We participate in several programs outside of insurance.

Florida Dept. of Education – Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities.

We provide a wide variety of services through Vocational Rehabilitation ranging from vehicle modifications, to home accessibility and other types of assistive technology devices.

Veteran’s Affairs – Prosthetics
VA’s Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services is responsible for the national policies and programs for medical rehabilitation, prosthetic and sensory aids services that promote the health, independence and quality of life for Veterans with disabilities.

Here are some community resources you may not know about….

Center for Independent Living
They provide services like ADA Paratransit, Employment Services & Solutions, Sign Language Interpreting, High School High Tech, Durable Medical Equipment Closet, and Ramp Construction Projects.

Veteran’s Affairs – The Honor Center – Transitional Housing
The HONOR Center (providing Hope, Opportunities, Networking, Outreach and Recovery), located in Gainesville, FL, is a state-of-the-art facility providing comprehensive homeless programs, including Permanent Supported Housing, HUD-VASH, Grant and Per Diem Transitional Housing, Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans, and Veterans Justice Outreach

SmartDriver Rehab @ University of Florida

The ability to operate a vehicle can be integral to a person’s ability to maintain independence and mobility. UF SmartDriver Rehab provides driver rehabilitation services for clients in the greater Gainesville area and throughout north-central Florida.

Insulin Help

The above is an immensely helpful resource for anyone that is struggling to pay the rising costs of insulin.

YOU MAY HAVE OTHER OPTIONS!

Insurance can be restrictive in the sense that there are considerations they do not make –  they do not consider outside usage to be primary indication of need, and some insurances may consider items like scooter a convenience.

If you are a veteran, employed, looking for employment or schooling, one of these programs just may be able to help you.

Emergency Management

The Special Needs Program is a registry of individuals who have special medical needs and may need emergency sheltering and/or evacuation assistance in the event of a disaster. Register today to become part of your county’s Emergency Management Program. This alerts emergency response services so they know you may need help before, during, or after a disaster. Registration is FREE and must be updated YEARLY. GCM is not an emergency service company and cannot assist you during an emergency.

Please click here to be taken to the special needs registry.

Alachua (352-264-6500)
Baker (904-259-6111)
Bradford (904-966-6336)
Citrus (352-746-6555)
Clay (904-284-7703)
Columbia (386-758-1383)
Dixie (352-498-1240)
Gilchrist (386-935-5400)
Hamilton (386-792-6647)
Hernando (352-754-4083)
Lafayette (386-294-1950)
Levy (352-486-5213)
Madison (850-973-3698)
Marion (352-369-8100)
Putnam (386-326-2793)
Sumter (352-569-1660)
Suwannee (386-364-3405)
Taylor (850-838-3575)
Union (386-496-4300)

More information can be found on the official Florida Disaster website.

Special Needs Center

Please note:  The special needs shelter should be used as a place of last refuge.  The evacuee may not receive the same level of care received in the home and the conditions in a shelter may be stressful.

(1)  It is the expectation of the special needs shelter that a caregiver* accompany and remain with the consumer throughout the stay.

(2)  The following is a suggested list of what consumers need to bring to the special needs shelter during an evacuation; the consumer should check with the assigned shelter to confirm the necessary items and/or those items which may not be accommodated:

  • Identification and current address
  • A copy of the consumer’s plan of care, if applicable
  • Medication listing including directions for the dose, frequency, route, time of day and any special considerations for administration; equipment and supplies list including the phone, beeper and emergency numbers for the consumer’s physician, pharmacy and, if applicable, oxygen supplier; necessary medical equipment and supplies; Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO), if applicable
  • Bed sheets, blankets, pillow, folding lawn chair, air mattress
  • Prescription and non-prescription medications needed for at least 5 to 7 days; oxygen for 5 to 7 days, if needed and shelter space allows
  • Special diet items, non-perishable food for 5 to 7 days and 1 gallon of water per person per day
  • Glasses, hearing aids and batteries, prosthetics and any other assistive devices
  • Personal hygiene items for 5 to 7 days (including adult diapers, colostomy supplies, etc.)
  • Extra clothing for 5 to 7 days
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Self-entertainment and recreation items such as books, magazines, quiet games
  • Labeled shoe box or other small closed container to hold the majority of the smaller items listed above to facilitate storage and ease of use

(3)  All persons using the special needs shelters need to know the following:

  • Space allotted for the consumer includes space for the caregiver. A special needs shelter can accommodate only one caregiver at a time; any other family members, friends, etc. should go to a regular shelter.
  • The caregiver must provide his or her own bedding.
  • Caregivers who regularly assist the consumer in the home are expected to continue to provide the same care in the shelter.
  • Service dogs are allowed in the shelter. Check with the local Emergency Management office to see if other pets are permitted.
  • Bring food items as listed above. It is possible only sparse meals will be provided.
  • Smoking is not allowed in the shelter.

* Caregivers may be relatives, household members, guardians, friends, neighbors, employees or volunteers.