Who do I call first for disability services in Broward 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 Broward County.

Is help available in Spanish in Broward County?

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

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Broward 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 Broward County, Florida

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Broward 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 Broward 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 Broward County

APD Southeast Region, Agency for Persons with Disabilities — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Broward County is APD's Southeast Region. Contact: 1-866-273-2273 (APD CARES) · Southeast Region · apd.myflorida.com.
Center for Independent Living of Broward — Broward County's Center for Independent Living: independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, and youth transition for people with al… Contact: 954-722-6400 · 888-722-6400 · cilbroward.org.
Arc Broward — Broward County provider for people with developmental disabilities and life challenges since 1956: adult day programs, employment training, therapy, and reside… Contact: 954-746-9400 · arcbroward.com.
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Broward (Area Agency on Aging) — The Area Agency on Aging and Elder Helpline for Broward County: information and assistance (English, Spanish, Creole), benefits and caregiver support, in-home … Contact: 954-745-9779 · 800-963-5337 · adrcbroward.org.
NAMI Broward County — Local NAMI affiliate: free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, and navigation. Contact: 954-316-9907 · namibroward.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Broward County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for Broward County residents through the 988 Florida Lifeline, managed by the … Contact: 988 · 211 · 24/7.
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.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Broward County directory on this page lists 12 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.