Advocacy
Disability Resource Center, Inc.
Serving 8 counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty & Washington
305 W. 5th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Main: 850-769-6890 or 850-387-1800 (Video Phone)
Fax (850) 769-6891
Provides the following core services, which are available to all persons with disabilities and their families: Advocacy – Educating consumers about the rights of persons with disabilities and assisting individuals in learning laws to self-advocate and working within the system to bring about change. Information & Referral – Provides assistance to other organizations and people with disabilities by allowing persons with disabilities to obtain the correct information and a referral to the needed service provider; Independent Living Skills Training – Focuses on persons with disabilities so they can function in the community and remain independent. Topics include housing issues, health care services, assistive technology, Social Security benefits, transportation issues and voting rights. Peer Counseling – Offers ongoing support/mentoring opportunities to individuals who share like disabilities to support each other with information and experience. Youth Transition – Helps students with disabilities prepare and plan for employment success after high school.
Population and Demographic Specific Resources
Able Trust
1-888-838-2253
A public-private partnership foundation whose mission is to provide Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness, and education. The Able Trust’s e-Mentoring program connects volunteer
mentors with students with disabilities, to exchange weekly correspondence via e-mail. www.abletrust.org
Agency for Person with Disabilities
Med Waiver Program
850-482-9109
Serving the needs of Floridians with developmental disabilities
American Disability Act SE Office
Call 404-541-9001 or contact the ADA Technical Assistance Center in your area at 800-949-4237. For more information visit: www.abilityforum.com. Helping people with disabilities find their place in the work force.
The ARC of the Bay (formerly St. Andrew Bay Center, Inc.)
1804 Carolina Ave.
Lynn Haven, FL 32444
850-265-2951
Provides a training, education, socialization, support, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. These include Adult Day Training, which offers self-enrichment programs, pre-vocational training, and life skills training. The Job Services Program offers clients an opportunity to broaden their employment skills and becoming tax paying citizens by obtaining and maintaining jobs in the business community.
BASIC of Northwest Florida, Inc
432 Magnolia Ave
Panama City, FL
850-785-1088
Community based organization providing social services to clients with HIV; support groups for those infected, their families and friends; and awareness education and prevention information.
Bay County Council on Aging, Inc
1116 Frankford Ave
Panama City, FL
850-769-3468
Provides programs and services to enable senior adults to remain active, healthy, and independent, preventing inappropriate institutionalization.
Beach Wheelchairs
Russell Fields City Piers:
16201 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
12213 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL
Ph. 850-236-0392; 850-233-5080
No fee required
Burial Assistance - Last Rights for Little Ones
Healthy Start Coalition
850-872-4130
Assists with burial expenses for children deceased in utero and after birth
Note: Some local Funeral homes in Bay County offer cremation services at reduced prices, if the family cannot afford it.
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
2611-A West 23rd Street
Panama City, FL
850-215-4330
Provides individuals with Autism or related disabilities, their families and professionals who work with them, free consultation, resources, and educational support to build knowledge, confidence, infrastructure, and sustainability within the community. Provides short-term support to Individuals dually diagnosed (deaf and blind).
Disability Rights Florida
2473 Care Drive, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32308
800-342-0823; 850-488-9071; TDD 800-346-4127; Fax 850-488-8640
Website: disabilityrightsflorida.org
To report suspected abuse, call: 800-962-2873
Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Disability Rights Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that has authority and responsibility under eight federal grants. Our services are free and confidential. Our Mission is to advance the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and freedom of choice of persons
with disabilities through collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as legal and legislative strategies.
Division of Blind Services
234 Forest Park Circle
Panama City, FL
850-872-4181
The Florida Division of Blind Services provides services to persons who are blind or have severe visual impairments and to persons who have disabling conditions that make it difficult to read regular print. Persons of all ages living in Florida who are blind or who require alternative reading materials may benefit from this agency's services.
Doorways of NW Fla. (formerly Homeless and Hunger Coalition)
(Is also home to CRC, Community Redevelopment Center)
AD Harris Building
819 East 11th Street
Panama City, Fl 32401
Mailing address: PO Box 549, PC 32402
Phone: 850-481-5446
Email: 703crc@gmail.com
Call for info, referrals, and resources.
Elder Affairs, Department of Florida CARES, Planning Area 2A
278 Forest Park Circle
Panama City, FL 32405
Phone: 850-747-5840 Fax: 850-747-5848
Elder Help Line: 850-487-8926
Epilepsy Foundation of Big Bend
1137 Harrison Ave., Suite 13
Panama City, FL
850-872-2998
Family Service Agency
114 East 9th Street
Panama City, FL
850-785-1721
Tues/Wed/Thur. 9am – 3pm
Family Service Agency
114 East 9th Street
Panama City, FL
850-785-1721
Gulf Coast Medical Center- h2u
449 E 23rd St
Panama City, FL
Phone: 850-747-7793 Toll Free: 1-800) 348-4886 Fax: 850-770-8106
Must be 50 years of age or older; $15.00 membership fee. VIP hospital privileges: assistance in filing complicated health insurance claims, free social and education events, free health screenings, merchant discount, bi-monthly magazine and newsletter, group travel, meet new friends
Migrant National Education Hotline
800-234-8848
Miracle League baseball for special needs
www.emeraldcoastmiracleleague.com
850-233-5045
Muscular Dystrophy Association
1574-B Villages Square Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL
Phone: 850-681-6763 Fax: 850-224-5886
Diagnostic testing, genetic counseling, physical therapy, occupational and respiratory therapy, orthopedic equipment, aids to daily living, leg braces, body jackets, outpatient clinic, summer camp, support group and social events. Clinic is held monthly at Neurology Associates in Panama City
Panama City Developmental Center
Intermediate Care Facility
1407 Lincoln Drive
Panama City, FL 32401
850-769-7636
PCDC is a learning/housing facility for individuals with intellectual learning disabilities. The goal for the residents is to help maintain quality of life at the current level.
Project ID
Contact Person: Rhonda Rose, Case Manager
Ph. 850-867-2622
(Works out of Doorways Office)
Email: homelessid@bellsouth.net
“Restoration of Dignity; Reaching Out to the Poor and the Homeless”
Residential CRF, Inc. (“Florida Mentor”)
850-785-0605
Intermediate Care Facility
Second Chance of Northwest Florida, Inc
819 E. 11th Street
Panama City, FL
850-769-777
Second Chance of Northwest Florida was established in 1992 to serve the needs of adults living with traumatic (TBI) or acquired (ABI) brain injuries and their families. Our Mission is to restore hope and dignity and affect positively the quality of life for brain injury survivors and their families, minimizing the effects and enabling each to function at the highest level possible, both in the community and in their personal life. Second Chance staff is available as a training and educational resource for Brain Injury Prevention & Awareness.
Social Security Administration
3215 Hwy. 77
Panama City, FL 32405
800-772-1213
Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the United States federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits.
Special Olympics
850-483-4870
Sunrise Community, Incorporated
2059 Lisenby Ave. 1636 Beck Ave.
Panama City, FL 32405 Panama City, FL 32405
850-785-4691 850-769-8929
Providing people with disabilities the assistance and support necessary to enable them to live valued lives in the community. Innovations: Offers day training program featuring relaxation, communication, nutrition, mobility, and vocational skills training.
Team Adaptive
1201 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, FL 32401
850-522-0059
Assist with building in home handicapped friendly devices and modifying vans to accommodate disabilities.
Tender Love and Care United Cerebral Palsy
?1241 N. East Avenue
Panama City, FL
850-769-7960?
United Way of Northwest Florida, Inc. (Community Impact Fund)
602 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, FL 32401
850-785-7521
Local, knowledgeable volunteers distribute funds to meet our most critical local human service needs, so people become healthier, self-sufficient, and involved in caring for themselves and one another; advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on Education, Income, and Health.
Vocational
Rehab
2505 W. 15th Street
Panama City, FL
Phone: 850-872-4380; Fax: 850-872-7756
Provides quality individualized services to enhance and support people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain or retain employment.
Support Groups
ABLE (Additional Basic Life Education)
Meets every 3rd Thursday at 5:30pm at the Family Service Center.
114 9th St., Panama City, Fla. 32401
Everyone is invited, no RSVP required.
For more information call Judy at 314-585-1307 or Angie at 850-769-6890
ABLE Support Group: Sharing encouragement, strength, and hope within the disabled community.
AIDS support group
410 Jenks Ave
Panama City FL
850-785-1088
Services offered through BASIC
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Education
Located at: Bay County Council on Aging
1116 Frankford Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
850-769-3468
Meets 4th Wednesday, 1pm, in the Respite Center
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Located at: Bay County Council on Aging
1116 Frankford Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
850-769-3468
Meets 2nd Friday, 1pm, in the Respite Center
American Cancer Society
2012 Lisenby Ave., Suite A 4001 W. 23rd St.
Panama City, FL Panama City, FL
850-785-9205 Fax: 850-872-9431 850-785-9205
Treatment related information and guidelines, transportation, emergency financial assistance, equipment loans, comfort items, dressings, lodgings, pain medication assistance, education programs, support counseling program, hospital programs, and children’s programs
American Heart & American Stroke Association, Greater SE Affiliate
653 W 23rd St, # 248
Panama City, FL
800-257-6941, Ext. 6087
Heart & Stroke support group; Call for info.
American Red Cross
Regional Headquarters
751 Riverside Ave
Jacksonville, Fl 32204
904-358-8091
8:00 am- 3:30 pm Mon. – Fri Eastern Time Zone
Disaster services, health and safety services, and services to armed forces
Caregiver Support Group
Located at: Brookdale Assisted Living Facility
2575 Harrison Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
850-872-8484
Meetings held the 3rd Thursday of each month; call for more info.
Caregiver Support (Spiritual care for caregivers)
Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church
271 S. Hwy. 79
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
850-234-3161
Every Thursday 11:15am – noon; A group meeting for spiritual care, guided conversation, resources, and prayer.
Coping with Depression
Located at: Life Management Center
525 East 15th Street Building A
850-522-4489
Meetings held every Friday from 5p.m. to 7p.m.
Life Management Center
525 East 15th Street, Building B Adult Services
Panama City, FL 32405
850-522-4485
Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Mental Health of America
Located at: Life Management Center
525 East 15th Street Building B Adult Services
Panama City, FL 32405
850-769-5441
Meetings held the 4th Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Jan. – May, Sept. – Oct.)
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Family Support Group
Forest Park United Methodist Church
1401 West 23rd Street
Panama City, FL 32405
850-871-6936
Meetings held the 3rd Thursday from 6p.m. to 8p.m.
Stroke Support Group
Located at: Health South Rehabilitation Hospital
1847 Florida Ave
Panama City, FL 32405
850-914-8627
Meets 2nd Wednesday, of each month, 3-4pm. Contact Hannah.
Divorce Care
Divorce Care is a faith-based support ministry that helps group members apply biblical principles as they heal from the hurt of separation and divorce. It is usually offered over a 12-week period, meeting once a week. There is no fee, only the cost of the booklet, usually around $15. Call for day and time of meetings.
First Baptist Church
640
Grace Ave.
Panama City, FL
850-785-6146
Jenks Ave Church of Christ
3332
Jenks Ave
Panama City, FL
850-763-5661
NorthStar Church
2355
Saint Andrews Blvd
Panama City, FL
850-215-4812
Grief Share
Grief Share is a faith-based support ministry that helps group members apply biblical principles to the healing process after the death of a loved one. It is usually offered over a 12-week period, meeting once a week. There is no fee, only the cost of the booklet, usually around $15. Call for day and time of meetings.
First Assembly of God
1701
North East Ave
Panama City, FL
850-769-3558
First Baptist Church
640 Grace Ave.
Panama City, FL
850-785-6146
First United Methodist Church
903
East 4th Street
Panama City, FL
850-763-6537
Free Spirit Community Church
3706
E 11th Street
Panama City, FL
850-763-9212
Highland Park Baptist Church
2611
North Highway 231
Panama City, FL
850-785-6530
Seagrove Baptist Church
4915
E. Co. Hwy. 30-A
Seagrove Beach, FL
850-231-2884
Veteran Services
Bay County Veteran’s Center
3109 Minnesota Ave., Suite 101
Panama City, FL 32405
Office: 850-522-6102
Fax: 850-522-6113
Contact person: Matt Standish; 850-723-2243 (USAF Retired, Veterans Outreach Program Specialist)
The Vet Center provides a Readjustment Counseling Service for veterans and service members. Also provides a continuum of quality care, which adds value for veterans, families, and communities. Care includes counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, and the brokering of services with community agencies.
Bay County Veterans Service (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
840 W. 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone : (850) 248-8280 ; Fax : (850) 248-8289
Florida Veterans Communities
2404 Grandiflora Blvd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
850-625-0678
“Housing, Help & Hope for Heroes.”
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
2600 Veterans Way
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(850) 636-7000; 888-231-5047
Shayma Salman, contact person; 850-238-5223
HUD-VASH (HUD VA Supported Housing)
Contact persons: Cheryl Stulzaft 850-637-4082
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.
Panama City VA Out patient Clinic
2600 Veterans Way
Panama City Beach, Florida
850-636-7000
90Works NWFL (Stability Services for Veteran Families - SSVF)
Contact Person : “M.J.” Ph. 850-619-5827
Stability Services for Veteran Families seeks to improve housing stability of veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and their families. Services include assisting the veteran and family to engage in community resources, VA benefits, finding housing, financial planning, obtaining employment, counseling and/or access to disability services. Serves veterans in: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington County
