Currently Florida's Department of Health, Children's Medical Services, Early Steps and Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, through federal assistance under the individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA), Part C and Part B, provide funding to Florida's Central Directory Project, located at the Children's Forum. Inc., Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs Unit. The federal register of IDEA, Part C mandates the Central Directory. All states that receive Part C funds have to have a Central Directory.

The Central Directory maintains a database which contains a wide range of information on community services, counseling, diagnosis/evaluation, early intervention services, education and training, equipment, medical screening, special education services, support groups and therapies for children and youth birth to 21 years. In addition their national toll-free line 1-800-654-4440 is also utilized as the electronic link for callers to be connected to State and Local Department of Health, Children's Medical Services, Early Steps and CMS Network Offices, State and Local Department of Education, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), and the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Office of Early Learning Inclusion Contacts.

A Resource Specialist will be available to answer calls from 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.

Another initiative is to advocate for availability and quality early care and education services to families with children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs. One of the objectives is to create buy-in of concept and philosophy of inclusion by department heads of government agencies, local and state leaders, business and family organizations. Needs to advance collaboration of groups.

For more information call Florida's Central Directory at 1-800-654-4440 or (850) 487-6301; Fax (850) 681-9816; Email :
Lou Ann Long, Director of Central Directory