As a service for our patients and others in the community, we have compiled a list of frequently-requested resources that are available in Gainesville/Alachua County.
These organizations are not affiliated with or endorsed by UF or the UF College of Dentistry.
(Updated February 6, 2025)
Mental Health, Behavioral and Substance Abuse
Alachua County Crisis Center: 24/7 counseling via phone, face-to-face crisis intervention, support groups, community education, victims’ services and rape crisis counseling.
- 352-264-6789 | 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville 32641 | Website
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare: outpatient individual and family counseling, outpatient psychiatric services, inpatient/outpatient substance abuse counseling services.
- 352-374-5600 | 4300 SW 13th St, Gainesville 32608 | Website
Psychiatry Night at The Equal Access Clinic: psychiatric medication management.
- 352-273-9425
- Eastside Clinic: fourth Tuesday of every month | 410 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville 32601
- Main Street Clinic: select Mondays | 1707 N Main Street, Gainesville 32609 | Website
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): free mental health support, and resources.
- 850-671-4445 (this is not a crisis line) | PO Box 302, Ocala 34478 | Website
Food/Basic Needs
Department of Children and Families, Economic Self Sufficiency Program: food assistance, food stamps, temporary cash assistance, Medicaid and refugee assistance.
- 866-762-2237 | Website
Bread of the Mighty – Emergency Food Programs: information for free groceries or a hot meal at a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter.
- 352-336-0839 | 325 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville 32601 | Website
Assurance Wireless and Safelink: free cell phones to individuals receiving assistance through government programs.
Goodwill Industries: clothing, furniture, and assistance with finding jobs.
- 3520 SW 34th St., Gainesville 32608 Phone: 352-376-9041
- 2624 NW 13th St., Gainesville 32609 Phone: 352-378-4449
- Website
Haven Hospice Attic: free clothing with a referral letter.
- 300 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville 32608 | 352-378-7484 | Website
Alachua County Community Support Services (ACOSS): utilities, rent/mortgage, animal services fee waivers, indigent burials or cremations, and RTS day bus passes.
- 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641 | 352-264-6750 | Website
Community Action Agency: emergency financial assistance (utilities/rent) and financial programs.
- 411 N Main Street, Gainesville 32601 | 352-373-7667 | Website
Library Partnership Resource Center: resources/referrals for families, clothing, tutoring, food, and assistance with applications to government programs, computer/internet access and a diaper bank.
- 912 NE 16th Avenue, Gainesville 32601 | 352-334-0160
- 2801 East University Avenue, Gainesville 32641 | 352-334-0456
Salvation Army: food, utility, clothing, household assistance and an Angel Tree program.
- 639 E. University Avenue, Gainesville 32601 | 352-376-1743 | Website
St. Francis House: emergency shelter for families, meals, and provides assistance from a case manager.
- 413 S. Main Street, Gainesville 32601 | 352-378-9079 | Website
SWAG Family Resource Center: food pantry, after school tutoring, summer programs for kids, health and exercise programs, free notary services, counseling services, parenting support, clothing closet and social services.
- 807 SW 64th Terrace, Gainesville 32607 | 352-505-6823 | Website
United Way of Central Florida: resources for education, health and financial stability.
- 6031 NW 1st Place, Gainesville 32607-2025 | 352-331-2800 | Website
United Way 211: human and social services 24/7 with information and referrals to available community resources, crisis intervention and care coordination for Veterans.
Child Welfare Services
Child Protection Team: medical diagnosis and evaluations, child and family assessments.
- 1699 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville 32608 | 352-627-5077 | Website
Department of Children and Families: abuse hotline, adult protective services, background screening, child care/welfare, community-based care, human trafficking, independent living services, mental health, refugee services, and substance abuse.
- Local office: 352-415-6169 | Website
- The Florida Abuse Hotline (to refer concerns of abuse/neglect): 800-962-2873
Partnership for Strong Families: child welfare services to protect children from abuse, neglect, and abandonment, establishing safe and permanent homes with their own families, partner families or adoptive parents.
- 5950 NW 1st Place, Suite 300, Gainesville 32607 | 352-244-1500 | Website
Child Advocacy Center: free counseling for victims of child abuse.
- 500 East University Avenue, Gainesville 32601 | 352-376-9161 | Website
Medical Resources
Access Florida: apply for Medicaid.
- 800-300-4323 | Website
Alachua County Health Department: family planning, medical and dental care.
- 224 SE 24th Street, Gainesville 32641 | 352-334-7900 | Website
Equal Access Clinic: primary medical care, social work/psychology consultations and occupational therapy.
- 352-273-9425 | Website
Florida KidCare: health insurance for children from birth through age 18.
- 888-540-5437 | Website
Helping Hands Medical Clinic: medical services to the poor and the homeless.
- 352-519-5542 | 509 NE 1st Street, Gainesville 32601 | Website
Mobile Outreach Clinic: free health care in low income neighborhoods and rural areas.
- Clinic: 352-262-0162 | Office: 352-273-5329 | Website
UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities: support and assistance with autism and related disabilities.
- 352-273-0581 | 2046 NE Waldo Road Suite 3200, Gainesville 32609 | Website
Employment and Adult Education
Alachua County Adult Education Program: GED classes, adult high school, adult basic education, literacy training, and English for speakers of other languages.
- 352-955-7300 | 620 E University Ave, Gainesville 32601 | Website
Gainesville Opportunity Center: help adults with a chronic mental health condition rejoin the community and find jobs.
- 352-224-5523 | 1210 NW 14th Ave, Gainesville 32601 | Website
Florida/Works/One-Stop Career Center: career counseling and workshops.
- 352-955-2245 or 877-872-5627 | Website
Senior Care
Elder Options: assistance in finding appropriate care options for elderly and disabled persons.
800-330-4125 | Website
Senior Recreation Center: programs, activities, and events for seniors.
352-265-9040 | 5701 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville 32653 | Website
ElderCare of Alachua County: home delivered meals, transportation, homemaking services, support for severe low vision or blindness, and community based services.
352-265-9040 | Website
Domestic Violence
Peaceful Paths: emergency shelter, transitional housing, crisis hotline, victim advocacy, children’s programming, education and training, counseling and support groups.
- 201 E University, Gainesville | 352-377-8255 (Helpline) & 352-377-5690 (Outreach Center) | Website
- Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline: 800-500-1119
Child Advocacy Center: free counseling for victims of child abuse.
- 352-376-9161 | 500 East University Avenue, Gainesville 32601 | Website