Specialized Instructional Services Providers
A child who has a disability as evidenced by a current individual educational plan (IEP) and is age-eligible for VPK becomes eligible for specialized instructional services (SIS). The Department of Education approves SIS providers whose services meet statutory standards, maintains a list of approved providers, and notifies each school district and early learning coalition of the approved provider list.
Parents with questions about accessing SIS for their child or SIS providers with questions beyond approval, should contact Florida's Office of Early Learning at 1-866-447-1159 or their local early learning coalition.
- Fact Sheet: Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Specialized Instructional Services Educational Program (PDF)
- Fact Sheet: Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Specialized Instructional Services Educational Program - Spanish Version (PDF)
- How to Apply for VPK Specialized Instructional Services (PDF)
- How to Apply for VPK Specialized Instructional Services - Spanish Version (PDF)
Certain categories of certified providers are approved automatically and require no forms be submitted to the Department of Education.
- Individuals certified pursuant to section 393.17, F.S., or licensed pursuant to chapter 490, F.S., or chapter 491, F.S., for applied behavior analysis services as defined under Sections 627.6686 and 641.31098, F.S.
- Speech-language pathologists licensed under Section 468.1185, F.S.
- Occupational therapists licensed under chapter 468, Part III, F.S.
- Physical therapists licensed under chapter 486, F.S.
- Clinical social workers licensed under chapter 491, F.S.
- Psychologists licensed under chapter 490, F.S.
The following SIS applicants should use DOE Form VPK-SIS1.
- Listening and Spoken Language Specialists™ certified by the Alexander Graham Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language.
- Board-certified behavior analysts certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® pursuant to Rule 65G-4.0011, F.A.C.
If an applicant for SIS has a license or certification in an applicable field of study not covered above, he or she should use DOE Form VPK-SIS2.
A parent can also apply to have a provider approved for SIS (DOE Form VPK-SIS3). To be approved, the provider's services must:
- Be consistent with the child's individual educational plan.
- Be provided by a service provider licensed or certified in an applicable field of study.
- Be delivered according to professionally accepted standards.
- Be delivered in accordance with the performance standards adopted by the department for use in VPK.
- Address the age-appropriate progress of the child in developing the capabilities, capacities and skills required under s. 1(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution.
State Board Approved Rule and Forms (Approved 7-17-12)
Rule 6A-6 03033 - Specialized Instructional Services for Voluntary Prekindergarten Children with Disabilities (RTF)- DOE Form VPK-SIS1 (RTF, 124KB)
- DOE Form VPK-SIS2 (RTF, 124KB)
- DOE Form VPK-SIS3 (RTF, 132KB)
Approved SIS Providers
Several categories of certified providers are approved automatically and not listed here. You will find more information about those categories in the rule approved by the state board. You can refer to Section 1002.66, Florida Statutes (F.S.), to read the law.Approved SIS Providers (8-05-2022)
Resources
Form OEL-VPK 01S Supplemental Application
Form OEL-VPK 02S - Part A - Certificate of Eligibility
