delivers GED preparation and testing, English language instruction, career counseling, and TCC student benefits to facilitate transition into postsecondary education, technical programs, and the workforce.
http://www.tcc.fl.edu/
Tallahassee Housing Authority
The Tallahassee Housing Authority is a program designed to help individuals and families with low-income find affordable housing. For additional information visit http://tallha.org/.
Franklin County Housing Assistance
To locate affordable housing in Franklin county visit http://www.gosection8.com/ for a list o properties that are available for rent under section 8.
Jefferson County Housing Authority
To find housing assistance in Jefferson County visit http://www.jeffersoncountyfl.gov/p/county-departments/grants-administrator.
Tallahassee Homeless Shelters & Services for the Needy
Tallahassee Homeless Shelters & Services for the Needy provides information regarding homeless shelters and other resources such as transitional resources for the homeless. In addition information regarding homeless clinic and treatment center resources is also provided on the website.
http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Tallahassee&state=FL
Star Metro
Star Metro provides bus services in Tallahassee and Leon county. For a complete list of routes and cost visit https://www.talgov.com/starmetro/starmetrohome.aspx.
Cooperative Extension Service
The Cooperative Extension Service conducts research-based educational programs in Agriculture, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, marine interest, and 4-H Youth Development.
For information regarding programs in Leon county visit http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/.
For information regarding programs in Jefferson county visit http://jefferson.ifas.ufl.edu/.
For information regarding programs in Franklin county visit http://franklin.ifas.ufl.edu/.
State Resources
Florida Department of Children & Families provides information for parents regarding what to look for when selecting a child care facility as well as what to expect from your providers.
http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/parent-resources
Child Care Licensing
Families can follow this link to access licensing documents any licensed child care facility in the state of Florida. You can review inspection reports and vital information regarding the provider and their history of rules and regulations compliance.
http://dcfsanswrite.state.fl.us/Childcare/provider/
Child Abuse Reporting
Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. If you find yourself in a situation where you have witnessed an incident or for any reason suspect that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect you need to report it. You can do so by calling 1-800-962-2873 or simply click on the link below and complete an on-line report.
https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us/
ACCESS Florida
Individuals who need to apply for food, medical assistance, and cash through ACCESS Florida can apply on line at http://www.myflfamilies.com/
Florida KidCare
The state of Florida offers health insurance for children from birth through age 18 through Florida KidCare. Fees are on a sliding scale fee based on family income. Apply online to see if you qualify for insurance for your child.
http://floridakidcare.org/
Florida Poison Information Center Network
The Florida Poison Information Center Network (FPICN) is dedicated to providing emergency services 24 hours a day to the citizens of Florida by offering poison prevention and management information through the use of a nationwide, toll-free hotline (1-800-222-1222) accessible by voice and TTY. Individuals can also access information regarding poison control at http://www.fpicn.org.
Florida Head Start State Collaboration
The Florida Head Start State Collaboration Office (FHSSCO) is a federally funded office with the specific purpose of supporting and improving collaboration between Head Start and other providers of educational, medical, and social services in Florida.
http://floridaheadstart.org/
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The mission of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) is to create a violence-free world by empowering women and children through the elimination of personal and institutional violence and oppression against all people. FCADV provides leadership, advocacy, education, training, technical assistance, public policy and development, and support to domestic violence center programs. To find a center near you visit http://www.fcadv.org/
Federal Resources
Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is a one-stop site for all information concerning Head Start. Visitors can access everything from Head Start Performance Standards to training videos for early childhood educators and parents.
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslchttp://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff, and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States. Since 1974, NHSA has worked diligently for policy changes that ensure all at-risk children have access to the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family, and the community.
http://www.nhsa.org/
MyMoney.com
MyMoney.gov is a product of the congressionally chartered Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission. The site is designed to strengthen financial capability and increase access to financial services for all Americans.
http://www.mymoney.gov/
Understood for Attention and Learning Issues
Does your child have difficulties with focusing and mastering new skills? Help your child thrive. Chat with experts, connect with parents and get tips on parenting kids with reading, writing, math, organization, attention issues and more. For information visit www.understood.org.
Empowering Parents
If you want to change your child’s behavior—and you want to learn some real parenting techniques that work. The website has content-rich articles, expert advice, podcasts, an active blogging community and parenting programs. Visit http://www.empoweringparents.com/ for additional tips and advice.
