About

About the Project

The Florida Social Services Guide to Public Assistance Agencies and Employment Directory is a statewide reference tool designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals reentering society after incarceration. The guide assembles critical information from federal, state, and local governmental offices, as well as religious and private organizations that provide housing, food assistance, employment support, healthcare access, mental health services, substance-use treatment, and legal aid. It is intended to be used by prison chaplains, reentry coordinators, homeless outreach teams, case managers, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies seeking reliable starting points for referrals. The goal of the guide is practical: to help people locate services that support stability, health, and long-term reintegration. We recognize that access to accurate information can shape outcomes, including the ability to secure housing and employment and, for formerly incarcerated individuals, reduce recidivism.

This project was originally initiated by Andy Vissicchio, whose long-term work with the Order of Malta and prison ministries helped identify the need for a centralized Florida-focused directory. Since 2014, students at Barry University have gathered, reviewed, and organized the resource information under the direction of Dr. Laura Finley, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology. The guide has been developed as a service-learning and social justice initiative, connecting academic work to real-world community needs. The most recent updates for this edition were completed in Spring 2026.

Reliability, Scope, and Verification

This guide is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every resource in Florida. Students involved in the project used best efforts to identify services that are commonly needed and to review listings for credibility and usefulness. Because contact information, eligibility requirements, and service availability can change, users should verify details directly with organizations before relying on services. For resources not listed for a specific county, a recommended starting point is Florida 211, which can help direct individuals to local providers and coordinated entry points.

Questions, Corrections, and Updates

If you have questions about this guide, would like to suggest additions, or notice information that needs updating, please contact:

Dr. Laura Finley, PhD
Professor of Criminology and Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences
Barry University
Email: lfinley@barry.edu
Office: 305-899-3412
Cell: 954-592-7893