Useful Links and Resources
FND is a national network of individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens.
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System. The FDLRS Associate Centers provide an array of instructional support services to exceptional student education programs in school districts statewide. The four central functions of each FDLRS Associate Center are child find, parent services, human resource development, and technology. The 19 FDLRS Associate Centers serve Florida’s 67 school districts and collaborate with districts, agency and support personnel, communities, families, and other educational personnel providing support services for educators, parents, school administrators, and students with exceptionalities. Funding also supports implementation of the Professional Development Alternatives (PDA). PDA modules are designed to provide Florida teachers with widely available, easily accessible opportunities to increase their competencies in the area of exceptional student education. Statutory authority for implementing FDLRS Associate Centers is located in Section 1006.03, Florida Statutes
The Florida Inclusion Network. The Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) collaborates with all districts and schools to provide customized services and supports ensuring all students with disabilities have the same educational, social, and future opportunities as their peers.
Institute for Small and Rural Districts. The Institute for Small and Rural Districts (ISRD) project provides training and technical assistance designed to support positive outcomes for students with disabilities and their families across a network of forty one (41) small and rural Florida school districts. The project assists district level administrators and school-based administrators as they implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) regulations and the Florida State Performance Plan (SPP). Working in collaboration with the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), Florida Department of Education, the goal of the ISRD project is that overall services to students with disabilities and those at risk will be enhanced and that increased student performance will be the end result of project activities.
A network of Florida agencies devoted to helping children make connections with the assistance they need to succeed. SEDNET was created by the Florida Legislature in 1981, in recognition of the significant cost and lack of progress of students served outside the state in psychiatric residential treatment. SEDNET is a project that brings key systems and agencies with common missions and programs to the table to share or coordinate resources for the purpose of maximizing their effectiveness and efficiency in addressing the needs of children and families.
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.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
The U.S. Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website has IDEA information and resources for students, parents, educators and services providers.
Exceptional Student Education LInks