(1) Comprehensive transitional education programs must include the following components:

(a) Intensive treatment and education.—This component provides intensive behavioral and educational programming for individuals whose conditions preclude placement in a less restrictive environment due to the threat of danger or injury to themselves or others. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.

(b) Intensive training and education.—This component provides concentrated psychological and educational programming that emphasizes a transition toward a less restrictive environment. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.

(c) Transition.—This component provides educational programs and any support services, training, and care that are needed to avoid regression to more restrictive environments while preparing individuals for more independent living. Continuous-shift staff are required for this component.

(2) Components of a comprehensive transitional education program are subject to the license issued under s. 393.067 to a comprehensive transitional education program and may be located on a single site or multiple sites as long as such components are located within the same agency region.

(3) Comprehensive transitional education programs shall develop individual education plans for each school-aged person with maladaptive behaviors, severe maladaptive behaviors and co-occurring complex medical conditions, or a dual diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness who receives services from the program. Each individual education plan shall be developed in accordance with the criteria specified in 20 U.S.C. ss. 401 et seq., and 34 C.F.R. part 300. Educational components of the program, including individual education plans, to the extent possible, must be integrated with the programs of the referring school district of each school-aged resident.

(4) The total number of persons in a comprehensive transitional education program who are being provided with services may not exceed 120 residents, and each residential unit within the component centers of a program authorized under this section may not exceed 15 residents. However, a program that was authorized to operate residential units with more than 15 residents before July 1, 2015, may continue to operate such units.

(5) Any licensee that has executed a settlement agreement with the agency that is enforceable by the court must comply with the terms of the settlement agreement or be subject to discipline as provided by law or rule.

(6) The agency may approve the proposed admission or readmission of individuals into a comprehensive transitional education program for up to 2 years subject to a specific review process. The agency may allow an individual to reside in this setting for a longer period of time if, after a clinical review is conducted by the agency, it is determined that remaining in the program for a longer period of time is in the best interest of the individual.

History.—s. 33, ch. 2006-227; s. 2, ch. 2010-193; s. 76, ch. 2014-19; ss. 25, 26, ch. 2015-222; ss. 45, 46, 126, ch. 2016-62; s. 16, ch. 2016-65; ss. 8, 10, ch. 2016-140; s. 21, ch. 2017-3.