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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #3430 |
| Tampa Autism Project (TAP) |
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| Requester: |
Dr. James Hamilton |
Organization: |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
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| Project Title: |
Tampa Autism Project (TAP) |
Date Submitted |
1/13/2006 4:32:09 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Crist |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Although opinions vary about the reason for the rise in number of children with Autism, one thing is for certain - children with Autism who receive intensive, appropriate services at an earlier age have better outcomes than those who do not receive such services.
This project addresses the difficult educational and community issues and challenges facing the state and local district, due to the dramatically increasing population of children with autism.
This project would take "best practices" for developmental assistance and education of autistic children and implement the specialized efforts as early as possible. The state would benefit from the early intervention and specialized, concentrated efforts of this program to more effectively help children diagnosed with autism, which would result in allieviating the symptoms of autism and associated difficulties or, in some cases, even eliminating autism.
It would provide an effective means in which early, intensive intervention can be tailored to provide the necessary services and education as early as possible in the least restrictive setting possible to assist autistic children reach their optimum level of development.
The program would also provide a setting in which specialized training for teachers can be obtained for educators who desire to work with autistic children who may stay in the Tampa Bay area or go on to work with autistic children in other parts of the state. |
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| Recipient: |
Hillsborough County Public Schools |
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Contact: |
Dr. James Hamilton |
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901 East Kennedy Blvd |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 272-4101 |
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Tampa 33602 |
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Contact email: |
James.Hamilton@sdhc.k12.fl.us |
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| Counties: |
Hillsborough, {Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| The Tampa Autism Project (TAP) is a multi-year start-up and implementation pilot to take us from research to practice in the education of students with autism.
The project would be based on research reports that effective therapy/treatment or an instructional program is: based on current research and effective practices; inclusive of a variety of methods and approaches in intervention and program planning; based on comprehensive assessment results; determined by a multidisciplinary team that includes parents; reflective of the individual's area of need, which drive the curriculum or service plan; outcome based; provided by appropriately trained and competent personnel, which can include parents as appropriate; and inclusive of entrance and exit criteria.
Any intervention or instructional program that is not effective in meeting documented needs of the child/student is revised or discontinued.
The project will be implemented at District elementary sites to be determined (7 to 14 sites, serving approximately 100 students). The program will take existing Pre-K ASD classrooms, pair with other Pre-K ESE classes and provide specific enhancements such as a specialized curriculum, support services, constant training, parent services, and support personnel. A partnership and contracted arrangements for services will be developed with the University of South Florida and the Center for Autism Research and Development (CARD). |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The overall outcome anticipated is to improve school performance and to have least-restrictive environment placements for students with autism as they enter elementary school.
Our goal is to create an effective early intervention system that takes us from research to practice, is non-categorical, and seamless. Emphasis would be placed on: delivering flexible and comprehensive services in many settings; promoting effective inclusive practices; delivering intensive support services for all students - including but not limited to speech/language, therapies, behavior supports, diagnostics and assessment; and ongoing monitoring for effective case management. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$4,140,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$4,140,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$3,500,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$1,280,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations, Construction, Total 3-year operating seed funds |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
School District Data Reports and community needs assessments |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
