Outreach
FSDB serves as a trusted resource throughout the state of Florida and beyond, providing comprehensive programs and services for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Connect with us
The goal of the FSDB Outreach Department is to increase awareness about the many campus based and statewide programs and services offered by the School. These include but are not limited to the following:
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Pre-K and K-12 educational programming tailored to the individualized needs of students.
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Distance learning and statewide training opportunities.
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Exhibits and presentations at local, regional, and statewide conferences.
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Student evaluation services for school districts.
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Expanded core curriculum academies available.
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Expo-themed orientation to campus programs and services.
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Parent/family engagement and training opportunities.
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Early intervention services for families of children 0-5 years of age.
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School-age outreach opportunities.
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Campus tours for families of prospective students.
The FSDB Outreach Department works closely with district school leadership and special education personnel throughout the state of Florida with the goal of maximizing opportunities for student success.
Director
elizabeth wilcox
Elizabeth A. Wilcox has worked with visually impaired and dual sensory impaired students for 15 years in various settings and leadership roles. After graduation in 2004, Wilcox moved from Pennsylvania to Florida to start her first teaching job at FSDB. She took on successive roles in the FSDB Blind Department as an Elementary School Teacher, Off Campus Academic Coordinator, Braille Specialist, and Assistive Technology Specialist. In between her time at FSDB, she was an Itinerant Vision Teacher and Vision Program Specialist for Duval County (Jacksonville, FL) and a Teacher at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. Currently, Wilcox is the Director of the FSDB Outreach Department, where she strives to enhance student education and services across the state of Florida.
Master of Arts, Education, University of North Florida
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education and Visual Disabilities, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
We value our partnerships with parents and families, communities, local and state organizations, and school districts as we collaborate on issues of mutual interest and sharing best practices through training, seminars, and conferences.
About FSDB
At FSDB, students learn to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB is a fully accredited, tuition-free state public school for eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. The School serves 975+ students each year through statewide parent-infant/family programs as well as a Montessori Pre-K early learning center and K-12 elementary, middle, and high schools on its campus.
asl interactive online classes
Parents, family members, and professionals who communicate and work directly with deaf/hard of hearing children either in a classroom or at home can take advantage of eight-week ASL Interactive Online Classes, offered free of charge by FSDB. In addition to weekly class sessions, a virtual lab session is available for participants to practice their sign skills and ask questions. Class instructors present through an online video chat room, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their home or workplace. New classes start March 2, 2020.
CAmpus expos
The FSDB Outreach Department holds free FSDB Expo events during the fall and spring months at its St. Augustine campus, specifically designed for Florida school district personnel serving students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, and deafblind. Attendees visit, learn, and interact at resource exhibits, take in student performances, see FSDB students at work, take part in presentations, tour the campus, and network with Florida school district and FSDB personnel.
Campus tours
The best way to learn about FSDB is to set up a tour of the School campus in St. Augustine. Campus tours are individualized for families of prospective students and external stakeholders who have an interest in learning more about the School. Visitors will have the opportunity to see students at work in the classroom and in school-based enterprises. Tours are normally scheduled on Monday through Friday during regular class times.
Expanded core curriculum academies
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) will host Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Summer Academies—at no cost for eligible Florida students ages 9-16 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired, including boarding and transportation services. Students also will have opportunities to enjoy a variety of recreation and leisure activities and social experiences.
Academy presenters and instructors are certified teachers with experience working with students who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired.
Parent Infant Programs
The FSDB Parent Infant Program within the Parent Services Department offers statewide early intervention, family-centered opportunities free of charge for children ages 0-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. Parent advisors provide individualized professional services in the family’s home and during daily routines, in the child’s natural environment. The Parent Infant Program works collaboratively with the Florida state Early Steps program and the Department of Blind Services.
Parent SERVICES
The FSDB Parent Services Department offers learning, engagement, and capacity-building opportunities for parents/legal guardians of enrolled students. Classes, workshops, meetings, and events throughout the year are designed to promote parental involvement in their child’s growth and learning. In addition to the FSDB Parent Infant Program, the FSDB Early Learning Center (ELC) provides Montessori preschool education for children ages 3-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. Campus tours are also under the purview of the Parent Services Department.
EVALUATION SERVICES
The FSDB Allied Health & Related Services department offers Outreach Evaluation Services assistance to school districts across the state of Florida by evaluating students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind.
School districts can refer students to FSDB for assessment services on the FSDB campus. Evaluation results are shared with the school district IEP team to identify each student's programming needs, classroom accommodations or modifications, and service delivery strategies.
visit us at the following events
additional outreach services
DEAFtec
Deaf Technological Education Center (DeafTEC) is a National Science Foundation-funded initiative developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID). DeafTEC serves as a resource for high schools and community colleges that educate students in STEM-related programs. FSDB is one of four academic partners that continually add website resources to provide stakeholders with access to high quality information. Through DeafTEC Project Fast Forward, FSDB is among 25 partner schools in 12 states that provide RIT/NTID STEM dual credit education courses for students. Additional projects and resources are available through the DeafTec website.
rmtc-dhh
Resource Materials and Technology Center: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-D/HH) is a statewide discretionary project of the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) and functions as a statewide specialized center within the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) network. Located on the FSDB campus, RMTC-D/HH coordinates provision of accessible materials including captioned and signed videos, professional development books, and other reference materials. In addition, RMTC-D/HH staff provide on-site training and technical assistance to Florida school districts, families, and other state and federal discretionary projects serving students who are deaf/hard of hearing.
Contact outreach
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
207 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
PH: 904-827-2455