Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver is a program designed to help individuals affected with a cognitive disorder that may lead to elopement or wandering. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Project Lifesaver International to provide valuable equipment, employing transmitters to locate wandering or lost children and adults. For more information about this program contact us at 407-785-0270

Osceola County Sheriff's Office Autism Initiative

The OCSO Autism initiative aims to inform emergency responders of individuals with autism in homes or vehicles through decals. These decals allow deputies to draw on their autism training and recognize that the person in the home or car may not communicate, respond to verbal commands, or be aware of danger.

Kissimmee Police Department Operation Identify

Operation Identity program aims to help First Responders quickly identify individuals who are non-verbal, unconscious, or cognitively challenged (such as those with Dementia or Alzheimer's) and may be lost. This is achieved through a distinctive wristband with NFC technology, a QR code, and a unique serial number. It's important to note that this wristband is solely for identification purposes and does not track the wearer's location. Members of the public can scan the wristband to access the unique serial number and the wearer's name, allowing them to notify the Kissimmee Police Department if necessary. The wristband is provided free of charge to any City of Kissimmee resident who wishes to participate. To register for Operation Identify you must reside within Kissimmee city limits to participate in this program.

St. Cloud Police Department Special Needs Registry

The Special Needs Registry is an initiative of the St. Cloud Police Department. Its purpose is to compile and maintain a list of individuals with "special needs" due to mental or neurological disabilities who may reside or frequently visit the City of St. Cloud. Residents are invited to proactively provide information about a loved one with special needs of any age who may require special assistance in an emergency or interaction with St. Cloud Police Officers. Email ceunit@stcloudfl.gov for further information. (The registration form is available on our departments webpage under Parent Toolkit Safety Resources for Students with Disabilities.)

National Autism Association (NAA) Big Red Safety Box

The NAA is committed to those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who may be prone to wandering off or eloping from a safe environment, and may be unable to recognize danger and/or stay safe. Wandering, elopement, “running” or fleeing behaviors among those within our community not only present unique safety risks, but also create extraordinary worry and stress among caregivers. Drowning fatalities following wandering incidents remain a leading cause of death among those with ASD. As such, the National Autism Association provides direct assistance to caregivers, educators and first responders. The Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge toolkit given to autism families in need as a means to educate, raise awareness and provide simple tools that may assist them in preventing, and responding to, wandering-related emergencies. NAA’s Big Red Safety Box includes a number of resources that can be used to help.

National Autism Association (NAA) Be REDy Booklet for Caregivers (FREE Resource)

NAA’s Be REDy Booklets are digital toolkits created to provide information and resources to prevent and respond to wandering incidents. There are versions for caregivers, first responders and teachers. The caregiver version is available in both English and Spanish.

Autism Speaks Autism Safety Kit (FREE Resource

It is important for the safety plan to cover all areas of the person with autism's life including home, school, and any community activities. Inform all teachers, caregivers, and trusted community members about the safety plan. Many families share the forms with their local first responders. Use the printable forms and handouts in our Autism Safety Kit to develop a multifaceted safety plan specific to a person with autism's unique needs. Remember, a person with autism's safety needs can change as they get older or when there is a sudden change in routine, so the safety plan should be updated on a regular basis.

AngelSense

AngelSense is Assistive Technology with unique features like proactive safety alerts, auto pickup speakerphone, real-time location, SOS emergency button, school bus monitoring, and non-removable wearing options. AngelSense helps effectively cope with safety concerns like wandering and elopement, outdoor activities, and school and public transportation.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.

Autism Society of Greater Orlando

The Autism Society of Greater Orlando was founded in 1996 by a group of volunteer parents to better assist families of children and adults with autism in the Central Florida area. The mission or goal of the ASGO is that all individuals within the autism spectrum will be provided a lifetime network of opportunities to become fully accepted, included, and actively participating members of our community, through family support, education, advocacy, and public awareness.

The Family Cafe

The Family Cafe exists to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with an opportunity for collaboration, advocacy, friendship, and empowerment by serving as a facilitator of communication, a space for dialogue and a source of information.

FDLRS Administration Project and Associate Centers Network

The FDLRS Administration Project and Associate Centers Network are proud to offer a series of parent webinars to take place virtually. Each webinar will be conducted monthly during lunch hours from 12:00pm-12:45pm, EST, on designated Fridays.  All session will be recorded and posted to our Recorded Webinars page for access throughout the year. These webinars are free of charge and open to all parents, families, and professionals working with children with disabilities or those with unique learning needs.  Please register today for one or all the upcoming Friday with FDLRS Parent Webinars.

Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library Services

The Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library provides information and reading materials in Braille and recorded audio format to Florida residents who are unable to use standard print as the result of visual, physical, or reading disabilities.

Nathaniel's Hope

Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to celebrating kids with special needs (our VIPs) as well as educating and equipping communities and churches to provide programs and assistance for VIP families. VIP kids are those with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.

National Autism Association (NAA)

The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. The NAA achieves its mission through six main areas: advocacy, research, education, direct tools, thoughtful awareness, and hope.

Special Ed Connection

Special Ed Connection® is a web-based resource that parents can use to gain an understanding of what special education is and how it works, as their child enters, progresses through and exits the world of special education requirements. From legal rights to practical application and from student referrals to IEPs, Special Ed Connection® explains specific procedures and provides real-world application strategies so parents can learn the complexities surrounding special education supports and services.

Sports Ability Alliance

SportsAbility Alliance enriches lives through accessible, inclusive recreation and active leisure. Promotes accessible recreation to persons with disabilities as well as the general public through its hands-on recreation programs, newsletters and community outreach and education.

Sunshine Foudation

Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income.

UCF - CARD

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities' (CARD) mission is to educate and empower individuals and families throughout the lifespan by providing support, assistance, and awareness within the community, with the goal of optimizing the potential of all individuals with autism and related disabilities; and to provide training that enables professionals to deliver evidence-based treatments to achieve optimal outcomes. 

Technical Assistance & Training System

TATS supports families in gaining knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures that promote their full participation in the education of their children who have unique needs.

Early Steps

Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have or are at-risk for developmental disabilities or delays. Early intervention supports families and caregivers to increase their child’s participation in daily activities and routines that are important to the family.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Florida Department of Education The mission of VR is to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence.

Project 10: Transition Education Network

The mission of Project 10: Transition Education Network, hereinafter referred to as "Project 10," is to assist Florida school districts and relevant stakeholders in building capacity to provide secondary transition services to students with disabilities in order to improve their academic success and post-school outcomes.