Special Needs Shelter Program

Okeechobee County has established a Special Needs Shelter Program to provide assistance for those with certain medical problems during a major emergency.

Emergency Management is responsible for maintaining the client rosters, operational logistics, and coordination of the Special Needs Shelter. Space at these shelters is limited so registration is required. A person with special needs may be any age.

To register please submit a completed registration form, and submit to Emergency Management for review in coordination with the Florida Department of Health - Okeechobee.

 Register Online at: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

• Special Needs Shelter —The Special Needs Shelter is a facility with nurses on staff.  It has auxiliary electrical power, is wind resistant, and is not flood-prone. The shelter is not a medical facility and provides only limited services and supervision. The shelter does not provide medication, dialysis, oxygen or oxygen concentrators. This type of shelter has limited capacity and therefore requires pre-registration. Prioritization for the special needs shelter is based upon the following eligibility guidelines:
  
  
  
  1.  A person requiring oxygen that can be manually supplied.
     
     
  2.  A person medically dependent on uninterrupted electricity for therapies including, but not limited to: oxygen,  nebulizer, CPAP/BiPAP, and feeding tubes. NOTE: Persons requiring a ventilator, and/or those with multiple special needs requiring a higher level of care may be referred to a skilled medical facility.
     
     
  3.  A person with mental or cognitive limitations of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia requiring assistance of a full-time caregiver. NOTE: The caregiver is required to remain with them for the duration of the shelter event.
     
     
• General Population Shelter — General Population Shelters provide a safe haven in the event persons must evacuate their homes, and have no other alternative. Persons evacuating to a general population shelter should bring their own supplies such as blankets, toiletries/hygiene items, medications and clothing. All shelters in Okeechobee County meet the ADA requirements.

Printed forms may also be picked up at any of the following locations:

The Special Needs Application form is considered and treated as a confidential medical document. These records do not fall under public records laws.  Contact our office for more information on this program.

Printable Form: OKEE SPNS REG FORM ENG

All printed completed applications can be mailed or hand-delivered to: