• Assists schools and school districts to develop family-friendly programs and services.

• Provides information to families about exceptional student education.

• Promotes partnerships between schools and families to support student achievement.

• Provides information to families and professionals about local resources and family support groups.

Resources
Special Ed Connection: Do you have a child with a disability of school age in Florida? Learn where to find resources to help your child benefit from special education services at the Special Ed Connection® The Florida Department of Education is proud to provide access to the Special Ed Connection® at no cost to families of students with disabilities. To find out how you can gain access to this valuable resource contact Email Stephanie Erickson

• Transition to Independence Process:
  The Transition to Independence Process (TIP) system was developed to engage youth and young adults in their own futures planning process, provide them with developmentally-appropriate services and supports, and involve them and their families and other informal key players in a process that prepares and facilitates them in their movement toward greater self-sufficiency.

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities:
  The APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.

• Family Network on Disabilities:
  is a statewide network of families and individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens.

• Bright Expectations:
  Bright Expectations (BE) is Florida’s site dedicated to helping our residents with unique abilities find the support, resources, and inspiration they and their families need to break barriers, defy lowered expectations, and achieve the brightest futures they can imagine.

• American Foundation for the Blind 
  The American foundation for the Blind speaks up for children who are blind or visually impaired, to make sure they have the resources they need, including textbooks and classroom materials. 

• Center for Autism and Related Disorders 
  The Center for Autism and Related Disorder (CARD) program includes comprehensive and cutting-edge curricula that can be tailored to the specific needs of individuals from birth through adulthood.  These programs help individuals learn to communicate, develop friendships, and lead happy, healthy lives.   

• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (FDOE) 
  Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job.  Vocational Rehabilitation is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.    

• Florida Multi-Tiered Systems of Support  -
  This website provides a central, comprehensive location for Florida-specific information and resources that promote system-wide practices to ensure the highest possible student achievement in both academic and behavioral pursuits. 

• Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. 
  The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is committed to advocating and promoting programs, practices and innovative initiatives that enhance the independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life. 

• Parent Resource (DOE) 
  The Department of Education serves approximately 2.8 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 202,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 338,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, apprenticeships, job-specific skills, and career development. The department manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers - encouraging independence and self-sufficiency.

• Transition Education Network (Project 10) 
  The mission of Project 10: Transition Education Network, hereinafter referred to as "Project 10," is to assist Florida school districts and relevant stakeholders in building capacity to provide secondary transition services to students with disabilities in order to improve their academic success and post-school outcomes. Project 10 serves as the primary conduit between the Florida Department of Education, specifically the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), and relevant school district personnel in addressing law and policy, effective practices, and research-based interventions in the area of transition services for youth with disabilities

• United Cerebral Palsy
  United Cerebral Palsy provides services and support on a community-by-community basis, serving the unique needs of people with disabilities in their region. UCP is committed to change and progress for adults and children with disabilities, whether it is a disability evidenced from birth, the result of an accident, or as a consequence of aging. 

Parent Engagement Resources related to RtI

Florida's Parent Brochure, currently available in English and Spanish, is a publication that focuses on “Ensuring a Strong Start, Promoting a Bright Future” through an overview of RtI, how parents can be involved, key questions for parents to ask, and recommendations for parents if they believe their child is struggling.  It was developed by the Florida Department of Education in collaboration with Bureau of Family and Community Outreach, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, Pasco County School District, and Florida’s Positive Behavior Support Project.  Recently adapted from Florida’s Parent Brochure providing general RtI information, the following PowerPoint Presentations can be used in a variety of presentations to both parent and educator audiences to address parent engagement in the implementation of RtI: RtI Presentation for Parent Audiences (English), RtI Presentation for Parent Audiences (Spanish), RtI Presentation about Parent Engagement for Educator Audiences.  Lastly, Evaluations for Special Education Services: Information for Parents, is a brochure designed to clarify issues and expectations for parents when they believe their child may have a disability and/or when their child has been referred for an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

All of these resources can be access on the home page of Florida’s Response to Instruction/Intervention website at http://www.florida-rti.org.

• Parent Resources on RTI

• Evaluations for Special Education Services

• Florida's Multi-Tiered System of Supports

• MTSS Parent Guide