Parent Resources
Welcome
We would like to welcome you to the District School Board of Pasco County-Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Parent Resources Page. We are glad you chose to visit us. Our goal is to provide parents, families, and caregivers with updated information and resources pertaining to ESE. We hope you will come back often to see our updates.
ESE Advisory Committee
The ESE District Advisory Committee is composed of parents,teachers, administrators and community representatives. The committee’s focus is to share information, brainstorm ideas, discuss concerns and provide input on current ESE initiatives. The committee meets once a month in the ESE Department, Building 8, District Office, in Land O’ Lakes. Meetings are held Wednesdays from 12:30–2:30 p.m.
For more information email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (FDLRS Parent Resource Teacher) or call 727-774-2630, 813-794-2630 or 352-524-2630.
Additional information can be found on the ESE Advisory Committee web page.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Response to Intervention (RtI) has been described in Florida as a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for providing high quality instruction and intervention matched to student needs using learning rate over time and level of performance to inform instructional decisions. Please visit Florida’s MTSS web page for more information.
Parent Events
Active Parenting is a positive parenting program designed by Dr. Michael H. Popkin, a psychologist whose focus is helping families in today’s uncertain and dangerous world. Active Parenting teaches parents everything they need to know about instilling confidence in their children, nonviolent discipline techniques, and encouraging mutual respect. The program offers a variety of tools to help raise happy, healthy, and successful children.
For information regarding upcoming events, activities, conferences/workshops and more go the Parent Events web page.
Parental Involvement in Education
When schools work together with families to support learning, children are inclined to succeed not just in school, but throughout life.
The Florida Department of Education recognizes the vital roles that schools and families play throughout a child’s educational career.
To help parents and families stay involved in education, we want to share with you a few simple ways to stay engaged.
1. Establish a daily family routine.
2. Monitor out-of-school activities.
3. Model the value of learning, self-discipline, and hard work.
4. Express high but realistic expectations for achievement.
5. Encourage children’s development/progress in school.
6. Encourage reading, writing, and discussions among family members.
I understand that my support is essential for my child’s success in school and will do everything I can to nurture my child’s ability to learn. I pledge to make my child’s education a priority and model positive actions and attitudes. I will partner with my child’s school to ensure I am informed and involved in all aspects of my child’s education. I will have high expectations for my child in school and in life.
Governor’s Proclamation for Parental Involvement Month
100 Ways for Parent to be Involved in Schools
Family Engagement Calendar (Early Childhood)
Family Engagement Calendar (K-12)
Parental Involvement Bookmark
Parent Newsletters
ESE Connection is a newsletter designed to assist families in meeting the needs of children with disabilities and to enhance partnerships with schools. To access the current and past newsletters go to our ESE Connection Newsletter web page.
Procedural Safeguards
Download a copy of Procedural Safeguards
Download a copy of Procedural Safeguards - Spanish
Special Olympics
The official web page for Special Olympics in Pasco County.
Transition Services and Diploma Options
For information and resources regarding transition planning from high school to post-school adult living and high school graduation requirements/diploma options go to the Transition Resources web page.
Websites
Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities
Florida’s protection and advocacy system is a not-for-profit organization. The Advocacy Center is authorized by Federally mandated programs to help protect the legal, human and civil rights of individuals with disabilities. The Advocacy Center provides information on Tier Notices and what to do if you disagree with your Tier Assignment.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
In October 2004, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) became an agency separate from the Department of Children and Families, to provide services to Floridians with developmental disabilities. Prior to that time, it existed as the Developmental Disabilities Program. The APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. APD is the state agency that administers the Developmental Disabilities and Family and Supported Living Waivers, and the Consumer Directed Care program. See the home page of their website for information on enrolling in Tier Waivers.
Bright Feats
Bright Feats directory is a list of medical providers and commercial businesses that are helpful to families with children of ranging abilities. We bring to this directory our own expertise as a nurse and a teacher who are both parents of special needs children. Bright Feats is a full color publication distributed quarterly. Research and referrals ensure this listing continues to be a useful source of information for those interested in the well being of special needs children. This website will provide monthly updates and new information between issues. Please contact us if you would like us to include a resource that is important to you or your family in dealing with special needs. It is our personal mission to connect families with resources to help their children achieve.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
A list of contact phone numbers and web links to help you find answers to your Medicare questions or program issues.
Central Florida Parent Center, Inc. (CFPC)
Non-profit organization which provides parents of children and young adults with all disabilities and special needs (ages 0-26) in central and northeast Florida with accurate information, interactive training, quality assistance, and empathetic support.
Children’s Medical Services (CMS)
The Children’s Medical Services (CMS) program provides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care. Children with special health care needs are those children under age 21 whose serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children. The website provides contact information by Region of the State.
Developmental Disabilities Council
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Resources Website has been designed as a public reporting resource for individuals with developmental disabilities living in or moving to the State of Florida. The primary function of this Website is to make available performance and demographic information specific to providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities through the Developmental Disabilities and the Family and Supported Living Waivers.
Disability Information
The federal government’s one-stop website for people with disabilities, their families, employers, veterans, workforce professionals and many others.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a state agency that provides job training and employment services for eligible persons with disabilities. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your disability, you are presumed eligible for VR services if you intend to secure employment. See Florida’s DVR website below for a variety of information and handbooks related to VR services.
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Gulfcoast Associate Centeris a network of nineteen state and federally funded associate centers which provide support services to educators, families of students with exceptionalities and community agencies through Florida. Centers are part of the public school systems and serve from one to nine counties. FDLRS-Gulfcoast Associate Center serves Pinellas, Hernando and Pasco County. Each center provides services in the four areas of Child Find, Human Resources Development, Parent Services and Technology.
I Can Online Disability News
A web site designed to improve the lives of the half-billion people with disabilities in the world. It provides information on adaptive sports, job search, independent living, relationships, self-discovery, social security, public health insurance benefits and more. The topics are approached from the perspective of those living with disabilities and aim to address their specific needs.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) The center provides information to the nation on disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; No Child Left Behind, the nation’s general education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities.
SEDNETThe Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities (SEDNET) creates and facilitates a network of key stakeholders committed to assisting in the provision of quality system of care for students with or at risk of emotional and/or behavioral challenges.
For more information email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (District Behavior Specialist / SEDNET Liaison) or call 727-774-1755
The Access Center
The center provides resources available to enhance access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities.
U.S. Department of Education
Empowering Parents School Box
Very Special Camps
List of camps and programs for people with special needs.
The ESE Website is designed to be an informational source to parents, caregivers and teachers of exceptional students. The website strives to provide as much information about the services and supports available through the Pasco School District, the State of Florida, community agencies and community groups. The website does not endorse nor represent any particular resource/agency; its intent is to provide information that may be of interest to a variety of audiences.
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A Message from our Director
Dear Parents of Exceptional Students:
Welcome to the Exceptional Student Education webpage. The purpose of this site is to provide information for parents, school staff, and caregivers of students with disabilities and students who are gifted. Both groups of students are served in collaboration with the Exceptional Student Education Department.
Parent involvement is very important for student success. By definition students who are exceptional may learn differently from typical children, at home and at school. As a parent, you are your child's first teacher and have probably already discovered your child's strengths and found ways to support areas that he or she may find challenging.
Your knowledge about your child is very helpful to the school team when collaborating to develop your child's education plan. If you have not met your child's teachers, please plan on contacting them to discuss your child's progress and ways that you can work together for his or her success. I would also encourage you to join our ESE Advisory Committee (information below) or your child's school's advisory council. This is a wonderful way to learn more about our programs and to provide valuable input.
Please feel free to contact the ESE Department at (727) 774-2600 if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Melissa Musselwhite
