FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
October 13, 2003
M E M O R A N D U M #03-51
TO:
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Administrators, Exceptional Student Education
FROM:
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Shan Goff
SUBJECT:
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on/Policy Paper on Provision of Early
Intervention in Natural Environments
For several years Florida’s Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program (EIP) has been in
the process of moving toward a service delivery model that predominantly provides services and
supports for infants, toddlers and their families in natural environments that recognize families’
daily activities and routines. During this time, changes were made in policy, workgroups and
recommendations, experts were consulted and
itiative to develop pilot projects. Florida’s
is now at the critical juncture where it must
Beginning July 1, 2004, all newly referred children in Florida’s Infants and Toddlers Early
Intervention system will be served in natural environments in the context of each child’s and
family’s everyday routines, activities, and places. The draft position/policy paper on Provision
of Early Intervention in Natural Environments has been developed to provide a comprehensive
position and policy statement and set forth not only the conceptual framework for a new service
delivery model, but to provide the requirements and processes to guide Early Intervention
programs in the initial implementation of these changes. The paper has been posted to the
internet at the following website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/cms/EIPStakeWrkGrp.htm.
SHAN GOFF
Chief
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 614 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0475 • www.fldoe.org
Administrators, Exceptional Student Education
October 13, 2003
Page 2
An opportunity to provide feedback on the draft policy paper is being provided to the public by
having a public comment period through the month of November. All public input must be
received in writing by email, fax or mail. Since we invite you to provide input, we are
requesting that you submit your comments to the Department of Education no later than the close
of business, November 17, 2003. Your comments will be forwarded to the Department of Health
no later than the close of business on November 30, 2003. It is anticipated that the policy paper
will be finalized and disseminated statewide by the end of December 2003.
Please submit your feedback to
Address:
Carole West, Program Specialist
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 601
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
E-mail
Carole.West@fldoe.org
Fax:
(850) 245-0955
SG/cwm
