Special Education/EIS

All states and territories must provide early intervention services to children who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays, from birth to their third birthday.

Most CONUS locations, local school districts or health departments provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because that is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs has a list of resources specific to each state to help you determine who you should contact. Your installation EFMP Family Support provider can also answer your questions.

If you are moving OCONUS or to a CONUS location with a DODEA school (and you live on installation), your child will receive EIS through the Defense Department’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, or EDIS, program.

When moving, you should hand carry copies of your child's most current individual family service plan, or IFSP, and the most current evaluation reports to your new home to ensure they are not lost.

All states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21.

When a child transfers to a different district in the same state, the new school must provide a free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, until the previously held IEP is adopted or a new one is developed and implemented. When a child transfers to another state, the receiving school must provide comparable services until an IEP review can determine if a new evaluation or IEP is appropriate.

If you are moving and your child receives special education and related services, you should hand carry all necessary school and medical documents, including the most current IEP and current evaluation reports. Hand carrying these documents ensures that they are not lost and allows the new school to begin the process as soon as you arrive.

• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Individualized Education Program & Moving
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit
• Special Needs Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have or are at-risk for developmental disabilities or delays. Early intervention supports families and caregivers to increase their child's participation in daily activities and routines that are important to the family. Each child receives an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) that meets his or her unique needs. Families also receive support to develop the skills and confidence needed in helping their child learn and develop. Services will support children in their communities where they live, learn and play. There is no income requirement to qualify for the program and although families may choose to allow access to insurance or Medicaid benefits, families are not charged for services.

Early Steps Contact List:

Gold Coast

County served: Broward

Director: Ellie Schrot

Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center

1401 South Federal Highway

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-2619

T: 954-728-1083/1090

F: 954-779-2316

eschrot@browardhealth.org

Southernmost Coast

County served: South Dade, Monroe

Program Director: Olabisi Baruwa-Castro

Benchmark Human Services

9100 South Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1500

Miami, FL 33156

T: 305-929-8705, Extension 13001

F: 305-600-3713

obaruwa-castro@benchmarkhs.com

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Division of Special Education

1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 409-C

Miami, FL 33132

T: 305-995-2027

F: 305-995-1760

Broward County Public Schools
Exceptional Student Learning Support Division at Arthur Ashe Campus

1701 NW 23rd Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Phone: 754-321-3436