The Special Needs Program
When an evacuation order is given, your best choice is to travel to an area outside of the anticipated impact area.
The Special Medical and Transportation Needs Program is designed for those who:
- must seek refuge in an emergency public shelter during an evacuation, AND
- have special medical/functional needs OR require government transportation assistance to a public shelter.
The “Special Needs” Registry – Annual Enrollment is REQUIRED
Residents who wish to participate in the Special Needs Program, either for transportation assistance to a public shelter or supplemental medical assistance in a public shelter during a disaster, must enroll and update registration information annually prior to hurricane season (June 1st), even if there have been no status changes.
Enroll On-Line – use the Florida Department of Health web-based secure registration tool – individuals can self-register or have their caregiver or a relative register for them. Residents with questions about the Special Needs Registry may contact the health department via email at SNR@FLHealth.gov
All “medical needs” registrations will be confidentially reviewed by a public health nurse to determine if each enrollee’s needs can be met in the special needs shelter. Enrollees may be contacted directly by the reviewing nurse to discuss their care needs. Addresses of enrollees requiring transportation to a public shelter during an evacuation will be mapped to determine bus pick-up routes prior to disaster impact.
