In July 2002, the School Board Of Hillsborough County, Florida and the 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 request 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 Resources System. Comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation, consultation, and follow-up services will be provided for at least 35 elementary, middle, and high school students for the 2008-2009 school year. USF will assume all responsibilities for meeting federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

During the 2007-2008 school year, approximately 31 students were referred for services through this program. USF made 37 visits to schools throughout the District to observe students, attend school meetings, and provide follow-up assistance. In addition, over 30 students were seen through the psychiatric resident rotation program at two designated school visits.

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 $169,040 are included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Project 1531.