County resource guide
Putnam County, Florida
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Putnam County. Florida statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
11 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Palatka
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Putnam County's hospital in Palatka offering pediatric care and developmental referral coordination. For comprehensive autism evaluations, families typically travel to Gainesville (1 hr) or Jacksonville (1.5 hrs). UF Health telehealth is the most accessible option.
Putnam is rural — plan to travel to Gainesville or Jacksonville for specialized evaluations. UF Health telehealth recommended.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Palatka · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Putnam County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Putnam County with developmental delays or autism risk. Speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy delivered in the home.
FREE if income-eligible; sliding scale otherwise. Self-referral accepted.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Palatka · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Putnam County
In-home and telehealth ABA therapy serving Putnam County families. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted. One of few ABA providers reaching this rural North Florida county.
Telehealth parent coaching often the most practical option in rural Putnam County. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Gainesville · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida
Free state-funded Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at UF, serving Alachua, Marion, Levy, Gilchrist, Dixie, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Putnam, and Flagler counties. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, school support, and professional training at no cost to families.
FREE. State-funded. Home base for UF's CARD — Gainesville families get in-person access.
Starke · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Bradford County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Bradford County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Starke area families at no cost. Bradford County is rural — CARD at UF provides the most comprehensive support.
FREE. State-funded. Telehealth consultation widely available for Bradford County families.
Orange Park · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Clay County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Clay County through the UF CARD Jacksonville region. Family consultation, school advocacy, IEP support, and community resources for Orange Park and Fleming Island families at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. Clay County is part of the Jacksonville metro — UF CARD Jacksonville covers this area.
Palm Coast · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Flagler County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Flagler County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, school advocacy, IEP support, and community resource navigation for Palm Coast and Bunnell families at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. Flagler is served by UF CARD — request a Flagler County consultant.
Jacksonville · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Jacksonville Region
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. Family consultation, school advocacy, and community resources at no cost to families.
FREE. State-funded. First call for Jacksonville-area families.
Ocala · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Marion County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Marion County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, school support, and resource navigation for Ocala families at no cost. Marion County is one of Florida's larger rural counties — CARD provides both in-person and telehealth consultation.
FREE. State-funded. Ocala is the regional hub for North Central Florida — CARD at UF serves Marion County as part of a large region.
Palatka · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Putnam County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Putnam County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Palatka and surrounding area families at no cost. Putnam is a rural county with limited local specialty services.
FREE. State-funded. CARD at UF is especially critical in rural Putnam County — call early.
Palatka
Family Network on Disabilities — Putnam County
Free special education advocacy for Putnam County families through Florida's federally funded PTI. Parent advocates assist with IEP meetings and IDEA rights — especially valuable in a rural county where school district knowledge gaps can be significant.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
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