University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

There is created at the University of Florida the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

(1) The center shall:

(a) Collaborate with state and local agencies that provide early intervention, educational, medical, employment, financial, and daily living services. The center shall also collaborate with other entities that provide autism research and services, including, but not limited to, the Florida State University Autism Institute, each Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Children and Families.

(b) Coordinate information and resources related to research, best practices, training, and public awareness to better support families of children with autism.

(c) Develop strategies to promote public awareness of the signs of autism, the importance of early screening, and interventions and supports available to families. The center shall assist in the assignment of a toll-free number for autism support.

(d) Catalog and distribute best practices related to screening tools, diagnosis, and interventions.

(e) Review and approve applications for specialized summer programs for children with autism pursuant to s. 1003.5712. The center shall act as the fiscal agent for grant funds and develop minimum requirements for the creation of specialized summer programs.

(f) Develop an autism micro-credential to provide specialized training in supporting students with autism.

1. The micro-credential must be stackable with the autism endorsement and be available to:

a. Instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2);

b. Prekindergarten instructors as specified in ss. 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63; and

c. Child care personnel as defined in ss. 402.302(3) and 1002.88(1)(e).

2. The micro-credential must require participants to demonstrate competency in:

a. Identifying behaviors associated with autism.

b. Supporting the learning environment in both general and specialized classroom settings.

c. Promoting the use of assistive technologies.

d. Applying evidence-based instructional practices.

3. The micro-credential must:

a. Be provided at no cost to eligible participants.

b. Be competency-based, allowing participants to complete the credentialing process either in person or online.

c. Permit participants to receive the micro-credential at any time during training once competency is demonstrated.

4. Individuals eligible under subparagraph 1. who complete the micro-credential are eligible for a one-time stipend, as determined in the General Appropriations Act. The center shall administer stipends for the micro-credential.

(g) Develop strategies to increase the workforce qualified to provide autism-related services to children and adults in a public or private setting.

(h) Develop and catalog professional learning activities for health care, child welfare, and instructional personnel.

(i) Administer startup grants for autism charter schools pursuant to s. 1003.5711 and provide technical assistance to grant applicants and recipients. The center shall also review access to federal funding sources for establishing charter schools for students with autism and include in its annual report recommendations for improving practical access.

(j) Catalog best practices for screening, referral, and diagnosis; access to therapy services; and other licensed practitioner services using private and public insurance, to include access to services in schools.

(k) Beginning August 1, 2026, and each August 1 thereafter, publish on its website a report detailing activities, expenditures, and outcomes from the previous year. The report must include the grants administered by the center and recommendations for improvement.

(2) The host state university may not charge any indirect administrative fees to the center.