Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF

What Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF does

Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF (CARD-USF) is a community-based support program housed within the University of South Florida's College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Department of Child & Family Studies, in Tampa, Florida. Founded in 1993, it operates as one of seven regional CARD centers across Florida, serving a 14-county region in southwest Florida (Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota). Its mission is to provide support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities, serving individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder, Dual Sensory Impairment, Fragile-X Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, and young children with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

CARD-USF delivers a portfolio of free programs and resources: individualized Family & Individual Guidance Services via phone, video chat, email, in-home visits, and community meetings; Professional Training & Consultation for schools, agencies, businesses, and first responders; the Autism Friendly Business Initiative that helps businesses create inclusive environments through staff training and Distract Pak sensory relief kits; safety programs (Safety Kits, Water Guardian materials, Poison Safety Magnets) in partnership with law enforcement; the Jean MacNeill Inspiration Library and Autism eLibrary (on OverDrive/Libby) of curated autism-specific materials; an Out-of-School Time directory of swim lessons and summer camps; Support Groups across the region; and Spanish-language services including La Hora del Cafecito. The organization employs approximately 29 staff, led by Executive Director Beth Boone, Ph.D., with clinically credentialed consultants holding Ph.D., M.Ed., M.A., BCBA, and MPH credentials.

The business model is government-funded: CARD-USF receives an annual grant from the Florida Department of Education, supplemented by Florida Autism License Plate program revenue and donations routed through funds such as the Karen A. Berkman Autism & Innovation Fund, the Launch Success Fund, and the general endowment, with annual fundraising events like Fiesta by the Bay and Cycling for Autism. All services are delivered at no cost to constituents — no insurance is billed and there is no commercial revenue. There are no private equity or venture capital investors; ownership and governance rest with the University of South Florida and the State of Florida. Distribution is via the Tampa headquarters plus two satellite offices (FGCU in Fort Myers and the Heartland office) and a self-service online registration model, with services delivered wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies, or businesses are located across the 14-county region.

Name

Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF

Legal name

University of South Florida

Website

https://card-usf.fmhi.usf.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF is a state-funded community program within the University of South Florida that delivers free autism and disability support services, training, and resources to individuals, families, schools, and businesses across 14 counties in southwest Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (61171), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Service & Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations Management (EDALAGAK), Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Disability resource coordination
• Community-based programs
• Family guidance services
• Professional training consultation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Florida Department of Education Grant: Primary funding through annual state grant from the Florida Department of Education. Services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies or businesses are located.
2. Autism License Plate Program: Digital library funded through the Florida Autism License Plate program revenue.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Donations support resources and projects including outreach materials, digital resources, family development projects, safety kits, and classroom support. Various funds including Karen A. Berkman Autism & Innovation Fund, Launch Success Fund, and general endowment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CARD-USF is a community-based program that delivers free support, training, consultation, and resource referrals to individuals with autism and related disabilities, their families, schools, and professionals across 14 counties in southwest Florida. Core offerings include family and individual guidance, professional training, the Autism Friendly Business Initiative, the Jean MacNeill Inspiration Library and Autism eLibrary, out-of-school time programming directories, safety resources, and support groups. Services are delivered wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies, or businesses are located, with no cost to constituents.

Product overview

CARD-USF is a community-based support program funded by the Florida Department of Education, providing free services across 14 counties in southwest Florida to individuals with autism and related disabilities, their families, and professionals. The organization operates a comprehensive service portfolio organized around its core offerings: the Autism eLibrary and Jean MacNeill Inspiration Library for educational resources; Out-of-School Time programs for swim lessons and summer camps; Training Videos and Professional Training for education; Support Groups for community connection; the Autism Friendly Business Initiative for community inclusion; and Family Guidance Services for individualized support. Safety Resources including Water Guardian materials and Safety Kits address critical safety concerns. Annual fundraising events including Fiesta by the Bay and Cycling for Autism support program sustainability. All services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals, schools, agencies, or businesses are located.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jean MacNeill Inspiration Library: A uniquely curated collection of materials focused on autism spectrum disorders and surrounding areas of interest, including books, multimedia kits, DVDs, periodicals, and a children's section with books, games, and toys.
• Autism eLibrary
• Autism Friendly Business Initiative

Products and services

• Family & Individual Guidance Services Consultant support delivered via phone, video chat, email, in-home visits, or community meetings to help families understand autism diagnoses, implement evidence-based practices, create visual supports, address safety concerns, provide school observations, and assist with transitions to adulthood. Free for registered CARD-USF constituents.
• Professional Training & Consultation Training and consultation services for schools, community agencies, organizations, businesses, and support groups covering autism awareness, classroom strategies, employment support, first responder training, and healthcare worker training. Includes technical assistance for educators, childcare providers, employers, and businesses.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Florida Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder through annual state grant. CARD is a community-based program funded by FDOE to provide free support services across 14 counties in southwest Florida.
• University of South Florida (College of Behavioral & Community Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARD-USF is housed within USF's College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Department of Child & Family Studies. Website maintained by Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.
• SafetyNet Tracking SystemssupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing tracking systems to help locate individuals with autism who have wandered. Available through multiple law enforcement agencies in the service region.
• Project LifesaversupportingTechnology or IntegrationSafety program partnership with law enforcement agencies for locating individuals who have wandered. Technical assistance available for law enforcement at no charge.
• Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCIC maintains the CARD-USF website and is a related center within USF's College of Behavioral & Community Sciences focused on inclusive communities.
• Autism License Plate ProgramsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding source for digital library. Revenue from specialty license plate sales supports autism programs including CARD's eLibrary collection.
• Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies (County Sheriffs, Police Departments)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with law enforcement across 14 counties for safety programs including SafetyNet tracking, Project Lifesaver, Take Me Home programs, and autism decal programs. Includes Cape Coral PD, Charlotte County SO, Collier County SO, Clearwater PD, DeSoto County SO, Hillsborough County SO, Lee County SO, Manatee County SO, Pasco County SO, Pinellas County SO, Polk County SO, Sarasota County SO, Tampa PD, and others.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)supportingOthersCARD-USF references CDC ADDM Network data on autism prevalence (1 in 31 children) for educational purposes and community awareness.
• BaycareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiesta by the Bay 2026 sponsor.
• Acorn HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiesta by the Bay 2026 sponsor.
• Glazer Children's MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiesta by the Bay 2026 sponsor.
• Full Spectrum ABAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiesta by the Bay 2026 sponsor. Michelle Vinokurov, Constituency Board Chair, also serves as blogger and advocate with Full Spectrum ABA.
• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's GymminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFiesta by the Bay 2026 sponsor. Valerie Bailey, Constituency Board member, owns We Rock the Spectrum - Tampa franchise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CARD at University of Central Florida (UCF CARD): Regional CARD center serving the central Florida region. Same FDOE funding model, same service mandate, sister program under the statewide CARD structure.
• CARD at University of Florida (UF CARD): One of the seven Florida regional CARD centers, operating under the same FDOE mandate structure as CARD-USF but serving a different geographic region (north central Florida). Closest structural analog: same funding model, same statutory role, sister program.
• CARD at Florida State University (FSU CARD): Another of the seven regional CARD centers, housed at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Directly comparable state-funded regional autism support program operating under identical statutory framework.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks: Large national autism advocacy and resource organization providing toolkits, advocacy, and grants. Comparable as a free resource provider for families and professionals, though focused on advocacy and research funding rather than direct regional service delivery.
• Easterseals: Large national disability services nonprofit providing autism services, therapies, and family support across many states. Comparable as a multi-service disability support organization, though its clinics deliver billable therapy unlike CARD-USF's free model.
• May Institute: National nonprofit providing autism and behavioral services across the lifespan through schools, residences, and clinics. Comparable in lifespan support approach but operates a clinical model rather than CARD-USF's free resource-and-referral model.
• Autism Society of America: National nonprofit providing autism information, referral, advocacy, and community support. Comparable in mission (free resources, support, advocacy) but operates at national scope rather than regional, and is not state-funded.

Others

• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): National nonprofit focused on applied autism research and dissemination of evidence-based information to families and professionals. Comparable as a provider of free autism-related education and resources, though its research-publication orientation differs from CARD-USF's direct service model.

Emerging players

• The Autism Community in Action (TACA): National nonprofit providing free education, resources, and support group infrastructure to families affected by autism. Comparable in providing free family support and community programming, with overlapping offerings in support groups and educational content.
• Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC): USF-based center also housed within the College of Behavioral & Community Sciences; overlaps with CARD-USF on disability inclusion mission and maintains the CARD-USF website. Highly adjacent enabling organization with shared institutional infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl6kOiEvH9YamMuWIyeyZdA
• Facebookfacebook.com/cardusf
• Instagraminstagram.com/card_usf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-autism-&-related-disabilities-at-usf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF