Useful Links

This page will assist you in finding additional information related to several programs and services for persons with disabilities. Each of these web-sites offer links to articles of interest, describe new and innovative approaches in quality of care and many also offer training opportunities.

To learn more about Qlarant or to ask for specific information go to More About Qlarant.

Individual/Family Resources

Cerebral Palsy Guidance
CerebralPalsyGuidance.com is a comprehensive informational website on cerebral palsy. Their mission is one of providing quality cerebral palsy information and assistance to families in need.
cerebralpalsyguidance.com

Cerebral Palsy Guide
A national organization that helps families and individuals with cerebral palsy by providing educational materials. cerebralpalsyguide.com
Community for Accredited Online Schools
Community for Accredited Online Schools is a resource that provides prospective students and families with the tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their education.
accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/support-students-with-autism/
Disability Rights Florida (formerly the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities)
A non-profit organization providing protection and advocacy services in the state of Florida.
DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
Eldercare Locator
National directory assistance service helping older persons and caregivers locate local support and resources.
ElderCare.gov
Family Caregiver Alliance
Community based non profit organization offers support services for caregivers of adults with AD, stroke, traumatic brain injury and other cognitive disorders. This site also offers information in spanish.
Caregiver.org
Florida Developmental Disabilities Resources
The goal of this site is to provide reliable and accessible information to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to make informed, efficient, and effective service delivery decisions.
flddresources.qlarant.com
Florida Self-Advocates Network’D
The purpose of FL SAND is to support local grassroots development, expand the Florida Self-Advocacy Movement, provide a united voice for statewide issues and topics that are important to Florida Self-Advocates, create community awareness and promote inclusion for all.
flsand.org
Human Services Research Institute
Since 1976 the Human Services Research Institute has provided consultation and conducted research efforts at both the state and federal levels in the following focus areas: Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, Child and Family Services, Mental Health and Substance Use
Institute on Community Integration (ICI)
The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the University of Minnesota publishes a monthly update with publications, Web sites and other resources of the Institute. For further information, visit their Web site at
ici.umn.edu.
Parent to Parent USA (P2PUSA)
P2PUSA is a national non-profit organization committed to assuring access and quality in parent to parent support across the country.
p2pusa.org
The Family Cafe
A non-profit statewide organization that plans annual conferences for families and self-advocates.
FamilyCafe.net
Step Up For Students
Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organization that helps administer two scholarships for Florida schoolchildren: the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) for low-income families and the Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) for children with certain special needs.
stepupforstudents.org

Developmental Services (DS) Documents

The National Core Indicators is a collaboration among participating National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS) member state agencies and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), with the goal of developing a systematic approach to performance and outcome measurement.
https://www.hsri.org/about
Health and Human Services – Developmental Disabilities Program (MyFlorida.com)
This site contains Fact Sheets, Frequently Asked Questions, a Calendar of Events, Contact Information and other information pertaining to the Developmental Disabilities Program.
https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/programs-for-people-with-disabilities/index.html
Health and Human Services – About Florida Medicaid (MyFlorida.com)
Medicaid is the state and federal partnership that provides health coverage for selected categories of people with low incomes. Its purpose is to improve the health of people who might otherwise go without medical care for themselves and their children. You may find additional information about Florida’s Medicaid Program at
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1625

Provider Organizations

Family Care Council Florida
This site includes resources to support the advocacy, education and
empowerment of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
fccflorida.org
The ARC of the United States
This site includes “A Family Handbook, Future Planning” and Fact Sheets on the importance of Medicaid.
arcflorida.org
Yes I Can! Foundation for Exceptional Children
The Foundation for Exceptional Children is a national organization that strives to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities.
The Council on Quality and Leadership
The Council on Quality and Leadership is at the forefront of the movement to create opportunities for people to lead the lives they choose and to improve the quality of services and supports for people with disabilities and mental illness.
thecouncil.org
Florida Developmental Disability Council (FDDC)
The FDDC guides development and administration of services for people with developmental disabilities by planning and funding research, innovations, and programs to improve the quality of their lives.
fddc.org
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, JCAHO is the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Since 1951, JCAHO has developed state-of-the-art, professionally based standards and evaluated the compliance of health care organizations against these benchmarks.
jointcommission.org
The Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (Florida ARF)
Community agency group whose goal is making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
floridaarf.org

Government Agencies

MyFlorida.com (link to developmental disabilities program)
Provides a link to the Developmental Disabilities program which includes numerous updates to policy and procedures related to medicaid waiver services provided in Florida.
http://apd.myflorida.com
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
This site describes the Florida Medicaid program. It includes policies, procedures, updates and access to the Developmental Services Home & Community Based Waiver Handbook.
https://ahca.myflorida.com/
Economic Self Sufficiency
State office providing assistance to eligible families through food stamps, Medicaid and other financial assistance.
www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess