Need Help? Here’s who you can call:

General Resources (Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.)

The State of Florida has developed a comprehensive website to link families to information and services such as Food Stamps, Medicaid, Abuse Reporting, etc. Check this out! http://www. myflorida.com/accessflorida/

Children's Health Insurance

Don’t forget! No child should be without health insurance! Apply now for Florida KidCare at http://www.floridakidcare.org/

Local Community Resources

Dialing 2-1-1 on your landline telephone will connect you to a real person 24/7 who will help you locate local community resources (i.e.: food, clothing, shelter, housing, electric assistance). If you are using a cell phone, the telephone number is:   (941)308-HELP (308-4357) http://www.uw211manasota.net/

 Abuse Reporting

If you suspect or have witnessed abuse of ANY kind (children/disabled adults or elderly over 75 years old) it is your responsibility to call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Your name will be kept confidential. It is not up to you to decide if actual abuse took place, that is the job of the Department of Children and Families – your job is to report.

Abuse of persons between ages 18-75 (without disabilities) should be reported to local law enforcement (9-1-1).

Animal abuse should be reported to Animal Control at (941) 861-5800 or go to http://www.sarasotasheriff.org/mailing.asp

Social Security 

To inquire about or apply for Social Security benefits, you may call 1-800-772-1213 or go to http://www.ssa.gov/

Mental Health Crisis:

To obtain information for someone in your family is experiencing mental health crisis, you may do one of the following:

• Visit the Coastal Behavioral Healthcare website http://www.coastalbh.org/
• Call Coastal (941) 952-1147
• Walk into the Family Emergency Treatment Center (FETC) located at: 1451 10^th St., Sarasota  (8am-8pm M-F, 8am-4pm Sat)

• Immediate emergency evaluation – go to the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) 1451 10^th St., Sarasota  (24/7) or call 911.

Social Worker Assistance:

2-1-1 will provide many resources for particular situations. If you cannot find the resources you are looking for, it is a perfect opportunity to contact your child’s School Social Worker! There are certain resources that MAY be available through different agencies in the community that may require a referral from a social worker.  Go to Contact Us to reach your School Social Worker.

LOGIN