Anytime that you are planning a move to a new home, this journey can be both exciting and stressful. Having a child with special needs can create some additional challenges. Whether you are moving to Florida from another state or another County, your child has a legal right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

If your child has an IEP or a 504 Plan, this brochure will help guide you through the steps necessary for a smooth school transition.

Families are encouraged to contact the new school before your move so you can discuss your child’s needs and share a copy of his or her IEP or 504 Plan, and any other relevant documentation. This is also a good time to talk about a visit to the school, collaboration, and pre-planning.

You may be considering a move to Hillsborough County but have not found a home yet. We are here to help. You can call our office of Compliance and Staffing at (813) 273-7060 for assistance.

MOVING WITHIN FLORIDA

If your child is moving into Hillsborough County from another county in Florida, begin by

1. Registering your child at his or her neighborhood school.
2. Bring your child’s most current IEP and additional documentation as outlined on the parent checklist, and
3. Ask to speak with the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist or contact at the school.

In consultation with parents and the previous school districts, comparable services will be provided until an IEP meeting (including parents) can be held to identify the student’s present strengths, needs, and functioning to appropriately support the student.

At times, the team may determine that additional assessments are needed to determine services or current eligibility. Parental consent is needed for any additional assessments. During this meeting the IEP team will either adopt the current IEP or will develop a new IEP.

MOVING FROM ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY

If your child is moving into Hillsborough County from another state or country, begin by

1. Registering your child at his or her neighborhood school.
2. Bring your child’s most current IEP and additional documentation as outlined on the parent checklist, and
3. Ask to speak with the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist or contact at the school.

Because Florida may have different rules for eligibility of special education. The school and/or the regional team must determine if your student qualifies for specialized instruction. This determination may require a new evaluation and parental consent.

Comparable services, will be provided until the school conducts an initial evaluation (if determined necessary by Florida district criteria) and Hillsborough County Public Schools will develop, adopt and implement a new IEP that meets all applicable Florida requirements if determined appropriate.

What Does Comparable Mean?

Federal and state law does not define comparable services, but instead guides the newly designated IEP team to interpret what services are similar or equivalent to those in your child’s current IEP.

Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy:
Prior to the provision of Occupational or Physical Therapy, an assessment will be required in order to develop a plan of treatment for your child in his/her new setting. Your consent will be needed for this assessment to ensure the appropriate services for your student.

504 PLAN:
Register your child at his or her neighborhood school and bring your child’s 504 Plan and additional documentation as outlined on the parent checklist. Ask to speak with the 504 contact at the school, this is typically the school counselor. The school contact will schedule a 504 team meeting, which includes the parent, to review and develop a new 504 plan for Hillsborough County. Until that meeting is held, the school will provide comparable services.

PARENT CHECKLIST

It is important copies of all school records and any other documents necessary to register and provide special education services to your child.  These include:

School Registration Documents

• Original birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Physical records
• Two (2) proofs of residency

Special Education Documents

• Current IEP or 504 plan
• All evaluation information/reports
• Health/medial information
• Report cards/progress reports

(If you are unable to provide documentation as it relates to your child’s IEP or 504, permission may be requested by the new school to retrieve your child’s records from the original school.)