Helpful Resources in Polk County
The Law Office of the Public Defender has compiled these resources to serve as general information. We do not guarantee that any service on this page is current or up to date. This list does not indicate an endorsement of any kind, and it does not represent all available community resources. Moreover, inclusion on this list does not indicate any type of relationship of any kind between the Public Defender and the service provider. Please contact the service provider directly to learn more about available services before traveling to any location. Where possible, clicking on the provider’s title below will link to their website. Certain resources listed on the pages for Highlands and Hardee may also serve Polk.
Hotlines
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8
Mental Health Hotline: Peace River has a 24-hour crisis line (863) 519-3744; Text “Talk” to (863) 204-3443 to text hotline instead of calling.
Shelter & Emergency Housing Needs: Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Local Shelters & Housing Assistance
Shelter & Emergency Housing Needs: Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211
Homeless Coalition of Polk County, 5304 S Florida Ave, Suite 406, Lakeland, FL 33813, (863) 687-8386, info@polkhomeless.org
Talbot House Ministries, 814 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 687-8475
Lighthouse Ministries, 215 E Magnolia St., Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 687-4076, info@lighthousemin.org
Transportation
Citrus Connection (Lakeland Area Mass Transit System; can apply for a free, unlimited bus pass), 855-765-5287
We Care of Central Florida, 205 E Farnol St SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880, (863) 662-4227, https://wecarecentralflorida.org/
Mental Health Services
Peace River Center, 1255 Golfview Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 and 1835 Gilmore Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805, and 715 N Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 248-3311
Peace River Center, 715 N Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 248-3311
Winter Haven Hospital Behavioral Health, 1201 First St S, Winter Haven, FL 33880, (863) 294-7062
Tri-County Human Services, Various Locations, (863) 709-9392
Tri-County Human Services Rasuw Center for Women (Serves Polk, Highlands and Hardee County), 2725 Hwy. 60 East, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 533-5860
Substance Abuse Services
WhiteSands Alcohol & Drug Rehab, 5135 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809, (863) 209-7451
Peace River Center, 1835 Gilmore Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 248-3311
Lakeland Comprehensive Treatment Center, 1510 Commercial Park Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801, (877) 320-2475
Tri-County Human Services, DETOX Unit, 2725 Highway 60 E, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 533-4139
Tri-County Human Services Rasuw Center for Women (Serves Polk, Highlands and Hardee County), 2725 Hwy. 60 East, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 533-5860
Tri-County Human Services Winter Haven Outpatient Clinic, 650 Ave K NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881, 863-294-7900
Health Services
Polk Community Health Care, 2135 Marshall Edwards Drive, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 533-1111
Florida Department of Health (Polk County), (863) 519-7900
Financial Resources
MyACCESS (can apply for Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance or Optional State Supplementation), (850) 300-4323
Consumer Credit Counseling (800) 720-9537
Florida Department of Revenue (Child Support Program) (800) 622-5437
Supplemental Food Assistance
MyACCESS (can apply for Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance or Optional State Supplementation), (850) 300-4323
Cutting Edge Ministries (Food Bank) (863) 773-2484
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), 1290 Golfview Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, (800) 342-3556
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
Peace River Center Domestic Violence Hotline & Shelter, (863) 413-2700
Peace River Center Sexual Assault Helpline, (863) 413-2707
Civil Legal Assistance
Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society, 550 E Davidson St., Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 519-5663, intake@hofla.org
Florida Rural Legal Services, 1321 E. Memorial Blvd, Unit 101, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 688-7376
American Bar Association Free Legal Answers (Quick, free online civil legal help)
Pro-Se Family Law Clinics Held Monthly at the Polk County Courthouse, contact the law library for more information at (863) 534-4013
Pregnancy & New Mom Support
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), 1290 Golfview Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, (800) 342-3556
Florida Department of Health Family Health Line, 1-800-451-BABY (2229)
Florida Department of Health Polk County Pregnancy Care, (863) 519-7910
Healthy Families Polk, 2135 Marshall Edwards Drive, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 780-5346
New Life Center for Family Preservation, 716 E Bella Vista St, Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 812-2351
LifeChoice Pregnancy Center of Winter Haven, 235 E Central Avenue, Winter Haven, FL 33880, (863) 293-0955
Suncoast Community Health Centers – Women’s Care of Lakeland, 1729 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 577-1956
Lakeland Regional Health (pregnancy and newborn care app, offers free childbirth classes, breastfeeding support and more)
Disability Assistance
Agency for Persons with Disabilities, 1-866-273-2273
Veterans
Polk County Veteran Services, 1290 Golfview Ave, Bartow, FL 33831, (863) 534-5220, can call or fill out a request form here
Lakeland VA Clinic, 2080 Meadowland Park Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803, (863) 701-2470
Veterans Administration Health Benefits, (800) 698-2411
Re-Entry
Tri-County Human Services STARR (substance treatment advocacy recovery and re-entry), (863) 709-9392
Tri-County Human Services Helping HANDS/HATCH (focuses on inmates with two or more arrests in the past 12 months AND are also receiving psychotropic medications while in jail. Participation is voluntary), (863) 640-0585
The Transition House Inc., 550 N Restwood Ave, Bartow, FL 33830, (863) 733-4181
Agape Halfway House (for women), 759 Carroll Ave SW Winter Haven, FL 33880, (863) 299-7003