CFS Welcomes FDLRS Team
FDLRS Activities:
- Child Find provides assistance in the location, identification, evaluation, and initiation of appropriate education or other needed services to all children and youth, birth through 21 years of age, who have or are at-risk of developing special or unique needs related to a disability.
- Parent Services provides assistance to districts and families who have children who are exceptional or have special or unique needs to develop effective partnerships that will allow for shared responsibility to improve the education of all children and youth.
- Human Resources Development plans collaboratively with exceptional student education departments/directors, staff development offices, curriculum departments, school-based administrators, and other professional development entities to provide information, professional development, technical assistance, consultation, and resources on research-based effective instructional practices/ programs and models for the education of children and youth who are exceptional or have unique needs.
- Technology plans and works collaboratively with school districts to ensure that the technology and accessibility needs of all students with disabilities are professionally met as required by IDEA 2004.
The USF Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Multidisciplinary Clinic has recently joined the Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) within the Division of Applied Research and Educational Support (DARES).
One of five FDLRS specialized university centers, FDLRS/USF serves school-aged children with complex learning, behavioral, medical and socio-emotional problems as well as their families and teachers. The program is a unique resource for students, families, and school districts in Florida, providing comprehensive evaluation, consultation, and intervention services, parent education and support services and professional development for educators and other professionals.
“Dr. Karen Moffitt, the founding principal investigator for the FDLRS program will be retiring this fall after a distinguished career in bringing needed programs and services to children and youth with chronic health care needs and disabilities,” said Dr. Mario Hernandez, CFS Department Chair. “As the founder of the University FDLRS network, she and her team have provided critical services to schools within the state for over 25 years.”
DARES Assistant Professor Dr. Rose Iovannone will serve as the principal investigator.
“FDLRS/USF will be a valuable asset to the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities by providing a foundation for enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration between the fields of education, psychology, medical, and mental health to develop innovative programs that will deliver supports and services for children and families with the most complex needs,” said Dr. Iovannone.