ESE

Name
Title
Phone
Email
Bailey, Wendy ESE Transition/Parent Specialist 850-547-9341 x1258 Email
Benton, Breezy Occupational Therapist 850-547-9341 x1244 Email
Butorac, Donnita Director of Exceptional Student Education 850-547-9341 x1233 Email
Niemi, Teresa ESE Staffing Clerk 850-547-9341 x1249 Email
Sheffield, Kim Program Specialist/Speech Language Pathologist 850-547-9341 x1250 Email

Family Empowerment Scholarship Information

FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP—EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS

The Family Empowerment Scholarship—Educational Options (FES EO) Program was established to enhance Florida's menu of education options. It will provide children whose families have limited financial resources with the opportunity to attend the school that best meets their needs and enables them to reach their academic goals.

The FES EO program provides eligible students a scholarship to attend a private school selected by the parent. A student is eligible for FES EO if the student meets the following criteria:

*     The student's household income does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level ($111,000 for a family of four) or the student is on the direct certification list (list of children who qualify for the food assistance program, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program, or the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations program); or

*     The student is currently placed, or during the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home care as defined in section 39.01, Florida Statutes; or

*     The student is a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces or a law enforcement officer.

*     Prior to scholarship funds being awarded, the student must be accepted and enrolled in a participating private school. For a list of eligible schools, please view the Department's Private School Directory. A private school that is currently eligible to participate in any of the scholarship programs is eligible to participate in FES EO; however, parents should contact the school to inquire as to whether the private school will participate in the program.

 

Parents who meet the eligibility requirements above and are interested in applying for FES EO should first contact one of Florida's two approved scholarship funding organizations (contact information below) to complete the income verification process.

For  more   information,  please  visit the Department of  Education  website  at www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ or contact Matt Tate at 547-9341 x1262 or matt.tate@hdsb.org.