County resource guide
Franklin County, Florida
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Franklin County. Florida statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
12 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Port St. Joe · multi-county
HCA Gulf Coast — Gulf County Referrals
Gulf County families access developmental referrals and pediatric care through providers in Panama City (Bay County, 40 min). HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City is the nearest full-service hospital. For autism evaluations, the FSU CARD telehealth or Studer Family Children's in Pensacola are recommended.
Gulf County has no hospital. Panama City (40 min) is the nearest full-service area. For autism evaluations, consider FSU CARD telehealth or Studer Family Children's in Pensacola.
Apalachicola
Weems Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Franklin County's small critical access hospital in Apalachicola offering basic care and developmental referrals. For autism evaluations, families travel to Tallahassee (1.5 hrs) or Panama City (1.5 hrs). FSU CARD telehealth and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare are the recommended resources.
Critical access hospital — no autism specialists locally. Travel to Tallahassee (1.5 hrs) or Panama City (1.5 hrs) for evaluations. FSU CARD telehealth is the recommended first step.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Apalachicola · multi-county
Early Steps — Big Bend Region (Franklin County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Franklin County. Speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy in the home under IDEA Part C — home-based model is the primary delivery approach for this small coastal county.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted.
Crawfordville · multi-county
Early Steps — Big Bend Region (Wakulla County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Wakulla County. Speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy in the home under IDEA Part C. Wakulla's proximity to Tallahassee means therapist availability is better than in more isolated rural counties.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted. Proximity to Tallahassee improves therapist availability.
Port St. Joe · multi-county
Early Steps — Panhandle Region (Gulf County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Gulf County. Speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy in the home under IDEA Part C. Post-Hurricane Michael, home-based EI is especially important given reduced local infrastructure.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted. Post-Hurricane Michael recovery continues — contact county health department for current service status.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Port St. Joe · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — Gulf County (Telehealth)
Telehealth ABA parent coaching for Gulf County families. Local ABA providers do not exist in Gulf County — telehealth parent coaching and travel to Panama City (40 min) for center-based services are the options. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid accepted.
Telehealth coaching plus travel to Panama City for ABA. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Apalachicola · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Franklin County (Telehealth)
Telehealth ABA parent coaching for Franklin County families. No local ABA exists in Franklin County — telehealth coaching and travel to Tallahassee or Panama City for center-based services are the only realistic pathways. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid accepted.
Telehealth coaching plus travel to Tallahassee for ABA. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Crawfordville · multi-county
CARD at Florida State University — Wakulla County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Wakulla County through the FSU CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Crawfordville and Sopchoppy families at no cost. Wakulla County is directly adjacent to Tallahassee — families benefit from Leon County resources with a short commute.
FREE. State-funded. Wakulla County is 20 min from Tallahassee — families have access to Leon County's stronger provider base. FSU CARD is the first call.
Pensacola · multi-county
CARD at University of West Florida
Free state-funded autism resource center serving the Florida Panhandle — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Franklin, Liberty, and Gadsden counties. Family consultation, school advocacy, and professional training at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. The primary autism resource hub for the entire Panhandle. Critical first call for Pensacola families.
Apalachicola · multi-county
CARD at University of West Florida — Franklin County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Franklin County through the UWF CARD. Family consultation, school advocacy, and resource navigation for Apalachicola and Carrabelle families at no cost. Franklin County is a small coastal county with limited services — CARD telehealth consultation is the primary resource.
FREE. State-funded. Franklin County is remote coastal Florida — CARD at UWF provides telehealth consultation as the primary autism resource.
Port St. Joe · multi-county
CARD at University of West Florida — Gulf County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Gulf County through the UWF CARD Panhandle region. Family consultation, school advocacy, and community resources for Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka families at no cost. Gulf County is a small coastal county still rebuilding from Hurricane Michael — CARD is the critical first resource.
FREE. State-funded. Gulf County was severely affected by Hurricane Michael. Resources remain limited — CARD at UWF is the essential first call. Telehealth consultation is standard.
Apalachicola
Family Network on Disabilities — Franklin County
Free special education advocacy for Franklin County families through Florida's federally funded PTI. FND helps Apalachicola and Carrabelle families navigate IEP processes and IDEA rights — phone and remote support available.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Phone/remote support primary for rural Franklin County.
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