Arlington sits east of downtown Jacksonville, across the St. Johns River from most of the city's autism offices. For many Arlington families, the biggest decision after a diagnosis is practical: should ABA happen at a center, at home, or both? This guide compares those options, then lists the public offices that serve Arlington, with addresses and phone numbers from each agency's own page in October 2026. Confirm before you go; details change.
Center-based or in-home ABA: which fits an Arlington family?
Hope Center for Behavior Change's Jacksonville center is on the Southside at 7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our Jacksonville team also provides ABA in Arlington homes, schools, daycares and the community. Neither setting is better for every child. The BCBA recommends a mix after the assessment, and your insurer decides what it authorizes.
| Question | Center (Belfort Parkway) | In-home (Arlington) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | A drive across the river to the Southside for each session | None; the RBT comes to you |
| Best for goals like | Group skills, waiting turns, following routines with peers, play with other children | Sleep, meals, bathing, toileting, sibling play, safety at doors and pools |
| Distractions | A room set up for learning | Real life: TV, siblings, pets (useful for practicing, harder at first) |
| Parent role | Weekly parent training; you see progress in sessions and meetings | Weekly parent training; an adult usually needs to be home |
| Hours | Weekdays during center hours | Scheduled with the team, within what staff can cover |
| School tie-in | Skills practiced, then carried to school | Can combine with school sessions under s. 1003.572 |
Many families start in the setting where the hardest moments happen. Read our full center vs in-home ABA comparison, our in-home ABA page and our Jacksonville ABA page.
An example of a mixed schedule (illustration only)
Here is one way an Arlington family might combine settings. It is an example to make the options concrete, not a recommendation or a promise of hours; your child's BCBA builds the real plan and your insurer authorizes it.
- Two afternoons at home: the RBT works on the after-school routine, asking for help, and staying away from the front door, with a parent joining for part of the session.
- One morning at school or daycare, if the teacher and principal agree: following group instructions and moving between activities.
- One session at the Belfort Parkway center: turn-taking and play with peers in a structured room.
- Weekly parent training with the BCBA, at home, at the center or by phone, to go over goals and practice strategies you can use between sessions.
Plans change as your child's needs change. If the drive across the river becomes the hardest part of the week, tell the BCBA; moving more sessions home is a common request.
Questions to ask any ABA provider serving Arlington
- Do you have staff who can cover my neighborhood at the times I need?
- Who writes the plan, who supervises the RBT, and how often?
- How is parent training scheduled?
- Can staff join IEP meetings or doctor visits?
- What happens if my child is upset or unsafe? (At Hope Center: least intrusive strategies, no restraint.)
- How long from first call to first session, and is there a waitlist?
At Hope Center, BCBAs write every plan, the clinical director reviews it before it goes to insurance, BCBAs supervise RBTs weekly, parents get weekly training, and we have no waitlist. Services usually begin 3 to 5 business days after insurance approval.
Who do I call first if my child is young?
- Under 3: Northeastern Early Steps (UF College of Medicine, Jacksonville) serves Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker and Bradford counties. 910 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL 32209, phone (904) 427-7600. Anyone can refer, including parents, and UF says services are at no cost to families regardless of income. Most services happen in the home. See Early Steps vs private ABA.
- Ages 3 to 5: FDLRS Crown runs Child Find screening for Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. 1531 Winthrop St., Jacksonville, FL 32206, phone 904-346-4601.
- Any age: ask your pediatrician for a diagnostic referral. See getting an autism diagnosis in Florida.
Which state offices serve Arlington?
CARD Jacksonville
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the UF College of Medicine, Jacksonville, serves Duval and five nearby counties under s. 1004.55. Address: 6271 St. Augustine Rd., Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32217. Phone: (904) 633-0760. UF says services are free for people with autism and related disabilities, their families and the professionals who work with them. CARD offers consultation and training, not therapy.
APD Northeast Region
APD's Jacksonville office at 3631 Hodges Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32224 serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties; phone (386) 238-4607. APD accepts an autism diagnosis only from a Florida-licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, a board-certified pediatric neurologist qualified to diagnose autism, a board-certified developmental pediatrician, or an out-of-state evaluator with matching credentials. See how to apply for APD services and APD iBudget vs insurance.
How do Arlington schools fit in?
Arlington's public schools are part of Duval County Public Schools. Ask your child's school ESE contact for an evaluation in writing. Under Rule 6A-6.0331, the district has 30 days to request consent or explain a refusal in writing, and 60 calendar days after consent to complete the evaluation (some breaks excluded). Under s. 1003.572, a family's private BCBA or RBT can work with the child at school when the teachers and principal agree on the time and place. Our Duval schools and private ABA guide explains how to ask.
What is there for families close to home?
- Regency Square Branch Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Jacksonville Public Library has run a Sensory Friendly Storytime for ages 2 to 5 at several branches, with registration and a library card required in past listings. Call the library at (904) 255-2665 to ask whether one is scheduled near you, and ask for accommodations 1 to 2 business days ahead (JPLprograms@coj.net).
- City of Jacksonville Adaptive Recreation works with local partners to offer sports in city parks, including athletics, baseball, basketball, cycling, kayaking, surfing, swimming and tennis. Disabled Services: (904) 255-5466, DisabledServices@coj.net.
Should we register for the special medical needs registry?
The City of Jacksonville's Emergency Preparedness Division runs the registry. The city's February 2025 announcement named autism among cognitive impairments that may need specialized support. Health department staff review each application; registering does not guarantee a special needs shelter, and some people are referred to other shelters. A caregiver or family member must go with the registrant, and you must re-register every year.
- Register at snr.flhealthresponse.com or call (904) 255-3172.
- Waterleaf Elementary (450 Kernan Boulevard) is on the city's list of most accessible shelters. Not every shelter opens for every storm, so check JaxReady first.
See hurricane preparedness for autistic children.
Decision checklist for Arlington families
- Under 3? Refer to Northeastern Early Steps now; private ABA can run alongside it.
- Ages 3 to 5? Call FDLRS Crown for free screening.
- Diagnosis from a provider APD accepts? Apply to APD early.
- Where are the hardest moments? Choose center, home or school sessions to match.
- How many weekday trips to the Southside can you manage? If few, lean toward home and school.
- Registered for the special medical needs registry before storm season?
- Benefits checked? We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue), Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East, and offer self-pay with a sliding scale.
For the full county picture, see the Duval County guide. When you are ready, request a free consultation and benefits check or call 561-337-8865.