What Is the Special Needs Registry?
Florida law requires the state Division of Emergency Management, working with local emergency management agencies, to keep a registry of people with special needs (Florida Statutes 252.355). Counties use it to plan shelter, transportation, and evacuation help.
- Statewide online form: the Florida Special Needs Registry, run with the Florida Department of Health.
- Confidential: the statute says registry information is confidential, and the Division of Emergency Management says it is exempt from public records requests.
- Not a guarantee: the state says registering does not automatically qualify you for a special needs shelter and does not guarantee that officials can assist you.
- Home entry: under 252.355, the form lets you choose whether to preauthorize responders to enter your home for a wellness check after a disaster.
Who Should Register?
The Lake County program describes people assigned to a special needs shelter as mostly those who rely on life-sustaining medical equipment and are electrically dependent, plus some who cannot perform daily activities without help. People whose needs exceed shelter care may be assigned to a hospital or other acute care facility. People with special needs can be any age.
How Do You Register in Each County?
| County | How to register | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lake | Online portal (preferred) or the paper registry form (PDF), from the Special Needs Program page. Open to full or part-time Lake residents. The Department of Health in Lake County reviews and mails a decision letter. | 352-742-4850 |
| Sumter | Online, or print the paper form and mail it to ATTN: Special Needs Registry Coordinator, Emergency Management, P.O. Box 98, Bushnell, FL 33513 (Sumter Special Needs page). The Department of Health in Sumter County reviews it. | Citizens' Information Center during emergencies: 352-689-4400 |
| Marion | Through the Marion County Sheriff's Office Special Needs Program. See also the Department of Health in Marion County. | 352-369-8100 |
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Sumter says approved registrants can evacuate to its special needs shelter at the Gloria Rowe Hayward complex, 227 Gloria Rowe Hayward Way, Sumterville, and that a transportation representative will pick up people who need a ride. Sumter may stop processing applications during an emergency, so do not wait. For other counties, find contacts on the state's county emergency management list.
What Happens After You Register?
- The county health department reviews your information and assigns you to a special needs shelter, an acute care facility, or a general public shelter, or advises you to shelter in place.
- In Lake, people assigned to an acute care facility need a pre-admit order from their physician.
- Update your registration when your health, address, or caregiver changes.
Can a Caregiver or Service Animal Come?
Under 252.355, a caregiver may shelter with the person, and service animals are allowed in shelters. Ask your county about pets that are not service animals.
What Should You Bring to a Special Needs Shelter?
Shelters are a last resort and are not hospitals. The Department of Health in Marion County publishes a list of what to bring. In general, plan for medicines, medical supplies and equipment, chargers, ID and insurance cards, bedding, and comfort items, and confirm the list with your county.
Electric utilities must also remind customers about the registry each year under 252.355. If you rely on power for medical equipment, also tell your electric utility.