B6.02 - Approve to Submit the Grant Application for the Cooperative Agreement with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and, if Approved, Accept Funds for the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) for 2020/2021 (Academic Support and Federal Programs)

We are requesting approval of the FDLRS grant for the 2020/2021 school year. Approval of this grant will allow implementation of targeted goals and objectives within the FDLRS grant for students with disabilities in Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). FDLRS centers are part of the Florida public school system. The primary focus of each center is to support the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Each center provides services in four areas: Child Find, Human Resource Development, Parent Services, and Technology. The Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) is also part of the FDLRS network. A summary of each of these service areas is attached.

FDLRS is a network of 19 state and federally funded associate centers established in 1978, which provides support services to educators, families of students with disabilities, and community agencies throughout Florida.

Federal entitlement grant applications for students with disabilities must be submitted annually.

There is currently a high demand for diagnostic and instructional support services for HCPS students with disabilities. FDLRS Hillsborough is able to provide a wide array of instructional and technical support services to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities and support of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department. These services include professional learning opportunities and job embedded supports to facilitate an increase in student achievement. FDLRS Child Find is able to fulfill the need for screening and evaluation in order to allow access to early intervention. FDLRS Child Find provides critical early intervention services for the district by locating children who are exceptional or have special or unique needs to assist in the provision of medical, physiological, psychological, educational testing, and other services designed to evaluate and diagnose exceptionalities, and to facilitate the provision of instruction and services to exceptional students. Gaps also exist in the areas of assistive and instructional technology and FDLRS is able to assist and support school district professional staff and families of students with disabilities in the appropriate use of instructional technology, assistive technology, related services, universal design principles and technology that enhance learning and communication.

The FDLRS Hillsborough center is monitored on a quarterly basis and during the 2019/2020 school year (to date) has met 100 percent of projected deliverables. FDLRS is monitored on the fidelity of implementation and outcomes of all the products, trainings, and service deliveries that were implemented during the 2019/2020 school year. The center will employ a variety of resources to ensure that all deliverables are assessed comprehensively and effectively.

The supports provided to the ESE programs in Hillsborough County will be an asset for all students with disabilities. The four central functions of FDLRS Hillsborough (Child Find, Parent Services, Human Resource Development and Technology) as well as targeted supports to schools through the FIN, will ensure an ongoing successful partnership with the district, ESE department, and community. FDLRS will collaborate with agency and support personnel, communities, families, and other educational personnel providing support services for district educators, school administrators, parents and students with exceptionalities to ensure equitable access and increased outcomes for students with disabilities.

All Strategic Objectives

That the Board approve to submit the grant application for the Cooperative Agreement with the FLDOE and, if approved, accept funds for the FDLRS for 2020/2021.

Kimberly Workman, General Director, Exceptional Student Education, Kimberly.workman@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7025
Tracye H. Brown, Assistant Superintendent, Academic Support and Federal Programs, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

Funds will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs FDLRS budget.  Administrative costs are included in the grant budget and are not to exceed $1,275,529.

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