FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES
District Six
Developmental Services Program

Purpose

The mission of the Developmental Services Program Office, Florida Department of Children and Families, is to promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to be a part of and participate in the same valued experiences and life events as do other citizens of Florida, through individually determined levels of supports and services, provided in a manner that protects the individual's dignity and worth, while enhancing capability for self-determination.

The major initiatives of the Developmental Services Program include:

• support to families
• coordination with special education and local education agencies
• community-based employment opportunities including supported employment
• increasing the use of small homes with a corresponding reduction in congregate living facilities
• improved case management, staff training, information management, and quality assurance to enhance the
effectiveness of seivices.

Eligibility

Eligible clients include those individuals age 3 years and above, diagnosed as having one or more of the following categorical developmental disabilities (occurring prior to age 18) which can reasonably be expected to last a lifetime:

   mental retardation •  autism • spina bifida •  cerebral palsy  • prader-willi

Children ages three to five with medical, biological, psychological, psychosocial, and/or environmental factors which
significantly increase the likelihood of developmental disability are eligible to receive a variety of early intervention services and are served under the category of high risk.

Services/Options

Programs for persons with developmental disabilities include:

• Community-based support services offered in each of the districts
• Programs at four major institutions, including:
Sunland Center at Marianna, Takachale Center at Gainesville, Gulf
Coast Center at Ft. Myers, and Landmark Learning Center at Miami
• Specialized programs which include:
            Mentally Retarded Defendant Program at Chattahoochee in the Florida State Hospital,
            Alachua Retarded Defendant Center/Sunland Center at Gainesville,
            Alachua County A.R.C. Residential Program for individuals who have Prader Willi Syndrome.

District VI Developmental Services Locations:

District Program Office:
813/554-2220 SunCom 542-2220
4000 Dr. Mt King Jr. Blvd. W, Suite 438
Tampa, FL 33614-9990

Hilisborough County Field Office:
813/871-7490 SunCom 542-7490
Toll Free 800/741-8687
4000 Or. M L King Jr. Blvd. W, Suite 170
Tampa, FL 33614-7093

Manatee County Field Office:
941/741-3127 SunCom 599-3127
30313th Ave F
Bradenton, FL 34208

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