Who do I call first for disability services in Alachua County, Florida?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and Florida vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for Alachua County.

Is help available in Spanish in Alachua County?

Yes. This Alachua County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most Florida agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Alachua County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in Alachua County, Florida

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Alachua County, Florida. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in Alachua County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in Alachua County

APD Northeast Region, Agency for Persons with Disabilities — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Alachua County is APD's Northeast Region. Contact: 1-866-273-2273 (APD CARES) · Northeast Region · apd.myflorida.com.
UF CARD, Gainesville (University of Florida), free autism support — Free, university-based Center for Autism & Related Disabilities. Contact: 352-265-2230 · 800-928-8476 · card.ufl.edu.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Alachua County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for Alachua County residents through the 988 Florida Lifeline, managed by the … Contact: 988 · 211 · 24/7.
Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida — Center for Independent Living serving Alachua County: independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, assistive technology, and youth t… Contact: 352-378-7474 · cilncf.org.
2-1-1 Florida — Free, confidential information and referral to health and human services across Florida, Early Steps, APD, Medicaid, aging services, and more. Contact: Dial 2-1-1 · 211.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
APD, Apply & the iBudget Waiting List (APD CARES) — Statewide intake for APD. Contact: 1-866-273-2273 (1-866-APD-CARES).
Florida Early Steps — Statewide early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities: free evaluation and therapy. Contact: 1-800-218-0001.
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job: counseling, training, assistive technology, job placement, and Pre-ETS for students. Contact: 800-451-4327 · rehabworks.org.
Disability Rights Florida — Florida's federally designated protection and advocacy agency. Contact: 800-342-0823 · disabilityrightsflorida.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Alachua County directory on this page lists 10 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more Florida disability resources or browse other counties from the Florida portal.