B6.18 - Approve the Early Intervention and Evaluation Services Contract Between Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (Climate and Culture)

The purpose of this contract is to establish an agreement between Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and ELCHC, a statutorily created entity, designated with the responsibility of administration and implementation of a local comprehensive program of School Readiness (SR) Program services and local administration of the SR Program.

The purpose of this contract is to enter into an agreement with ELCHC for the provision of SR services that occur after initial child screening and assessment. These later stage evaluation services are for the limited subset of SR children ages 3 to 5 years old that appear to need further evaluation after initial screening and assessment and may lead, when needed, to the initial stages of the development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) for some children. Three positions will be hired to perform these evaluation services on an expedited timeline, leading to early identification and services, and will be assigned to the Child Find team. 

The terms of this contract are in effect July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. This is a contract for evaluation services for SR children through ELCHC.

The ELCHC requires the Board's signature, as the subcontracted agency, to acknowledge acceptance of this contract prior to ELCHC's final signature.

The District team will provide evaluation services that would otherwise not be available to SR children ages 3-5 years old in the absence of this contract.

Historically, the ELCHC has contracted with the HCPS to carry out all screening, assessment, and evaluation services for SR children from the initial child screening to the IEP when needed.

A limited subset of SR children ages 3-5 years old will receive evaluation services after initial screening and assessment, which may lead to the development of an IEP.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Improve Student Achievement

* Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders

Approve the Early Intervention and Evaluation Services Contract Between ELCHC and HCPS.

Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

Funds in the amount of $245,000 will be available in the ELCHC contract. This total is federal/state funding originating with Florida Office of Early Learning flowing through the ELC and passed to HCPS.