Who do I call first for disability services in Miami Dade 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 Miami Dade County.

Is help available in Spanish in Miami Dade County?

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

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

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

APD Southern Region, Agency for Persons with Disabilities — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Miami-Dade County is APD's Southern Region. Contact: 1-866-273-2273 (APD CARES) · Southern Region · apd.myflorida.com.
Center for Independent Living of South Florida (CILSF) — Miami-Dade's Center for Independent Living: independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, and youth transition for people with all di… Contact: 305-751-8025 · cilsf.org.
United Community Options of South Florida (UCP) — Longtime Miami-Dade provider for infants, children, and adults with developmental disabilities: early therapy, adult day training, employment, and family suppo… Contact: 305-325-1080 · ucpsouthflorida.org.
Alliance for Aging, Elder Helpline (Area Agency on Aging) — The Area Agency on Aging for Miami-Dade & Monroe: information and assistance, benefits and caregiver support, in-home services, and connection to aging and dis… Contact: 305-670-4357 · 800-963-5337 · allianceforaging.org.
NAMI Miami-Dade County — Local NAMI affiliate: free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, and navigation. Contact: 305-665-2540 · namimiami.org.
University of Miami CARD (UM-CARD), free autism support — Free, university-based Center for Autism & Related Disabilities. Contact: 305-284-6563 · 800-928-8476 · umcard.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Miami Dade County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for Miami Dade County residents through the 988 Florida Lifeline, managed by t… 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).

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Miami Dade 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.