Over half of the children with disabilities receiving intensive services from Florida's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program also receive therapeutic or support services from at least one other state-funded program. In Fiscal Year 2000-01, state, federal, and local expenditures totaled $464.9 million for the 11,984 children receiving intensive services from the ESE program and one or more additional programs.
To avoid duplication, services to children served by two or more programs must be carefully coordinated. While several coordination mechanisms exist and available documentation indicates that services are not unnecessarily duplicative, coordination levels between schools and agencies vary throughout the state. The Department of Education is taking steps to encourage more coordination.

Steps Taken to Maximize Federal Revenue for Exceptional Student Education Program
Report 06-49 May 2006
Maximizing Federal Revenue Could Help Offset Costly Services for Children with Disabilities
Report 04-16 February 2004
Florida Could Avoid $1.5 Million Annually in ESE Costs for Out-of-State Students Who Are Placed in Private Residential Facilities
Report 03-58 November 2003
Exceptional Student Education Population Grows Dramatically; More Accountability and Better Training Needed to Implement Funding Matrix
Report 03-40 July 2003

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.