1A comprehensive transitional education program serves individuals who have developmental disabilities, severe maladaptive behaviors, severe maladaptive behaviors and co-occurring complex medical conditions, or a dual diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness. Services provided by the program must be temporary in nature and delivered in a manner designed to achieve the primary goal of incorporating the principles of self-determination and person-centered planning to transition individuals to the most appropriate, least restrictive community living option of their choice which is not operated as a comprehensive transitional education program. The supervisor of the clinical director of the program licensee must hold a doctorate degree with a primary focus in behavior analysis from an accredited university, be a certified behavior analyst pursuant to s. 122393.17, 123and have at least 1 year of experience in providing behavior analysis services for individuals in developmental disabilities. The staff must include behavior analysts and teachers, as appropriate, who must be available to provide services in each component center or unit of the program. A behavior analyst must be certified pursuant to s. 176393.17177.178(1) 179Comprehensive transitional education programs must include the following components:188(a) 189Intensive treatment and education.193-194This component provides intensive behavioral and educational programming for individuals whose conditions preclude placement in a less restrictive environment due to the threat of danger or injury to themselves or others. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.
232(b) 233Intensive training and education.237-238This component provides concentrated psychological and educational programming that emphasizes a transition toward a less restrictive environment. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.
262(c) 263Transition.264-265This component provides educational programs and any support services, training, and care that are needed to avoid regression to more restrictive environments while preparing individuals for more independent living. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.
301(2) 302Components of a comprehensive transitional education program are subject to the license issued under s. 317393.067 318to a comprehensive transitional education program and may be located on a single site or multiple sites as long as such components are located within the same agency region. 347(3) 348Comprehensive transitional education programs shall develop individual education plans for each school-aged person with maladaptive behaviors, severe maladaptive behaviors and co-occurring complex medical conditions, or a dual diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness who receives services from the program. Each individual education plan shall be developed in accordance with the criteria specified in 20 U.S.C. ss. 401 et seq., and 34 C.F.R. part 300. Educational components of the program, including individual education plans, to the extent possible, must be integrated with the programs of the referring school district of each school-aged resident.
441(4) 442The total number of persons in a comprehensive transitional education program who are being provided with services may not exceed 120 residents, and each residential unit within the component centers of a program authorized under this section may not exceed 15 residents. However, a program that was authorized to operate residential units with more than 15 residents before July 1, 2015, may continue to operate such units.
509(5) 510Any licensee that has executed a settlement agreement with the agency that is enforceable by the court must comply with the terms of the settlement agreement or be subject to discipline as provided by law or rule.
547(6) 548The agency may approve the proposed admission or readmission of individuals into a comprehensive transitional education program for up to 2 years subject to a specific review process. The agency may allow an individual to reside in this setting for a longer period of time if, after a clinical review is conducted by the agency, it is determined that remaining in the program for a longer period of time is in the best interest of the individual.
