About Us

FDLRS HRD Network

There are nineteen FDLRS Associate Centers throughout the state. The purpose of the FDLRS Associate Centers is to:

  • Assist 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 and are not enrolled in public school
  • Plan collaboratively with school districts, exceptional student education (ESE) departments, staff development offices and other professional development entities to provide information, professional development, and technical assistance and follow up about effective instructional strategies and service delivery models for the education of children and youth who are exceptional or have unique needs.
  • Assist districts and families who have children who are exceptional or have special or unique needs to develop effective partnerships allowing shared responsibility to improve the education of all children and youth.
  • Assist and support district professional staff and families of students who are exceptional or have special or unique needs in the appropriate use of assistive technology, assistive technology related services, universal design principles, and technology that enhances learning and communication.

The FDLRS HRD Network focuses efforts on the following project priorities:

Human Resources Development

FDLRS 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. HRD priorities are based on BEESS initiatives that are in alignment with the State Performance Plan (SPP), support the Florida Department of Education statewide activities including Just Read, Florida! efforts and the Department’s Strategic Imperatives. Professional development activities are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Professional Development System Evaluation Protocol, BEESS priority areas, and locally assessed needs.

The 2008 – 2009 HRD Priority Areas are:

H-1 Utilize collaborative, data-based, needs assessment process to identify and align professional development activities in support of the State Performance Plan, Strategic Imperatives, Evaluation Protocol, K-12 Reform Efforts, Highly Qualified and Just Read, Florida! Including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Collaborative planning meetings with Coordinating Councils, ESE Directors, Curriculum and Staff Development Offices, School Improvement Teams, Advisory Committees
  • Online needs assessment surveys
  • Analysis of district data and impact of efforts on student achievement
  • Development of long range plan for planning, delivery, follow up and evaluation
  • SPP Indicators: 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,14
H-2 Coordinate and provide multi-level, research-based professional development activities that are aligned with BEESS’ SPP indicators including, but not limited to the following:
  • Least Restrictive Environments/FAPE, Quality IEPs, Matrix, ESE Policies and Procedures, Dropout Prevention, Disability Awareness, TBI
  • Just Read, Florida! Initiatives, Math and Science Areas of Emphasis
  • Research-based instructional practices such as: SIM (Strategic Instruction Model), Instructional Strategies, Differentiated Instruction, Accommodations/Modifications, Learning Styles, Algebraic Thinking, Assessment, Alternate Assessment, Sunshine State Standards and Access Points
  • Classroom/Behavior Management, Social Skills
  • Transition (middle/secondary level)
  • Collaborative Teaching Model, Peer Coaching and Classroom Observation Strategies, Action Research, Professional Study Groups
  • IDEA 2004 Implementation Initiatives and other BEESS Initiatives
  • SPP Indicators: 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,14
H-3 Provide relevant information, materials and other resources related to professional development, exemplary practices and FDLRS services that support the attainment of state/district goals related to ESE programs and services. Including, but not limited to the following:
  • Dissemination of ESE disability awareness information
  • Utilization of web-based communication tools to distribute follow up information to targeted professional development
  • Electronic newsletters, websites, chat rooms
  • SPP Indicators: 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,14
H-4 Support development and implementation of statewide effective distance learning professional development activities including Professional Development Alternatives for Exceptional Student Educators (PDA-ESE), Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum, and Elementary K-6 Online Content Review Modules. Including, but not limited to the following:
  • Developing an annual calendar of PDA-ESE offerings
  • Coordinating regional PDA-ESE offerings to ensure equitable access to modules across service region
  • Distributing awareness information on IC and K6 Programs
  • SPP Indicators: 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,14

Identification of HRD related services must emphasize data-based decision making, and inclusion of research-based effective instructional practices that are in alignment with Florida’s Professional Development Evaluation Protocol and the Bureau’s SPP.

The nineteen FDLRS Associate Centers are funded through:

  • Public Law 102-119, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), Part B, Section 611, CFDA # 84.027
  • Public Law 108-446, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), Part B, Preschool, Section 619, CFDA # 84.173
  • 2008 General Appropriations Act 

Contact Information

Individual FDLRS Associate Centers and HRD Specialists may be contacted by clicking on the appropriate center link in the Find a Center section of this website, or by going to http://www.fdlrs.org and using the drop-down menu to locate the center of your choice.