What is SEDNET?

SEDNET is a network of 19 regional projects that are comprised of the major child-serving agencies, community-based service providers, students, and their families. Local school districts serve as fiscal agents for each regional project. Within this framework, SEDNET focuses on developing interagency collaboration and sustaining partnerships among professionals and families in the education, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare and juvenile justice systems, serving children and youth with and at-risk of emotional/behavioral disabilities (E/BD).

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Director, Behavior Mental Health Support

Denisse Santos

In 2010, the SEDNET Administration project was added, and it provides technical assistance and support in building service capacity within the 19 regional projects and collaborates in the related state-level activities impacting the system of care. It is located at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Florida’s statewide network of SEDNET projects serve as a collaborative resource for school districts, agencies and families working to promote positive educational and community-based outcomes for children with E/BD.

  • Capacity building to support the implementation of an effective system of care practices
  • Technical assistance and training
  • Interagency collaboration
  • Systems of care and educational legislation and policy
  • Parent and youth development and involvement

SEDNET Region 14 serves the school districts of Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. Targeted goals include increased awareness in the areas of trauma-informed care and school-based mental health services, improved student outcomes through the use of the multi-tiered systems of support process, the reduction of restraint and seclusion, the reduction of out-of-school suspension days for students with disabilities and improved graduation rates for students with or at-risk of emotional/behavioral disabilities as a result of transition activities in collaboration with Project 10.

Project initiatives focus on helping students participate fully in the least restrictive environment in both the school and community.

SEDNET is funded by the State of Florida, Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, through federal assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B.