As a speech-language pathologist dedicated to helping children reach their full potential, I am proud to be a participating provider with Florida’s Step Up for Students scholarship program. This initiative is transforming the way families access quality therapy services—removing barriers and making it easier for children to receive the support they deserve.
What is Step Up for Students?
Step Up for Students is a Florida nonprofit that administers several state-approved scholarship programs, including the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). This scholarship provides families with direct funding they can use to pay for approved educational and therapeutic services, such as:
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
- Curriculum and learning materials
- Specialized tutoring
Families receive funds in a Personal Education Savings Account (ESA), giving them the flexibility to choose the services and providers that best meet their child’s unique needs.
How the Program Works
- Apply for the Scholarship – Parents can apply online through Step Up for Students. Once approved, they are awarded an annual amount based on their county and grade level.
- Receive ESA Funds – The funds are deposited into the family’s online ESA account.
- Choose Approved Providers – Families can search Step Up’s marketplace for approved providers like me and schedule services directly.
- Submit Invoices for Payment – After sessions are completed, invoices are submitted through the ESA portal and paid from the family’s scholarship balance.
This simple process puts families in control of their child’s education and therapy journey.
Benefits for Families
Participating in Step Up provides several key advantages:
- Financial Relief: Therapy costs can add up quickly. Step Up covers these expenses, reducing the burden on families.
- Flexibility: Parents choose the provider and schedule that works best for them.
- Consistency of Care: By removing financial barriers, children are more likely to receive ongoing, consistent therapy—which leads to better outcomes.
- Tailored Services: Families can combine different therapies and resources to create a truly individualized plan.
My Commitment as a Step Up Provider
As a Florida Step Up provider, I am committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based speech therapy services in a supportive and family-centered environment. I work closely with parents to set meaningful goals, track progress, and ensure that every child’s therapy plan aligns with their developmental needs.
My goal is to make the process as stress-free as possible—helping families navigate their ESA accounts, submit invoices correctly, and maximize the benefits of their scholarship.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s Step Up for Students program is changing lives every day. If your child has unique learning or communication needs, this scholarship could be a powerful resource to get them the help they need without financial strain.
If you’d like to learn more about how to use your Step Up funds for speech therapy, or if you’re just getting started with the application process, I’d be happy to guide you. Contact me today!
