Student Support

Mission Statement:

We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and compassionate environment where every student receives a high-quality, individualized education. Through collaborative partnerships with families and staff, we empower exceptional learners to discover their unique potential and prepare for lifelong success.

What Is ESE for Children with Disabilities?

In Florida, children with disabilities who need specially designed instruction and related services are called exceptional students. The special help they receive at school is called Exceptional Student Education (ESE).

The primary goal of ESE is to help each child progress in school and successfully prepare for life after graduation.

Key Highlights of ESE Services

• Tailored Support: Includes specially designed instruction tailored to meet your child’s unique learning needs.

• Comprehensive Resources: May include assistive technology devices, specialized therapy, special transportation, and other learning supports.

• Free of Charge: All ESE services are provided at no cost to families.

• Team-Based Approach: Decisions are made collaboratively by a dedicated team—and parents are always a vital part of this team!

The ESE Process: Step-by-Step

Our process is guided by the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensure your child receives the exact support they need.

 [1] Referral ➔ [2] Evaluation ➔ [3] Eligibility ➔ [4] First IEP ➔ [5] Consent & Start

1. Referral for Individual Evaluation

A referral is a request for a formal review of all available information regarding your child’s learning needs, strengths, challenges, and interests.

• A team (including parents) reviews current information using a problem-solving process to find what instruction works best.

• The team decides if an additional evaluation is needed to determine eligibility for ESE services.

2. Individual Evaluation

An evaluation gathers comprehensive information about your child through interviews, classroom observations, interventions, and individual tests conducted by specialists (such as a school psychologist).

• The team collaboratively decides which specific evaluation procedures will be used.

• Parental Consent: Written consent from a parent or guardian is required before any evaluation can begin.

3. Eligibility Determination

Once the evaluation is complete, the school holds an eligibility staffing meeting.

• The team reviews the gathered information together.

• To qualify for ESE services, a child must meet specific criteria outlined in Florida’s State Board of Education Rules, State Statutes, and District Special Programs and Procedures.

What Happens if Your Child Is Eligible?

4. Development of the First IEP

If your child is eligible, the team meets to write an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

• As a parent, you are invited as an essential member of the IEP team.

• The team determines the specific services, supports, and annual goals for your child.

• Learning Environment: The team decides where services are received. Most students spend the majority of their school day in general education classrooms, while some may receive targeted support in an ESE classroom for part or all of the day.

5. Consent for Services to Begin

Your child cannot begin receiving ESE services until the IEP is written and a parent provides written consent.

6. Ongoing Review and Revision

• Annual Review: The IEP team meets at least once every 12 months to discuss progress and update the plan.

• Flexible Updates: Because a child’s needs change, the IEP can be amended during an IEP meeting at any time throughout the year.

💡 Parents Are Part of the Team!

Teachers and school staff are always here to answer questions, explain how you can actively participate in your child's education, and guide you through your rights and responsibilities.

• Procedural Safeguards: Your legal rights in the ESE process are called "Procedural Safeguards." You will receive a written summary of these rights when asked for evaluation consent.

• Need More Information? Please reach out to your school principal or the District ESE Director at the local school district office.

Referring a Child

If you have concerns about a child's speaking, understanding, moving or playing, seeing, hearing, getting along with other children, learning, or self-help skills. In that case, Child Find provides developmental screening FREE OF CHARGE in communication, motor development, vision, hearing, and preschool readiness skills. Child Find can also assist with evaluation and service planning if needed.

FDLRS NEFEC Child Find Specialist:

Lorri Swafford (Serving Columbia and Lafayette Counties)

Contact us at 386-329-3811 or click on the name above to email. Please include contact information in the message.

UF North Central Early Steps (UF NCES) serves families of children ages birth to three years old who are at risk for a developmental delay or have a developmental delay. Early Steps services can help parents support their child’s development better and improve child outcomes.

For referrals, click here.

Physical Address

1701 SW 16th Ave., Building B
Gainesville, FL 32608

 

Phone

(352) 273-8555

 

 

 

For over 35 years, Family Network on Disabilities has developed up-to-date training on a variety of topics concerning the disability community that will benefit parents, self-advocates, educators, and professionals. You’ll be glad to know we’ve added our youth advocate workshop series into the mix.

 

 

 

The University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD) provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities.

Counties Served by UF CARD Gainesville: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union. If you live in a different county in Florida, find your CARD here.

Our office hours are Mondays 1 pm-5 pm, and Tuesday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. Appointments are encouraged. You can call us toll-free at 1-(800)-9-AUTISM or locally (Gainesville Area) at (352)-265-2230. We look forward to seeing you!

CARD does not provide services such as diagnosis, therapy (for example, ABA, OT, PT), ongoing behavioral interventions, respite care, or medical care of any kind.