Alternative Family Program

Alternative Family Program is based on the therapeutic foster home concept of trained sponsors who open their homes to up to five adults or seniors with mental illness and welcome them into their families. With 190 beds in 75 licensed care homes covering a 36-county area, sponsors provide 24-hour client supervision, care and support in exchange for a monthly stipend.

Contact Information

Alachua / Volusia County
901 NW 8th Ave., C-8
Gainesville, FL 32601
P: 352.262.8551
F: 352.727.4580

Lee County
8695 College Park Way, Suite 2034
Fort Myers, FL 33919
P: 239.450.3612

Pasco County
2425 5116 Trouble Creek Rd.
New Port Richey, FL 34652
P: 727.330.4879

Sarasota County
2250 Gulf Gate Drive, Suite H2
Sarasota, FL 34231
P: 941.780.5933

Broward County
5400 S. University Dr., Suite 507
Davie, FL 33328
P: 954.252.6413
F: 954.680.4110

Polk County
3939 US 98 South, Suite 104
Lakeland, FL 33812
P: 863.614.9156
F: 863.665.8269

A welcoming home for those with mental illness

AFP was bestowed recognition by the American Psychiatric Association for significant achievement with seriously and persistently mentally ill adults, stating that the program was “an outstanding and important model for community mental health.”

“I am very satisfied with the services I have received here. I am very relaxed and content. We are treated like family.”

John R.

“I got to practice the skills that I have learned in the Step Program. I have learned steps to be more independent. I have learned to respect my caregiver and self. ”

Janet R.

“I moved in on November 2, 2006 into the best home that I have had in years. At Keith’s I have my own private room with a fish tank, something I have always wanted. I feel so lucky that I found this place.”

Linda I.

Eligibility Criteria:

19 years or older with a primary DSM IV psychiatric diagnosis on Axis I.
Continent or be able to manage bowel and bladder with light assistance.
Able to ambulate with minimal assistance and have the ability to “self preserve” in the presence of life threatening circumstances.
Competent, or if legally incompetent, client will have a court appointed guardian.
In a state treatment facility or at risk of a higher level of care or psychiatric hospitalization.
Able to function in an unlocked facility, thus not being a danger to self by wandering. In addition, the individual cannot have an episode of elopement within the last 90 days.
Not a danger to self or others, nor can the individual have been seriously disruptive or violent within the last 90 days.
Cannot be suffering from a severely debilitating physical condition (i.e., Alzheimer’s Organic Brain Syndrome, Cancer, and/or Severe Cardiopulmonary Disease) requiring moderate to advanced nursing care or use of technical equipment such as IV’s, oxygen, or monitoring devices which cannot be accommodated by the caregiver.
Must have some form of income, including SSI/SSDI, to pay for cost of care/room and board.

Funding Provided by the Following

Central Florida Behavioral Health Network

Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems

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