Hillsborough County is home to two of the state's autism anchors: CARD at the University of South Florida and USF's Bay Area Early Steps program. Add a large school district, an APD office downtown and active city and county recreation departments, and Tampa-area families have more public help than many realize. This guide lists the offices that matter, with contact details from each agency's own page as of October 2026. Confirm before you visit, because offices and phone lines change.
Where do I start in Hillsborough County?
- Under 3: Bay Area Early Steps, run by the University of South Florida, holds the Early Steps contract for Hillsborough and Polk counties. Call (813) 974-0602 to ask about services or make a referral, or fax the referral form to (813) 821-8352. The program is based at 13101 North Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612. No doctor's referral is needed, and families pay no Early Steps fees. Our Early Steps guide covers what happens after you call.
- Ages 3 to 5: FDLRS Hillsborough, at 311 N. Kings Ave., Brandon, FL 33510, provides Child Find screening. Phone 813-837-7777.
- Any age: ask your pediatrician for a referral for an autism diagnostic evaluation. See how to get an autism diagnosis in Florida.
What is CARD-USF and how can it help?
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF is one of seven regional CARD centers created by Florida law (s. 1004.55). CARD-USF serves 14 counties in southwest Florida: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota.
- 13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd., MHC 2113A, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone: 813-974-2532
CARD-USF is funded by the Florida Department of Education through an annual grant, and it says its services are delivered at no cost wherever families, schools or agencies are located in its region. It gives family consultation, training and help finding resources. It does not provide ongoing therapy, so it works alongside your child's ABA team and school. See which CARD serves my county.
Where is the APD office for Hillsborough County?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) serves Floridians whose developmental disability, including autism, began before age 18. It can offer support coordination and, through the iBudget waiver, home and community services; waiver funding often takes years, so apply early. Hillsborough is in APD's Suncoast Region, served from the Tampa office:
- 1313 North Tampa Street, Suite 515, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone: (800) 615-8720
The Tampa office also serves DeSoto, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties. See how to apply for APD services.
How do Hillsborough County Public Schools handle evaluations?
If your child attends a Hillsborough County public or charter school, ask the school in writing for an initial evaluation and ask who the school's ESE (exceptional student education) contact is. We could not open the district's ESE web pages when this guide was checked, so start with your child's school or the district's main site.
Florida's evaluation rule sets the clock. After a parent's request, the district has 30 days to either ask for consent or give written notice explaining why it refuses. Once you consent, the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days, with some school breaks excluded. School eligibility for autism is decided by the district's own evaluation and is separate from a medical diagnosis.
Florida law (s. 1003.572) also lets a private BCBA or RBT work with your child at a public school when the teacher and principal agree on time and place. Our guide private ABA in Hillsborough County schools explains how to ask.
How much is FES-UA in Hillsborough County?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), run by Step Up For Students, can fund approved therapies including ABA, private school tuition and other approved costs. Step Up's 2026-27 table lists these amounts for Hillsborough residents:
| Matrix level | Ages or grades | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Levels 1 to 3, or a qualifying diagnosis | Ages 3 and 4, grades K to 3 | $10,593 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 4 to 8 | $10,001 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 9 to 12 | $9,808 |
| Level 4 (254) | All | $21,739 |
| Level 5 (255) | All | $34,958 |
New 2026-27 applications are accepted until November 15, 2026. Read our FES-UA explainer before applying; a scholarship student gives up the district's duty to provide a free appropriate public education while on it.
How do I register for a special needs shelter in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough County runs its Special Needs Shelter Program in partnership with the Florida Department of Health. To register, go to the statewide Florida Special Needs Registry, create an account, choose "Add a Registrant" and select Hillsborough County. A caregiver, family member or friend can register on your behalf. People in hospice or assisted living should not register; their facility or agency plans for them. Health department staff review each form and send a letter with your status.
The program is for residents whose medical or functional needs cannot be met in a general shelter but who do not need a hospital. The health department's list of possible criteria includes "a person with mental or cognitive limitations requiring assistance", along with medical needs such as electricity-dependent equipment. Autism alone may not qualify, and registration does not guarantee a space. Questions go to the Department of Health in Hillsborough County at 813-307-8063 (the line is not staffed at all business hours). See how to register for a special needs shelter.
Where can Hillsborough kids find inclusive recreation?
- City of Tampa Therapeutic Recreation offers adaptive and inclusive programs for people of all physical, emotional and cognitive abilities, including after-school, art, fitness and life-skills programs. For inclusion support in a regular class, register for the class and then contact the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at least 10 days before it starts.
- New Tampa All-Abilities Playground, 17302 Commerce Park Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647, is a city playground of more than 10,000 square feet designed for children with a wide range of physical, cognitive, sensory and neurodiverse abilities.
- Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation runs Adaptive Recreation for children with special needs and disabilities who may not thrive in a traditional after-school or summer camp setting, plus programs at Miller Park & Life Center and horseback riding at Bakas Equestrian Center. The county's recreation line is (813) 744-5978.
Is there help for military families and for wandering?
Military families in the Tampa area use TRICARE East, which Hope Center accepts. See TRICARE ABA therapy and our guide to the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration. If your child wanders, call 911 at once and check water first. Ask the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office or Tampa Police non-emergency line what tracking or registry programs exist today; see Project Lifesaver in Florida.
ABA therapy in Hillsborough County with Hope Center
Hope Center for Behavior Change has a center in Temple Terrace at 9385 N 56th St, Suite 211, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We also provide ABA in homes, schools, daycares and the community, and we serve families in Plant City and Apollo Beach. We have no waitlist, and services usually begin 3 to 5 business days after insurance approves the plan.
We work with Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue), Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East, with self-pay on a sliding scale. Visit our Tampa ABA page, request a free consultation and benefits check, or call 561-337-8865.