The Department of Children and Families will hold its first local adult services fair on Oct. 4 with representation from around 30 vendors.

Department of Children and Families Suncoast Region Communications Director Terri Durdaller said they wanted to hold the fair because it is important for the community to know and understand what services the different agencies can provide.

“That is the main reason we decided to put together this fair,” she said. “This is an opportunity to bring together a lot of different agencies who collaborate on adult services.”

In addition, the fair will provide individuals with the opportunity to build relationships with some of the leaders in Southwest Florida that help senior citizens. Durdaller said some of the vendors will include AARP, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, Shelter for Abuse Women and Children, Agency for Healthcare Administration and Division of Blind Services.

The fair will be held at 2295 Victoria Ave. in Fort Myers in room 123 from noon-4 p.m.

The Florida Department of Children and Families investigated more than 1,900 cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly, disabled and vulnerable adults in Southwest Florida last year.

“Every year we do get calls into our Florida abuse hotline and we investigate those calls,” Durdaller said. She said it is important for individuals to know that the hotline is not just for child protective services.

“It is also for adult protective services,” Durdaller said, adding that individuals are encouraged to call the state abuse hotline for senior citizens who are abused or neglected.

The state abuse hotline is 800-962-2873.