6A-6.03033. Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for Voluntary Prekindergarten Children (VPK) with Disabilities

(1) Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this rule, “specialized instructional services” refers to those services authorized to be provided under Section 1002.66, F.S.

(b) For purposes of this rule, “an applicable field of study” refers to an occupation that is subject to licensure or certification by the state of Florida or a subdivision thereof and that may be used to address the age-appropriate progress of children with disabilities in the development of the capabilities, capacities, and skills required under Section 1(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution.

(c) For purposes of this rule, “professionally accepted standards” is the level of care that would be recognized and adhered to by a reasonably prudent professional licensed or certified in the applicable field of study in Florida.

(2) The Department approves the following individuals to provide specialized instructional services:

(a) Individuals certified pursuant to Section 393.17, F.S., or licensed pursuant to Chapter 490 or 491, F.S., for applied behavior analysis services as defined under Sections 627.6686 and 641.31098, F.S.;

(b) Speech-language pathologists licensed under Section 468.1185, F.S.;

(c) Occupational therapists licensed under Chapter 468, Part III, F.S.;

(d) Physical therapists licensed under Chapter 486, F.S.;

(e) Clinical Social Workers licensed under Chapter 491, F.S.; and

(f) Psychologists licensed under Chapter 490, F.S.

(3) The Department will approve the following individuals to deliver specialized instructional services upon submission of a request for approval using the Department’s Form VPK-SIS1, Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for Voluntary Prekindergarten Children with Disabilities – Specified SIS Providers, effective September 2012 (https://www.flrules.org/gateway/reference.asp?NO=Ref-01596), which is incorporated by reference herein. Form VPK-SIS1 may be obtained from the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Applicants under this subsection are approved for a period of five (5) years, or until license or certification suspension, revocation, or expiration, whichever occurs earlier:

(a) Listening and Spoken Language Specialists™ certified by the Alexander Graham Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language;

(b) Board Certified Behavior Analysts certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® pursuant to Rule 65G-4.0011, F.A.C.

(4) The Department will approve other specialized instructional service providers meeting the following criteria:

(a) The applicant must be licensed or certified in an applicable field of study; and

(b) The applicant must submit a request for approval using the Department’s Form VPK-SIS2, Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for Voluntary Prekindergarten Children with Disabilities – Other SIS Providers, effective September 2012 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01596), which is incorporated by reference herein. Form VPK-SIS2 may be obtained from the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Applicants under this subsection are approved for a period of five (5) years, or until license or certification suspension, revocation, or expiration, whichever occurs earlier.

(5) Pursuant to Section 1002.66(4), F.S., the Department will maintain a list of approved providers of specialized instructional services meeting the requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this rule.

(6) Pursuant to Section 1002.66(4), F.S., upon the request of a child’s parent, the Department may approve a provider of specialized instructional services not included on the Department’s approved list.

(a)1. Pursuant to Section 1002.66(3), F.S., the services of the specialized instructional service provider must: Be consistent with the child’s individual educational plan (IEP), as described in Rule 6A-6.03028, F.A.C.; Be delivered according to professionally accepted standards; Be delivered in accordance with the performance standards adopted by the Department of Education under Section 1002.67, F.S., which are adopted in Rule 6A-1.099823, F.A.C., and incorporated herein; and Address the age-appropriate progress of the child in the development of the capabilities, capacities, and skills required under Section 1(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution.

2. In addition, the services of the specialized instructional service provider must be provided by a service provider licensed or certified in an applicable field of study.

(b) When requesting the approval of a specialized instructional service provider who is not included on the Department’s approved list, a parent must submit the Department’s Form VPK-SIS3, Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for Voluntary Prekindergarten Children with Disabilities – Parent Request, effective September 2012 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01596), which is incorporated by reference herein. Form VPK-SIS3 may be obtained from the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. This form must be received no later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the beginning of the program (school year or summer program). Providers approved at the request of a parent remain approved for the period of the child’s eligibility for VPK, or until the provider’s license or certification is suspended, revoked, or expired, whichever occurs earlier.

Rulemaking Authority 1002.66, 1002.73(2), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.66 FS. History–New 9-16-12.