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Community ACCESS Network

In an effort to provide improved access to services for our customers, we have developed and are looking for community participants to work with our mutual customers in a "multiple access" approach to self-sufficiency. By maximizing shared resources, we can increase customer access to services needed to strengthen families in the local community by providing different levels of ACCESS involvement.

The Department of Children and Families remains the designated state agency to determine eligibility for program services/benefits.

How a Community ACCESS Network Works

Department's Role ACCESS Site's Role
  • Designate liaison to serve as single point of contact.
  • Provide training to community partner staff as needed.
  • Provide programmatic assistance to community partner staff in their role as an access point.
  • Supply paper applications and literature about programs.
  • Process applications completed at the community partner site, determine eligibility for benefits, and notify applicants of eligibility or ineligibility.
  • Designate liaison to serve as single point of contact.
  • Perform agreed to services.
  • Provide data and pertinent feedback regarding agreed to services.
  • Safeguard client confidential information.

ACCESS Partnership Levels

The vision of the Department of Children and Families ACCESS Florida program is to strengthen Florida's families through private, community, and inter-agency partnerships that promote economic self-sufficiency. Below are levels of services that participants may provide:

Information Site:

  • Provides information and program related materials including a paper application as requested by customers.

Self-Service Site- Information Site plus:  

  • Provides various equipment to customers so they may apply for assistance, check the status of an application or redetermination for benefits, report a change, or open an account on-line.
  • Verifies the identity of an applicant.
  • Provides general assistance in explaining the application process.

Assisted-Service Site- Self Service Site plus:

  • Provides equipment necessary for customers to apply for benefits, check the status of an application or report a change.
  • Provides assistance to the customer to submit a web application.
  • Provides case status information and outstanding information needed to determine eligibility.
Examples of Community ACCESS Network Participants
  • Aging Resource Centers
  • Child Advocacy Centers
  • Community Centers
  • County Public Health Units
  • Domestic Abuse Centers
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • Food Banks
  • Homeless Organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Libraries
  • Public Schools
  • Social Services
  • Workforce One Stops

The Department is committed to investing in services that work, making a positive, measurable difference in people's lives, and helping communities become safe, stable, supportive places for children and families.

To learn more about becoming part of our Community ACCESS Network, locate your area's DCF liaison in the Community ACCESS Liaisons listing.