Office of Programs and Re-Entry
FDC's central office for in-prison programming and release planning. It also maintains the searchable Re-Entry Resource directory of community providers by county, city, judicial circuit or zip code, which people leaving state prison can use to find transition services.
Extended Foster Care and Aftercare Services
Florida lets young people stay in foster care until 21 and offers Aftercare to anyone who turned 18 in DCF custody, with help available until the 23rd birthday. Aftercare covers mentoring, mental health and substance use support, life-skills and parenting classes, job training and temporary financial aid; a separate tuition exemption runs through age 28 and Medicaid through 26.
Florida's Independent Living Resource Center
Free statewide information-and-referral clearinghouse for current and former foster youth, run by Daniel Kids in Jacksonville. Staff answer questions about Extended Foster Care, PESS, Aftercare, Keys to Independence and other transition benefits and point youth to the right local contact.
Refugee Resettlement and Employment Programs
Reception and placement for newly arrived refugees, community-resource help for Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Match Grant job search, employment coaching and placement for refugees, entrants and asylees. Adult clients are referred through Migration and Refugee Services and the USCCB.
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Issues certified copies of Florida birth certificates by mail, online through VitalChek, or at the walk-in office in Jacksonville. A computer-generated certificate costs $9 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy; county health departments can also issue records from 1917 forward.
Florida Driver License and ID Cards
FLHSMV's Division of Motorist Services issues Florida ID cards and driver licenses at service centers across the state; some take walk-ins and others require appointments. Renewals and replacements can be handled online through the MyDMV Portal.
211 Tampa Bay Cares (First Contact)
Round-the-clock information and referral for the Tampa Bay region, including a Homeless Helpline, a sexual assault services line, emergency financial assistance for adults and the 988 crisis line. Call, text your ZIP code, or chat online.
Camillus House
Miami's long-running provider for people who are poor and homeless, with an overnight shelter on NW 7th Avenue and Camillus Health on NW 5th Street. Serving South Florida since 1960.
Lotus House Women's Shelter
Shelter for women, youth and children experiencing homelessness in Miami, with meals, therapy, education and employment help on site. Youth and domestic violence survivors can contact Lotus House directly; everyone else is asked to go through the Miami Homeless Program first.
Metropolitan Ministries
Tampa Bay nonprofit serving poor and homeless families and individuals in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas with emergency family shelter, a food market, rent and utility help and job training. Its Metro BrigAIDe mobile outreach team helps with IDs, SNAP and Medicaid applications and housing assessments at more than 20 sites.
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Low-barrier residential shelter in downtown Orlando serving about 500 men, women and children a day, with free meals, Housing First case management and a diversion program that helps people find housing outside the shelter system.
Sulzbacher Center
Jacksonville's largest provider of homeless services, with men's housing downtown on East Adams Street and women's and family housing at Sulzbacher Village in Springfield. Offers street outreach, daily meals, emergency and permanent housing, the Duval Family Health Center, veteran services and job placement.
Ready4Work
Jacksonville reentry program with a 4-to-6-week career development course, case management, life coaching, job placement, a JTA bus pass for class days, interview clothing and a year of follow-up support. Open to adults with non-violent, non-sexual charges in Duval, Clay, St. Johns or Nassau County.
Selah Freedom
Florida-based anti-trafficking organization serving survivors of sex trafficking through street and jail outreach, a sex trade support group, case management, mentorship, a prostitution court diversion program and residential housing with wrap-around services.
Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR)
The state's NARR affiliate, which certifies sober living and recovery residences under Florida Statute 397.487. Its online provider list is the place to check whether a recovery residence is certified, and it accepts grievances about residences that fall short of standards.
Legal Services of Greater Miami
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties on housing, benefits and other barriers to economic stability. Phone intake runs four afternoons a week; walk-in intake is Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Harbor House of Central Florida
Certified domestic violence center for the Orlando area with a 24-hour confidential crisis hotline, emergency shelter, help pursuing justice and healing services. The R3 app helps people assess whether a relationship is abusive and where to turn.
The Spring of Tampa Bay
Hillsborough County's certified domestic violence center, offering a 24-hour hotline that takes calls and texts, emergency shelter, legal services, therapy and supportive services for survivors. A separate 24-hour TTY line serves Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline
Statewide trilingual crisis line run through DCF that connects callers to one of Florida's certified domestic violence centers for shelter and immediate services. Advocates also provide safety planning and emotional support at any hour.
MyACCESS Public Benefits
Florida's single application for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance and the Refugee Services Program. The MyACCESS self-service portal is open around the clock; a customer call center handles questions and case changes.
National lines that work in Florida
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.