FDLRS/Miccosukee’s Community Resource Guide For students with special needs and their families Serving Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Taylor & Wakulla Family Resources for Exceptional Education* *Including sliding scale fees Developed by 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc. 2014-15 Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System Miccosukee Associate Center Serving Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties Our mission: Supporting success of students with special needs achieved through the provision of quality and innovative professional development, resources, services, and connections with families, educators, community members and agencies. Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a statewide network of associate and specialized centers that provides support services to exceptional student education programs. Nineteen FDLRS Associate Centers serve Florida’s 67 school districts. The four central functions are: Child Find * Parent Services * Human Resource Development * Technology 3955 West Pensacola Street Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Phone: (850) 487-2630 Fax: (850) 921-4097 Website: www.fdlrsmicco.org 2-1-1 Big Bend - June 2014 FDLRS Resource Guide i Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Parents of children with special needs often have many questions as they search for assistance. Navigating the system and finding resources to help your child can often seem overwhelming. Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and resources that can answer each question. We hope this information will assist you in meeting the needs of your child and facilitate your active participation in your child’s education and healthy development. 1. What is typical development for children birth through 5? a. Milestone Moments: Provides developmental milestones for children 0-5 years old. This informative presentation was developed in the Miami area. Please see question #2 for local contact information. i. http://flfcic.fmhi.usf.edu/docs/CONECTAR_Milestones_English.pdf b. CDC Learn the Signs: Developmental milestones for children 0-5 years old. Free informational materials for parents. i. http://www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/actearly/milestones/index.html c. Zero to Three (0-36 months): Developmental milestones for young children 0-36 months. i. http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/areas-of-expertise/free-parent- brochures-and-guides/age-based-handouts.html 2. Where can I find help for my young child (birth through 5) if I am concerned about development? a. Children's Home Society/Early Steps provides a comprehensive system of early intervention services for children 0-3 years of age with a developmental delay or established condition. If you have a concern they can screen your child at no cost. i. http://www.floridahealth.gov/alternatesites/cms- kids/families/early_steps/early_steps.html b. FDLRS/Miccosukee Center provides assistance with the screening and evaluation of all children 0-22 years of age, who have or are at risk of developing special or unique needs. i. Child Find phone number: (850) 487-2630; http://www.fdlrsmicco.org c. The Central Directory number will provide information for finding referral sources in your area. i. (800) 654-4440; http://www.centraldirectory.org/ 2-1-1 Big Bend - June 2014 FDLRS Resource Guide ii 3. What is a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and the problem solving /intervention team? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Pages 9-10, 67-73): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. The Florida's Multi-Tiered System of Supports Parent Resources Website provides visitors with National Tools, Florida's Tools, Videos, and "Myths and Truths" for the MTSS process. i. http://www.florida-rti.org/parentResources/index.htm c. FDLRS/Miccosukee Parent Services Wiki: This website is continually updated to provide visitors with the most current information. This page will provide you with information concerning the MTSS Process. i. http://fdlrsmiccoparentservices.wikispaces.com/MTSS- MultiTiered+System+of+Support 4. What is Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and the ESE Process? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Pages 11-13, 15-17): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) Resource and Information Center (BRIC) provides parents, educators, and other Floridians with access to information about exceptional student education. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESE2011.pdf c. FDLRS/Miccosukee parent services wiki: What is Exceptional Student Education? Acronyms used in ESE and some Disability Fact Sheets can be found here. i. http://fdlrsmiccoparentservices.wikispaces.com/Getting+Started+with+ES E 2-1-1 Big Bend - June 2014 FDLRS Resource Guide iii 5. What is an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), and how can family members prepare for an IEP Meeting? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Pages 5, 19- 25, 56-60, 87, 121-126): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. Getting Ready for Your Child’s IEP Meeting. A brochure published by BEESS, in collaboration the Florida PTA that briefly defines the IEP and how to prepare for an IEP meeting. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/iep-card.pdf c. Developing Quality Individual Educational Plans: A Guide for Instructional Personnel and Families, published by FLDOE BEESS to provide information that will support the development of quality individual educational plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/qualityIEPs.pdf 6. What are accommodations/modifications and 504 plans? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Pages 22, 118, 124,125): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. Guide to Selecting Accommodations (2013): This guide is written to help IEP teams use a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to select, implement and evaluate accommodations. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/SelectingAccommodations.pdf c. Guide to Selecting Accommodations for Computer Based Assessment and End of Course Exams: This document is written to assist school based personnel and parents when making decisions about the use of accommodations by students with disabilities on state-wide computer based assessments. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/CBTAccomm.pdf d. Accommodations-Assisting Students with Disabilities (2010): This document is written to assist school district personnel and parents when making decisions about the use of accommodations by students with disabilities in instructional situations. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/accomm-educator.pdf 2-1-1 Big Bend - June 2014 FDLRS Resource Guide iv 7. Where can I learn about technology and assistive technology supports? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Page 119): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. Technical Assistance Paper: Assistive Technology (AT) for Students with Disabilities: The purpose of this technical assistance paper (TAP) is to provide information regarding AT as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) and to provide guidance to school district staff for considering, determining the need, and providing assistive technology devices and services. i. http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-6801/dps-2013- 65.pdf c. Technical Assistance Paper: Accessible Instructional Materials: The purpose of this technical assistance paper (TAP) is to assist school districts in providing access in a timely manner to both appropriate and accessible instructional materials for students with disabilities who cannot read standard print effectively and are therefore unable to meet grade level expectations. i. http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5764/dps-2010- 70.pdf 2-1-1 Big Bend - June 2014 FDLRS Resource Guide v 8. Where can I learn about diploma options and student assessments for my child receiving ESE services? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Page 67): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i. http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/ESEParent.pdf b. Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities-A Guide for Families (Page 20): Diploma Options and information on FCAT, FCAT 2.0, and End of Course Exams. i. https://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/Transition.pdf c. The Florida Alternate Assessment and Your Child’s Scores A brochure to assist families in understanding the Florida Alternate Assessment. i. http://www.fldoe.org/asp/pdf/Parent-Brochure-English-Web.pdf d. For current information please visit the Florida Department of Education Testing website. i. http://www.fldoe.org/testing/ 9. What is the transition process for children ages 14-21? a. A Parent's Introduction to Exceptional Student Education in Florida (Pages 25, 89): Children in public schools who have special learning needs because of a disability receive ESE Services. This book explains the ESE process and key ideas in the state and federal laws. i.