Resources
Autism Spectrum Disorder & Safety
Safety is one of the most worrisome issues for parents of children with autism. Safety risks may become more magnified in children with autism due to their lack of awareness about their surroundings, limited communication, and sensory issues. At CARD-USF we provide resources focused on safety issues in general and by topic.
Your safety strategies begin with a call to CARD-USF!
Safety Resources Spotlight
CARD Safety Resources & Materials
CARD-USF has developed several resource guides and social narratives for a wide variety of safety topics. Check them out in our downloadable resource library!
View CARD Resources
Safety Links & Resources
Additional Safety Resources can be found by selecting the ‘Safety’ drop-down from 'Filter: Category' in the directory linked below.
View External Resources
Safety Programs & Law Enforcement
Wandering away from home, school or in the community can be dangerous for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. SafetyNet® Tracking Systems and Project Lifesaver are resources to help locate individuals who have wandered and may become lost. The best outcome is to prevent unsafe wandering whenever possible. Please visit our safety resources https://usf.to/cardautismsafety and create your own, or request a CARD Safety Kit (based on availability). CARD-USF is available to provide consultation with families to prevent unsafe wandering.
If you would like to enroll in SafetyNet® Tracking Systems, Project Lifesaver, or the program offered in your community, please contact the law enforcement lead in your city/county for more information. If you would like to provide financial support or learn more about bringing a program to your community, please contact the organization serving your area or CARD at crover@usf.edu. Check with your local organization for enrollment requirements and fees. Technical assistance is also available for law enforcement agencies at no charge.
Cape Coral Police Department
1100 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Patricia Lucas, Community Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (239) 574-0653
Email: plucas@capecoral.net
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
7474 Utilities Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33982
Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Tammy Wilkie, PL and Project Take Me Home Coordinator
Phone: (941) 575-5345
Email: communityaffairs@ccso.net
Red Dot Medical Information Program
Contact: Dee Hawkins-Garland, Public Relations/Education Coordinator
Email: dee.hawkins@charlottefl.com
Phone: 941-833-5610
Clearwater Police Department
645 Pierce St.
Clearwater, FL 33756
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Detective Sergeant Corey Lenczden
Phone: (727) 562-4385
Email: Corey.Lenczden@MyClearwater.com
Collier County Sheriff's Office
3301 Tamiami Trail East, Bldg. J
Naples, FL 34112
Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Jackie Borchers, CARE Program Coordinator
Phone: 239-252-0231
Email: seniors@colliersheriff.org
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, Florida 34266
SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Captain Andrew Proudfit
Law Enforcement Commander
Phone: (863) 491-6716 X2242
Email: aproudfit@desotosheriff.org
Glades County Sheriff’s Office
1297 East State Road 78
Moore Haven, FL 33471
Hardee County Sheriff’s Office
900 East Summit St
Wauchula, FL 33873
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Lt. Dave Drake
Law Enforcement Commander
Email: ddrake@hardeeso.com
Phone: (863) 773-0304
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office
101 S.Bridge Street
Labelle, FL 33935
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
434 Fernleaf Ave.
Sebring, Florida 33870
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Jake Riley
Phone: (863) 402-7200
Email: jriley@highlandssheriff.org
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
2310 N Falkenburg Rd
Tampa, FL 33619
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: 877-434-6384
- Safe Encounter Registration Website
- Website Directions *Scroll to Bottom of Safe Encounter Registration per Example Image.
- Direcciones del sitio web *Desplácese hasta la parte inferior del registro de Encuentros seguros según la imagen de ejemplo.
Lake Placid Police Department
8 N. Oak Ave.
Lake Placid, FL 33852
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Sergeant Stuart Troutman or Lieutenant Mark Schneider
Phone: (863) 699-3757
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
14750 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.
Fort Myers, FL 33912-4406
ReUnite Program in partnership with the United Way
Contact: Amy Singer or Hannah Pelle
Phone: 239-433-2000
Email: reunite@unitedwaylee.org
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
600 301 Blvd W #202
Bradenton, FL 34205
SafetyNet Tracking Systems
Contact: Lt. Mark Morie
Phone: (941) 747-3011 ext. 2500
Email: mark.morie@manateesheriff.com
Take Me Home Project: https://www.manateesheriff.com/programs/take_me_home_project.php
Manatee County Search and Rescue
7006 122nd Ave East
Parrish, FL 34219
Attn: Project Lifesaver
Contact: Sheena Leggett, PLS Administrator
Phone: (941) 254-6490 Ext. 104
Email: S.Leggett@ManateeCountySAR.org
Naples Police Department
355 Riverside Circle
Naples, FL
Attn: Project Lifesaver
Phone: (239) 213-4853
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
8700 Citizens Dr
New Port Richey, FL 34654
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Angie Riley
Coordinator, SafetyNet® Tracking Systems
Pasco County Sheriff's Office
Phone: 727-844-7781
Email: ariley@pascosheriff.org
Autism Card program, contact Detective Shannon Henrici at PSOCares@pascosheriff.org
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
10750 Ulmerton Rd
Largo, FL. 33778
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: (877) 434-6384
Administration: (727) 582-6200
Web: www.pcsoweb.com
Contact: Sergeant Edie Darling (727) 582-5734
Email: edarling@pcsonet.com
https://pcsoweb.com/take-me-home
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Project Safe & Sound
Autism Decal Pogram
Contact: autismdecal@polksheriff.org
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Downtown: 2071 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34237
South Office: 4531 State Road 776
Venice, FL 34293
Sarasota Police Department
2099 Adams Lane
Sarasota, FL 34237
Attn: Project Lifesaver
Contact: Officer Robbins, Project Lifesaver Coordinator
Phone: (941) 263-6056
Amber Williams - Amber.Williams@sarasotaFL.gov
https://projectlifesaver.org/
Tampa Police Department
411 North Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: 877-434-6384
Help Us, Help You Program
Contact: Officer Gregory Cotner (Gregory.Cotner@tampagov.net)
Phone: (813) 276-3536
Temple Terrace Police Department
Temple Terrace Community Programs
Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: (877) 434-6384
