COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES
Dependents with Down Syndrome - Tampa Resources
Resources for Self-Identified Obesity Concerns
Resources for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries
Youth (0-Out of HS) Development, Intervention & Prevention Resources
Resources for Adults with Special Needs (Or Transitioning Adults)
Resources for Medical Care & Tricare Case Managment Resources
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI): Free Support 24/7. Text "NAMI" to 741741
Operation Autism: A Resource Guide for Military Families
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters: Click here for contact info
Call (800) 985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
Coping tips for traumatic events/disasters
The ARC: Promotes and protects the human right of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, along with providing resources and support: thearc.org
FEDERAL & STATE RESOURCES
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (Florida): Florida Agency for persons with disabilities: APD offers a wide range of social, medical, residential and behavioral services.
Florida ADA State Resource Network
Medicaid A federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.
MILITARY RESOURCES
Air Force Aid Society Special Needs Assistance Grant:
The purpose is to assist eligible Airmen/Guardians who are faced with increased financial requirements due to costs associated with having dependents with special needs. ELIGIBILITY: Active duty, Active Guard Reserve (AGR), Guard/Reserve on an Initial or Continuation Full-Time order and Traditional Guard/Reserve on a long-term order who have dependents enrolled in the Air Force’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). See additional information HERE and apply at afas.org.
MacDill AFB JAG can prepare EMFP Families to Advocate and assist EFMP parents in preparing for a hearing on behalf of their child. Though JAGs may not represent EFMP families in court, attorneys may help prepare the parent to zealously advocate for their child at the hearing.
Additionally, JAGs can provide appropriate references such as the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project and Florida’s GI LAW program, which in certain legal scenarios, accepts referrals for clients E-6 and below for special needs trusts, guardianship petitions, and education law.
enterpriseflorida.com/floridadefense/lawyers-assisting-warriors/
Special Needs Alliance: specialneedsalliance.org/
Employee Assistance Program
For DoD civilian employees. Call (800) 222-0364 ((888) 262-7848 TTY), or visit EAP or Worklife4you (use code "USAF")
EFMP & Me Is here to help you effectively navigate through the Department of Defense’s network of services and support for families with special needs.
Emergency Financial Assistance Relief Societies:
- Air Force: afas.org
- Army: armyemergencyrelief.org
- Federal Civilian: feea.org
- Navy & Marine: nmcrs.org
Military OneSource: Offers a wide range of individualized consultations, coaching and non-medical counseling for many aspects of military life wherever you are, worldwide. (800) 342-9647; militaryonesource.mil
Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC):
Support for service members, families and survivors with non-medical face-to-face counseling on and off installation. (813) 816-3061 or (813) 210-7822
National Resource Directory:
Still not finding what you're looking for? Try nrd.gov
Sesame Street for Military Families: Website assists military families and their young children cope with the challenges of deployment and build resilience in times of separation and change: sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO): Provides financial assistance to beneficiaries with special needs for an integrated set of services and supplies: tricare.mil/echo