Welcome to Informed Parents United Together! IPUT is dedicated to the full Inclusion for our Children and Adults with Disabilties in Society! IPUT is a Non-for Profit Organization and Volunteer Based!

2.)
State Complaint Procedures
In addition to mediation, the FDOE maintains a state complaint procedure whereby parents and other interested parties may file a state complaint alleging that a school district has violated state or federal requirements regarding the education of students with disabilities. The state complaint procedures are disseminated to parents and other interested individuals, including parent training and information centers.
State complaints may be filed by sending a signed, written complaint to Chief, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, Florida Department of Education, Turlington Building, Room 614, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.
The signed, written complaint must
• include a statement which describes how a requirement of the IDEA has not been met
• include an explanation of the facts onwhich the statement is based
• allege a violation that occurred within one year of the date when the complaint is filed, unless the violation is continuing or you are requesting compensatory services for a violation which occurred within three years of the date the complaint is filed.
On receipt of a formal complaint filed by you, the FDOE will advise you of your right to alternate resolution activities, including mediation, and within sixty (60) calendar days after a complaint is date-stamped in the bureau chief’s office, the FDOE must
• conduct an independent on-site investigation, if the FDOE determines that is necessary
• provide you with the opportunity to submit additional information either orally or in writing about the allegations in the complaint
• review all relevant information and make an independent determination as to whether the school district is violating a state or federal requirement regarding the education of students with disabilities
• issue a written decision to you that addresses each issue presented in the complaint, including findings of fact, conclusions, and the reasons for the FDOE’s final decision
• extend the 60-day time limit if exceptional circumstances exist.

3.)
Florida Child Abuse Hot Line 1-800-962-2873
Please see page 11 of 21 and 15 of 21.
The Welfare of Children Act (HB 7173) amended the definition of "other person responsible for the child's welfare" to include school personnel, thus making it mandatory to report suspected abuse by school personnel.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?

FileName=h7173d.HFC.doc&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=7173&Session=2006

4.)

Ask you local and state legislators to help with the following:
A. Request that the Florida Department of Education make it a priority and take immediate action to create policies and procedures for all FL public schools to follow for restraint and seclusion. Reason: Our children are being unnecessarily restrained and put in seclusion. Our children are being injured and traumatized.
B. Create a law to monitor policies and procedures. Hold schools accountable for not following the policies and procedures when complaints are filed with school districts or the DOE.

Find your Legislators by ZIP+4 Code (the 4 extra number can be found on most of your incoming mail next to your zip code)
http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Mode=Find%20Your%20Legislator&Submenu=3&Tab=legislators&ZipCode=33436

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