The 2016 Session ended with a number of positive actions affecting the McKay Scholarship.  We want to thank Senator Kelli Stargel and Representative Michael Bileca for championing McKay legislation and guiding it through the process.              

   The Coalition also wants to recognize the many emails from member schools which helped to move the Senate bill through the committees.  Voices from the constituents do make a difference.  We greatly appreciate Senator Don Gaetz and Senator Tom Lee listening to those voices and giving the bill the opportunity to being heard in their committees.

   Robyn Rennick, Legislative Chair of The Coalition, attended each of the committee meetings and assisted legislators in understanding the importance of this legislation. 

   CS/HB 837 was passed on March 9 and has been sent to the Governor to be signed.

   This legislation allows for the following changes to the McKay Scholarship Program:

1.  Foster children will be exempt from the requirement to be enrolled in the public school for a year before being eligible for the McKay Scholarship. 

2.  A Transition-To-Work Program for students on the McKay Scholarship, ages 17 – 22 years of age, may be developed by schools participating in the McKay Scholarship and offered to their students.  Previous to this, the attendance policy did not allow for this type of program.  This will allow wonderful opportunities for our students who require a more hands-on approach to employment training.

3.  The deductions from the McKay Scholarships of students taking FLVS courses have been removed, beginning July 1^st.  McKay students may take 2 courses from FLVS each year and their scholarship will not be affected.

   While this legislation may only affect approximately 1000 students each year, these are students with disabilities whose lives may very well be changed because of these opportunities.