This school year, the ESE Department is excited about working with a number of organizations in our community to provide parents with a variety of resources and supports that they might find to be beneficial. This year, we will have workshops and trainings provided by Family Network on Disabilities (FND), the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resource System (FDLRS), Carelon, FIN (formerly Florida Inclusion Network), and Project 10. Our goal is to provide parents and families of students with disabilities the training and information they need to help their children reach their highest potential as responsible, productive citizens.

Lunch and Learns will continue in the 2025-2026 school year!! The tentative dates for these events…

Wednesday, 9/3 FND- Helping with Homework

Wednesday, 10/1 Simply Health/Carelon- Communicating Childhood Experiences: Promoting Positive Peer Relationships

Wednesday, 11/5 FND- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Wednesday, 12/3 Simply Health/Carelon- How to Talk to Kids About Mental Health

Wednesday, 1/7 FND- Caregiver  Stress and Burnout: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

Wednesday, 2/4 FIN- Parent Tips for Executive Functioning

Wednesday, 3/4 FIN- Tips for Supporting Organizational Skills

Wednesday, 4/1 FND- Beginning the Journey I and II (combined)

Wednesday 5/6 FIN- Building Independence

These events are virtual and will take place at 11:30 AM on the scheduled day. Information for each of these events will be provided at a later time.

 

This year, we will also be offering Empower Hour Parent Trainings! The tentative dates for these events are:

Wednesday, 9/17 Project 10- Overview

Wednesday, 10/15 FDLRS- Developing an IEP

Wednesday, 11/19 Project 10- Transition Basics

Wednesday, 1/21 FDLRS- Successful Home Connection

Wednesday, 2/18 Project 10- Deferment and Extended Transition Programming

Wednesday, 4/15 FDLRS- Early Literacy

Wednesday, 5/20 Project 10- Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy

These events are also virtual and will take place at 2:00 PM on the scheduled day. Information for each of these events will be provided at a later time.

 

We are excited to announce that we will also be having four face-to-face events this school year! The tentative dates and topics for these events are:

Tuesday, 10/28: College and Career Readiness Night from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM at Osceola High School (Auditorium)

Thursday, 12/18: Program Highlight Night

Thursday, 2/26: An Evening with the Agencies

Thursday, 4/23: Early Education Parent Night

The times and locations of these events will be shared at a later date.

 

 

Below you will find access to the recordings for the 2025-2026 Lunch & Learn and Empower Hour Virtual Parent Trainings (if the trainings were able to be recorded) as well as archives for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 trainings:

2025-2026 School Year

September 2025
FND PEN "Helping with Homework"

 

 

 

2024-2025 School Year

September 2024

FND and SDOC Overview 2024

"All About the Apps" was not recorded

October 2024

Understanding Your IEP

Positive Beginnings to Positive Behavior Intervention Support

November 2024

Where's Your Oxygen Mask

December 2024

IDEA: An Overview

IDEA: FAPE and Evaluation

February 2025

Transition to Kindergarten

IDEA: The Rights of Students with Disabilities to an IEP and LRE

March 2025

IDEA: The Power of Parent Participation and Procedural Safeguards

Nuts and Bolts of Self Advocacy

Nuts and Bolts of Self-Determination

April 2025

Autism Awareness: UCF CARD

May 2025

Osceola School District ESE Update - May 2025

How Do I Choose a Healthcare Provider?

 

2023-2024 School Year

September 2023 FND Overview & Resources for You

October 2023 Collaborative Communication and Effective Parent-Teacher Conference

November 2023 Understanding Your IEP

December 2023 Florida Access Points

January 2024 Nuts and Bolts of Diploma Options

February 2024 Assistive Technology

March 2024 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

April 2024 Autism Awareness UCF CARD

May 2024 Being the Best Advocate for Your Child and Family

 

Below you will find resources shared (if available) from the various trainings provided during the 2025-26 school year.

Powerwalk through Project 10's Publications, Trainings and Website Virtual Parent Training 9/17/25 (Empower Hour) Project 10: Transition Education Network is Florida’s statewide IDEA funded state project supporting the secondary transition of youth with disabilities. It is funded by the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), within the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Project 10’s primary charge is to assist school districts in providing appropriate planning and timely transition services and programs to assist youth with disabilities in their transition to adulthood The training featured the following Project 10 publications: Middle School Secondary Planning Trail Map for Families This resource will assist families to identify ways to support their youth as they transition to middle school, to high school and, ultimately, to adult life. The resources and references are contained in a separate document  Secondary Transition Roadmap for Families This resource assists families to become familiar with graduation and post-school options available to students with disabilities. This sixteen-page booklet shares easy-to-follow directions that guide families and students toward transition destinations, including high school graduation and beyond. Considering Age of Majority This resource describes the age of majority and what families and schools can expect with the transfer of rights from the parent to the student at age 18. New related legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2023 is included. Other topics addressed in this resource are an overview of decision-making options from guardianship to supported decision-making and a list of additional related resources.  The 411 on the Big 5 This resource offers vital information, including contacts and links, regarding five organizations outlined in Section 1003.5716, Florida Statutes, dedicated to assisting students and their families with secondary and postsecondary transition. These organizations comprise the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Division of Blind Services (DBS), Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL), Florida Center for Students with Unique Disabilities (FCSUA), and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The provided information is organized to address three fundamental inquiries: 1) How each agency supports transition-age youth with disabilities, 2) The process and age requirements for students to apply for agency services, and 3) Key insights that families and school districts should grasp regarding each agency. For a complete list of publications, you can visit the Project 10 Website   Simply Health Carelon Effective Communication Skills Virtual Parent Training 10/1/25 (Lunch & Learn) Effective Communication Powerpoint Presentation