Resources

Resources can be divided into two categories...

Information you should know and
People/Agencies you should know.

Tier Assignments - New - Information you need to know regarding the new tier assignments under the Developmental Services Waiver (DD Waiver).  The deadline for requesting a formal hearing regarding the tier assignment is close of business, Thursday, September 18th.

After the Storm - New - Added Information regarding home clean-up and health risks after the storm.

Parenting Resources - New - This new information resource focuses on providing parents with useful information that will (hopefully) make parenting a child with special needs a little easier. 

Leisure Activity Resources - New - This new people resource focuses on fun, leisure activities designed for you and your child with special needs.  Please contact us if you have other leisure activities folks may be interested in learning about!

Autism Resources - New - In commemoration of Autism Awareness Month, this new resource page focuses on Autism and Autism Related Disorders.

Information You Should Know

Assistive Technology Resources

Teacher Resources

ESE Website

Leon County Schools' Exceptional Student Education Website  (opens new window):

• Current information about exceptional student education, eligibility procedures and forms, programs and services and staff in Leon County;
• Serve as a clearinghouse for Assistive Technology in Leon County and a source of information for other related services;
• Enhance and expand existing collaborative efforts of parents and schools through the provision of the following information:
  • Questions and Answers and other information that take the mystery out of Individualized Education Plans, including:
    • IEP'S and the Service Matrix;
    • Information on the Revised Funding Model;
    • Alternate Assessment;
    • Diploma Options; and
    • Transition Services.
  • Hyperlinked resource information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA 97), Florida Statutes and Rules, and Leon County School Policies and Procedures relating to exceptional education; and
  • Information about local/state and national resources as well as support groups and Internet resources tied to specific exceptionalities scattered throughout the Web site (Resources).

Other critical issues that you should be aware of includes the following information (some located on this site):

Link to information about recently approved IDEA 2004.

Best Practices for Transition Services from School to Adult Life (from the Consumer/Family Viewpoint), is another excellent guide that focuses on person-centered planning.

Family Readiness Kit - For parents to use at home to help prepare for most kinds of disasters.

Medical Waiver Program through Developmental Disabilities Program Office, Department of Children and Families:

• Information (link opens in new window) about the MedWaiver program.
• Current MedWaiver Handbook (link opens in new window)
• Development Disabilities Service Vendor Search (opens new window)
• FY02-03 Service Cross-Walk (opens new window)
• Statewide Quality Assurance Program for DS Waiver Services (opens new window)

Transition Services - Best Practices Project Teams (Transition, Employment, Advocacy, Mentoring, Self-Determination) - A grant funded by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support Best Practices in transition from school to career, offering training and support to high school students with developmental disabilities ages 14-21, their parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and counselors. While this program is intended for California youth, this program has developed a website offering some excellent resource information on transition, employment, advocacy, mentoring and self-determination.

WORKABILITY I - Family Transition Guide, an excellent guide developed by the California Department of Education Special Education Division, Secondary and Personnel Development Unit (used with their permission) for parents and families to prepare students with special needs for life after school.

People/Agencies You Should Know

In addition to the resources referenced above on the ESE Website, we offer the following resources that are in the process of being updated:

Leisure Activity Resources - This new addition focuses on fun, leisure activities you and your child with special needs may be interested in.

Local Resources - Information about agencies in Leon County and the Big Bend area.

Local and State Resources - state agencies providing services to children with special needs and their families.

Support Groups - information about local support groups for parents and siblings of children with disabilities as well as information on some Internet support groups.

E - Newsletters - we will start providing information and links to electronic newsletters and bulletins that we think may be of interest and/or use to you.

National Resources - federal and nonprofit agencies currently on the Internet providing information/services to families.

List of Disability Mailing Lists - is just that, a rather extensive list of groups and of people who correspond over the Internet regarding common issues.

Disability News Groups - the only problem with Lists is the fact that if you subscribe to an active one it will fill your e-mail box! An alternative to consider is Newsgroups. You are able to read about issues of similar interest, even post to them, without all the daily mail. In keeping with the tradition of not re-inventing the wheel when it already exists, check out the rather extensive list of Newsgroups complied by Family Village (opens in new window).

Toys for Children with Special Needs

Lynn McGuire, Leon County Schools' (and our) ever resourceful Assistive Technology Specialist suggested a visit to The Family Center on Technology and Disability website (opens in new window) which has some good suggestions regarding how to buy gifts for children with special needs.  This information is also available in PDF format.

Page updated: 09/22/2008