Florida Resources

Would you like to know more about child care licensing in your state or resources for children with special needs? Do you need to contact someone about child support, health care for your family, or help paying for food or heat? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Click a tab below to find those resources and more in Florida.

Child Care Resource & Referral Search

Looking for child care? Your local CCR&R agency can help you find options near your home or work.

Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.

Child Care Licensing

Your local child care regulatory office

Website Find Your Local Office

Provider Complaint Line: Contact your local office

Inspection Reports

Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations

Website

State Child Care Landscape

Basic facts about child care in your area

State Child Care Landscape

Florida Child Care Information

Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Florida

Website

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks

Website

Criminal Background Checks

Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area

Website

Gold Seal Quality Child Care Program

Voluntary designation that acknowledges child care programs that have gone above minimum licensing requirements to achieve higher standards of quality through accreditation

Website

Shared Resources Florida

A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)

Website

Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.

Child Protective Services

To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child

Phone: 1(800) 962-2873

Website

Child Support

Child support application and procedures for your state

Website

Medicaid Eligibility

Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals

Website

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – Florida KidCare

Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.

Website

Florida Department of Health

State government programs to promote the health of Florida citizens

Website

Florida Department of Children and Families

State government programs and services for children and families

Website

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs

Website

Car Seat Basics

Information on car seat regulations and inspection services

Website

Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.

Child Care Assistance – School Readiness

Child care financial assistance programs

Phone: 1(866) 357-3239

Find Your Local CCR&R Office

Website

Florida Head Start

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Find Your Local Head Start/Early Head Start

Miami-Dade County Head Start

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Website

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five

Find Your Local WIC Clinic

Website

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency

Website

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

Federal nutrition program

Website

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs

Website

Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.

Easterseals Florida

Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports

Website

The Arc of Florida

Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups

Website

Early Intervention – Early Steps

Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays

Website

Inclusion Warm Line Network

Provides assistance and consultation about including children with disabilities and special health care needs in early care and education

Contact Your Local ELC

Help Me Grow Florida

Free developmental and behavioral screenings and connection to appropriate resources for children birth through age 8

Website

Kinship/Relative Caregivers Programs

Resources for children in the care of a relative, member of their tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child

Website

Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.

Child Care Licensing

Your local child care regulatory office

Website Find Your Local Office

Provider Complaint Line: Contact your local office

Inspection Reports

Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations

Website

State Child Care Landscape

Basic facts about child care in your area

State Child Care Landscape

Florida Child Care Information

Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Florida

Website

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks

Website

Criminal Background Checks

Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area

Website

Gold Seal Quality Child Care Program

Voluntary designation that acknowledges child care programs that have gone above minimum licensing requirements to achieve higher standards of quality through accreditation

Website

Shared Resources Florida

A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)

Website

Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.

Child Protective Services

To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child

Phone: 1(800) 962-2873

Website

Child Support

Child support application and procedures for your state

Website

Medicaid Eligibility

Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals

Website

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – Florida KidCare

Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.

Website

Florida Department of Health

State government programs to promote the health of Florida citizens

Website

Florida Department of Children and Families

State government programs and services for children and families

Website

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs

Website

Car Seat Basics

Information on car seat regulations and inspection services

Website

Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.

Child Care Assistance – School Readiness

Child care financial assistance programs

Phone: 1(866) 357-3239

Find Your Local CCR&R Office

Website

Florida Head Start

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Find Your Local Head Start/Early Head Start

Miami-Dade County Head Start

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Website

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five

Find Your Local WIC Clinic

Website

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency

Website

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

Federal nutrition program

Website

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs

Website

Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.

Easterseals Florida

Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports

Website

The Arc of Florida

Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups

Website

Early Intervention – Early Steps

Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays

Website

Inclusion Warm Line Network

Provides assistance and consultation about including children with disabilities and special health care needs in early care and education

Contact Your Local ELC

Help Me Grow Florida

Free developmental and behavioral screenings and connection to appropriate resources for children birth through age 8

Website

Kinship/Relative Caregivers Programs

Resources for children in the care of a relative, member of their tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child

Website

If you find that any of the information above is incorrect, please contact us at info@childcareaware.org.

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Military Families

Military Families