In July 2002, the School District and University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine began a partnership to provide continuity of care and long-term follow-up of students with complex and serious emotional and behavioral problems.

We are requesting approval of the renewal agreement which has been developed with the USF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Silver Child Development Center, to continue to provide neuropsychiatric evaluation services to students who are referred by the Department of Exceptional Student Education and the Florida Diagnostic Learning Resource System. Comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation, consultation, and follow-up services will be provided for at least 50 elementary, middle, and high school students for the 2007/2008 school year. USF will assume all responsibilities for meeting federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

During the 2006/2007 school year, approximately 45 students were served at USF and 33 students participated in the six-month follow-up visits. In addition, 25 students were seen through the psychiatric resident rotation program at two designated school sites.

Goal 1 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.
Goal 2 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.
Goal 5 – The District will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

Funds of $189,040 are included in the district special revenue/federal programs budget for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Project 1331.