There is nothing scarier than not being able to find your child; that fear increases when your child has special needs
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and Senator Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) have re-filed legislation to ensure all school districts have School Staff Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) Teams and a school elopement plan to better serve and support Florida’s students with special needs.
HB 423/SB 494 requires that SAFE Teams are established within schools and that they craft school elopement plans. These plans must be updated annually and include:
- Immediate Notification: The student’s parent or guardian will be contacted without delay to inform them of the situation.
- Coordinated On-Campus Search: Staff will conduct an immediate and coordinated on-campus search of the school grounds to locate the student.
- Emergency Services Engagement: If there is verified information or direct observation indicating that the student has left campus and may be at risk of harm, emergency services will be contacted promptly.
Additionally, SAFE teams are to provide training to all school personnel to familiarize such personnel with the school elopement plan and all necessary procedures. If a student with disabilities is prone to elopement, the SAFE Team, in coordination with the student’s parent(s), must create a student-specific elopement quick reference guide, too.
According to the National Autism Association, roughly half, or 48%, of children with an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attempt to elope from a safe environment, a rate nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 91% total U.S. deaths reported in children with an ASD ages 14 and younger subsequent to wandering/elopement. 32% of parents reported a “close call” with a possible drowning.
Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani stated, “I’m proud to partner with Senator Kristen Arrington to re-file legislation ensuring every Florida school has a trained SAFE Team and a clear, proactive elopement prevention plan. Our bill requires immediate family notification, coordinated on-campus searches, and swift engagement with emergency services when a student is believed to be off campus and at risk. With nearly half of children with autism attempting to elope from safe environments, these safeguards are urgently needed. Every student deserves to be safe at school, and every parent deserves peace of mind.”
Senator Kristen Arrington emphasized, “I am proud to refile SB 494, a critical bill that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of our students. This long-overdue measure would finally bring Florida in line with states that have already taken action on this issue. By establishing clear, statewide guidelines, we can equip school districts with the tools and support they need to protect our most vulnerable children. It also gives parents confidence that, in an emergency, their child’s school will be prepared to respond quickly and effectively.”
Monica Carretero is a Florida Mom of a child with autism. Her child was diagnosed in 2015 at the age of three, and began to develop a habit of eloping from his home. Once, he eloped from his school classroom and was found at the outdoor basketball court. Monica was eventually notified about this, and as a member of a special need’s advocacy group, felt compelled to do more to ensure the safety of all kids.
“I constantly learn of neurodiverse children eloping from classrooms. In some instances, the children have been found miles away. In other occasions, children are found too late, resulting in physical harm or, in some instances, death,” stressed Monica. “As a society, we need to be more assertive in protecting the needs, safety, and dignity of the neurodiverse population. All special needs students in Florida deserve the same protection. All schools should be equally safe for all special needs students, and that is why I fully support this bill,” said Monica Carretero.
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