Special Needs and Homeless Programs

Services for Homeless or Displaced Families & Children

Families and children who are homeless or displaced have unique challenges when it comes to finding affordable child care and other services. The Jacksonville Children's Commission supports programs that provide child care tuition assistance, case management and other services to children and families in these challenging circumstances. The Commission also supports a transition program that provides guidance for homeless youth and children aging out of foster care.

Early Childhood Developmental Services for Homeless Children
Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless
611 E. Adams St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 359-0457
www.sulzbachercenter.org
Homeless children often experience extreme trauma and stress, regardless of their age. This program provides developmental screening and links to counseling, health and dental services for homeless children. One-on-one and group parenting classes are also offered to give parents the tools to insulate their children against the traumas of homelessness.

Child Care Assistance for Homeless Students
Jacksonville Children's Commission
1095 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32206
(904) 630-3647
www.JaxKids.net
Parents residing at an emergency shelter location (Sulzbacher Center, Hubbard House, Community Connections, etc.) with a referral from the shelter agency are eligible for child care tuition assistance for up to 45 days.

Case Management for Homeless Students
Communities In Schools of Jacksonville
3100 University Blvd. S., Ste. 300
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 354-5918
www.cisjax.org
Case managers provide referrals and care for children in Duval County Schools who are homeless or living in emergency shelters, with the goal of keeping children on track and in school.

Project Prepare
daniel
1526 Parental Home Road
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 722-0684
www.danielkids.org
Homeless youth or those that are aging out of foster care need transition services to stay in school, find employment and learn life skills. Project Prepare is a supportive housing program that provides apartment living and adult guidance for transitional youth ages 16-21.

Services for Children with Special Needs

Families of children with physical or developmental disabilities may experience difficulty finding child care, therapy or afterschool programs that meet their child's special needs. The Jacksonville Children's Commission supports programs that specifically address the needs of these families and children; child care assistance and respite care are also available.

DLC Nurse and Learn
4101-1 College St.
Jacksonville, FL 32205
(904) 387-0370
www.dlcnl.org
At DLC (Developmental Learning Centers) Nurse and Learn, nurses and therapists provide early learning and afterschool programs for children birth to 21 who have complex developmental and physical disabilities.

DLC Therapy and Care
2270 Blanding Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32210
(904) 389-5402
www.dlcnl.org
At DLC (Developmental Learning Centers) Therapy and Care, nurses and therapists provide afterschool programs for children ages 5-21 who have complex developmental and physical disabilities.

Hope Haven BASICS
4600 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 346-5100
www.hope-haven.org
The BASICS (Building Adaptable Skills and Increasing Capacity for Self-sufficiency) program offers youth and young adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities a safe and productive afterschool environment. The program models positive youth development, teaching students about goal setting, appropriate social interactions and communication, health and hygiene, nutrition and cooking, money and time management, personal safety, leisure pursuits and independent living skills. The program operates every day that Duval County schools are in session, and spring break, winter break and non-school holiday sessions are also offered.

New Heights of Northeast Florida — Developmental Services
3311 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 396-1462
www.cpnef.org
This program provides developmental, speech, physical, and occupational therapies for children with developmental disabilities. Services are provided in the child's home, at a community child care location, or at the agency. Respite care is also provided by trained caregivers so the child's parents or primary caregiver can take a temporary break to attend to personal or business needs.

Additional Resources

• Center for Autistic and Related Disabilities (CARD) (904) 737-6300
• Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (904) 353-6300
• Jacksonville Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (904) 737-9624

United Way 2-1-1

Information for Professional Child Care Workers and Family Child Care Homes
The Jacksonville Children's Commission offers inclusion services to all Duval County child care centers and family child care homes, free of charge. Our inclusion specialists are here to give you support, technical assistance, and various training opportunities as you welcome children with special needs into your program.

For more information, please call:

• Duval County Inclusion Warm Line - (904) 630-7914
• Florida's Central Directory - (800) 654-4440