Sunland Center

Sunland Center

Sunland Center has shined as a leader among the Developmental Services Institutions, providing residents with quality care and services. This facility, situated on beautiful pecan grove acreage in Marianna, offers a humane, clean, professionally staffed, safe and caring environment for its severely developmentally disabled and psychiatrically diagnosed residents.

Sunland is a therapeutic environment, with a talented, capable staff of skilled nurses, conscientious physicians, trained behavioral specialists, behavioral analysts, dietary specialists and other staff members. The center offers specialized programs for learning and using vocational skills, an autism program, Therapeutic Equine Program at the center’s ranch facilities, an Environmentally Engineered Developmental System for residents who have been arrested for serious crimes but are incapable of participating in standard legal proceedings, individualized resident support plans, geriatric patient care, and other programs geared toward individuals’ needs.

The center has partnered with Florida A&M University to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy services, and medical specialists provide in-house services in general, podiatry, neurology, dermatology, internal medicine, gastroenterological, gynecological and psychiatric fields.

Recreational opportunities abound for Sunland’s residents. These include work programs in landscaping, plant nursery and other fields; social groups, such as Coffee Club and a fine arts club; a farm; a safe campus; festivals; holiday decorations; a family atmosphere; recreational facilities; beach vacations; and organized sports.

Intramural sports are at the heart of Sunland’s recreational activities. The recreation department has a bowling league, intramural sports, a swim team, trail rides, and other activities. The Sunland Supersonics won the state basketball championship, state title for volleyball and state softball championship this past year. Sunland also sponsors the Area 2 games for Special Olympics, and many residents compete in volleyball, track & field, bocce, cycling and more.

The dedicated long-term staff members work to make Sunland home for all residents and ensure their safety and well-being. As one Sunland doctor explains, “Sunland is a gem. It’s a fine example of Floridians doing things right for Floridians!”