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Information & Resources for Highlands County
Highlands County SP & P Rules
Each school district is required to complete a state document titled “Special Programs and Procedures – SP& P” to ensure that the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act have been implemented. The document also verifies that all Florida statutes and state rules relative to students with disabilities are followed. http://www.highlands.k12.fl.us/~eseweb/Special%20Programs%20&%20Procedures.htm
Highlands County Exceptional Education
Local Advocacy & Resource Organizations
Center For Independent Living of Central Florida (Satellite Office)
Serves DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties
Founded in 1976 by Central Floridians dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve their self-determined goals for independent living. CIL is a consumer-driven organization whose philosophy is based on peer role models: people with disabilities empowering people with disabilities and their families on the road to independence.
115 Traders Alley Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 413-2722 Toll Free: (888) 263-6692 Website: www.cilorlando.org
Family Care Council Area 14
Established in 1993 by Florida Statute, the Family Care Council (FCC) advises the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) on the needs of self-advocates and their families. The 14 local Family Care Councils work with APD in educating, advocating, and empowering families of persons with developmental disabilities (DD). They also assist APD with the delivery of services to persons receiving Med-Waiver funds. Statewide Website: www.fccflorida.org Click on "14" on map for local contact information.
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
FDLRS (pronounced Fiddlers) provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide. FDLRS supports the State education goals of high student achievement, safe schools, and high performing workforce. FDLRS activities reflect these goals and demonstrate outcomes toward accomplishing them. Statewide Website: www.paec.org/fdlrsweb/index.htm
FDLRS Heartland
(Covers DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, & Highlands Counties)
1076 US 27 North
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 531-0444, ext. 228 or (800) 316-7057 Website: www.fdlrsheartland.com
Social Services
Children's Medical Services (CMS)
The Children's Medical Services (CMS) program provides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care. Children with special health care needs are those children under age 21 whose serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children. Website: http://www.cms-kids.com/default.htm The website provides contact information by Region of the State.
CMS-Lakeland
(Covers Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties)
4718 Old
Highway 37th South
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 701-1151
1-800-741-2250
Asst. Regional Medical Director: Timothy Gompf, M.D.
Asst. Regional Medical Director: William Ray, M.D.
Regional Nursing Director: Joanne Angel, R.N.
Regional Program Administrator: Patty Kopp
Early Steps
Early Steps is administered by Children's Medical Services (CMS) in accordance with IDEA, Part C. Early Steps offers early intervention services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay. Sixteen contracted local Early Steps across the state coordinate with community agencies and other contracted providers for the delivery of needed supports and services. Toll Free Phone: 888-654-440 Website: http://www.cms-kids.com/Earlystepshome.htm
Gulf Central Early Steps
(Covers Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee & Sarasota Counties)
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
1700 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239-3555
4630 17th Street, Sarasota, FL
941-487-5400 / 866-510-5594/ Fax: 941-487-5430
Judith Corso – Early Steps Director
e-mail: Judith-Corso@smh.com
Parent Training & Information Center:
Central Florida Parent Center / AWARE Project
Milagros Pou, Diane Joslin, or Eileen Gilley
Home Office - (888) 612-9273
or (727) 789-2400
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