Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

Activities included facilitating development of Standing Up for Me, a Florida curriculumdesigned to teach self-determination skills with a focus on IEP participation. Thecurriculum was piloted in six school districts during the spring of 2003; statewide trainingwas conducted on the final draft in September and October of 2003 and the publishedproduct in November and December of 2004. Staff continued to provide train-the-trainertraining through 2007. (The curriculum will be updated over the course of the next yearthrough the activities of Project 10.)Results of the Self-Determination Initiative included teachers with more knowledge ofself-determination and resources available for teaching self-determination skills as wellas increased instruction in the area of self-determination. A number of Florida studentsreceiving instruction in self-determination displayed better school and post-schooloutcomes and provided testimonials at related conferences.A requirement for the "consideration of instruction or the provision of information in thearea of self-determination to assist the student to be able to actively and effectivelyparticipate in IEP meetings and self-advocate, if appropriate" was added to Florida StateBoard of Education Rules in 2004 for students with disabilities with IEPs beginning atage 14. The rules were updated and approved on December 2008. The new rulesmoved the requirement to age 16, but districts are being encouraged to continueimplementation beginning at age 14.Florida was recognized by the Office of Special Education Programs as an “exemplar”for their work in the area of self-determination and was one of only two states invited topresent at a National Capacity Building Institute on Self-Determination in 2004.DataIn response to a public records request, DCF generated data in June 2008 that showedthat only 7% of youth in care under age 18 had a documented disability. In contrast,DOE data from February 2008 shows that 14% of the school aged population had adocumented disability. Florida Dept. of Education, Education Information &Accountability Services, Statistical Brief, Series 2008-21B (February 2008). Nationaldata shows that youth in state care have disabilities at a greater rate than the generalpopulation – perhaps as high as 28% or more. The Well-being of Youth Involved in theDCF System: A National Overview, Katherine Kortenkamp and Jennifer Ehrle, TheUrban Institute, January 2002.http://www.urban.org/uploadedpdf/310413_anf_b43.pdfGoal 9: Youth who have, or are suspected of having, a disability that interferes with theirlearning receive prompt and appropriate assessments, Individual Educational Plans,accommodations, supports and related services consistent with IDEA, Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act and applicable state law.Suggested ActionsA. DCF and DOE: Identify screening and assessment resources for youth in carewho do not automatically receive comprehensive assessments.7-13-0912