If your child receives ABA in Jacksonville, bringing that support into the classroom can help new skills show up where they matter most. Florida law gives Duval County families the same right as families anywhere in the state: section 1003.572 says private providers hired by parents "must be permitted" to observe, collaborate and provide services in the school setting once two conditions are met. This guide covers the Duval-specific steps, local resources such as FDLRS Crown, and tips for military families. For the full legal background, read our statewide guide to private ABA in public schools under s. 1003.572.
What does the law require in Duval County?
The statute is the same in every Florida district. Under s. 1003.572(3), private instructional personnel hired by parents may work in the school "according to the following requirements: (a) The student's public instructional personnel and principal consent to the time and place. (b) The private instructional personnel satisfy the requirements of s. 1012.32 or s. 1012.321." The 2023 amendment added: "For the purpose of implementing this subsection, a school district may not impose any requirements beyond those requirements specified in this subsection or charge any fees."
The law covers BCBAs and other behavior analysts it names, and RBTs who work under a qualifying supervisor and are "employed by a provider described in paragraph (a)." It also says private personnel do not replace the district's duties: bringing a provider "does not constitute a waiver of the student's or parent's right to a free and appropriate public education."
We could not confirm a current written Duval County Public Schools procedure for private instructional personnel when this guide was checked. Ask your school's ESE contact for the district's procedure and any forms, and keep the answer in writing.
Step by step for Duval families
- Decide the purpose with your BCBA. Observation only, teacher collaboration, direct support in class, or a mix. Name the target skills, such as transitions, group instructions or requesting breaks.
- Check coverage. Health plans differ on whether ABA in a school setting is covered and whether it must be in the authorized treatment plan. Read ABA at school and insurance, or ask for a free benefits check.
- Talk to the ESE contact or case manager. Ask who coordinates private providers at your school and whether the district uses a specific form.
- Send a written request to the principal and teacher citing s. 1003.572 and proposing days, times and a location. Use our letter template.
- Complete screening. Your provider completes Level 2 screening through the district's process, or documents the s. 1012.321 exception for staff already screened under certain other programs.
- Confirm time and place by email so everyone has the same record.
- Add collaboration to the IEP conversation. Invite your BCBA to IEP meetings under Rule 6A-6.03028(3)(c)7., which lets parents invite "other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the student."
- Review after a few weeks with the teacher and BCBA.
Example timeline only: screening, scheduling and insurance authorization can each take several weeks, and timing varies by school.
What if the school asks for a fee or says no?
Ask for the reason in writing. A school can reasonably adjust times, for example around testing, because consent covers "time and place." Extra conditions or fees are harder to square with the 2023 language. There is an open question about who pays for fingerprinting, since s. 1012.465(2) says Level 2 screening costs "may be borne by the district school board, the contractor, or the person fingerprinted." If a fee comes up, ask which statute the school relies on. For disputes, a Florida education attorney can advise, and our guide to IEP dispute options lists state routes.
Which local resources help Duval families?
- FDLRS Crown, 1531 Winthrop St., Jacksonville, FL 32206, phone 904-346-4601, serves Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. FDLRS centers handle Child Find screening for children aged 3 to 5 and support families and educators. See FDLRS and Child Find.
- Your school's ESE contact is the first stop for evaluations, IEP meetings and private-provider requests.
- CARD, Early Steps and APD: addresses and phone numbers are in our Duval County autism resources guide.
If your child does not have an IEP yet, request an evaluation in writing. Florida's rule gives the district 30 days to seek your consent or explain a refusal in writing, and once you consent, the evaluation must be done within 60 calendar days, with some breaks excluded. See how to request a school evaluation.
Tips for Jacksonville military families
Jacksonville has a large military community. If you are moving in on orders, a few points help:
- Bring every school record: the current IEP, evaluations and progress reports. See transferring an IEP to Florida.
- Use your installation's school liaison. Military school liaisons help families navigate local schools; see school liaison officers in Florida.
- Check TRICARE rules for school-based ABA before you schedule. TRICARE covers ABA through its Autism Care Demonstration, which has its own rules; read TRICARE ABA at school.
- FES-UA eligibility includes the dependent children of service members with permanent change of station orders to Florida; see our FES-UA explainer, and remember a scholarship student gives up the district's FAPE duty.
How Hope Center helps in Jacksonville
Hope Center has a Jacksonville center at 7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256, and provides ABA in homes, schools, daycares and the community. Programs are written by BCBAs and delivered by RBTs, our clinical director reviews every plan before it goes to insurance, and our staff can join IEP meetings where allowed. We accept TRICARE East (Humana Military), Florida Blue, Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR and Personify Health, with self-pay on a sliding scale. There is no waitlist. Visit our Jacksonville ABA page, contact us, or call 561-337-8865 for a free consultation and free benefits check.