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

Is help available in Spanish in Hillsborough County?

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

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

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

APD Suncoast Region, Agency for Persons with Disabilities — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Hillsborough County is APD's Suncoast Region. Contact: 1-866-273-2273 (APD CARES) · Suncoast Region · apd.myflorida.com.
Self Reliance, Inc., Center for Independent Living — Hillsborough County's Center for Independent Living (Tampa): independent-living skills, peer support, durable medical equipment, benefits advocacy, and youth t… Contact: 813-375-3965 · self-reliance.org.
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, 211 (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 helpline for Hillsborough County: emotional support, suicide prevention, crisis counseling, and connection to over 3,000 community reso… Contact: 211 · 813-234-1234 · 24/7 · crisiscenter.com.
Senior Connection Center (Area Agency on Aging) — The Area Agency on Aging and Elder Helpline for Hillsborough County: information and assistance, benefits and caregiver support, in-home services, and connecti… Contact: 813-740-3888 · 800-963-5337 · seniorconnectioncenter.org.
NAMI Hillsborough — Local NAMI affiliate: free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, and navigation. Contact: 813-368-0813 · namihillsborough.org.
USF CARD (University of South Florida), free autism support — Free, university-based Center for Autism & Related Disabilities. Contact: 813-974-2532 · card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu.
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 Hillsborough County directory on this page lists 13 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.