Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

CJ Ciaramella filed this request with the Department of Education of Florida.
Submitted May 5, 2022
Est. Completion None
Status
Payment Required

From: CJ Ciaramella

Subject: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Florida Sunshine Law, I hereby request the following records:

- all complaints of abusive use of restraint or seclusion in schools or non-compliance with Florida law governing use of restraint and seclusion in schools filed to the department between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

CJ Ciaramella

From: Department of Education

Subject: RE: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

Good afternoon,

We are working on this request and will have information to you as soon as possible.
Best,

Cassie Palelis
Press Secretary
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
O: 850-245-9648
PL: 850-245-0413

From: Department of Education

Subject: RE: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

CJ,

We are working on this request for you and have a clarifying question.

Are you requesting the number of complaints filed for abusive use of restraint or seclusion in schools or non-compliance with Florida law governing the use of restraint or seclusion filed to the department between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021?

Are you requesting all documents associated with such complaints?

Are you requesting both the number and documents?

We look forward to hearing from you, so we can provide accurate responsive records.

Cassie Palelis
Press Secretary
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
O: 850-245-9648
PL: 850-245-0413

From: CJ Ciaramella

Subject: RE: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

Hi,
I apologize for the delay. I'd like to see the complaints themselves, or summaries of the complaints. I don't need all documents associated with complaints, as that would probably be cost-prohibitive. However, if there are any close-out letters sent to complainants when investigations are completed, I would like those as well.

Does this clarify?
- copies of all complaints or summaries of all complaints filed between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021
- close-out letters or findings of investigations sent to complainants between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021.

I'm not sure if the department keeps a log tracking complaints. If it's easier to narrow this down over the phone I can call or contact me at 503-951-9863. Thanks,

CJ

From: Department of Education

Subject: RE: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

Thanks, CJ.

I sent this information to the team. I will let you know if any additional information is needed.
Best,

Cassie Palelis
Press Secretary
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
O: 850-245-9648
PL: 850-245-0413

From: Department of Education

Subject: RE: Florida Sunshine Law Request: Florida Department of Education seclusion and restraint complaints

Email

CJ,

Thank you for contacting the Florida Department of Education. We are in receipt of your public records request received by email dated June 10, 2022, requesting the following information.

1. Copies of all complaints of abusive use of restraint or seclusion in schools or non-compliance with Florida law governing use of restraint and seclusion in schools or summaries of all complaints of abusive use of restraint or seclusion in schools or non-compliance with Florida law governing use of restraint and seclusion in schools filed between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021

2. Close-out letters or findings of investigations sent to complainants of abusive use of restraint or seclusion in schools or non-compliance with Florida law governing use of restraint and seclusion in schools between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021.

Responding to your request will require extensive use of information technology resources and extensive clerical and supervisory assistance by the Department's personnel. Therefore, a special service charge will be assessed pursuant to section 119.07(4)(d), Florida Statutes. Attached is an invoice for the Department's services to provide the requested documents.

Please note that the invoice cost provided is an estimate; if the actual cost is less, the difference will be refunded to you; if the actual cost is more, an additional invoice will be sent. Please review the above invoice and advise how you would like us to proceed.

If the above information is not what you are looking for, please contact us to discuss the search criteria. If you would like to obtain these records, please submit payment to Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 614, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and we will begin processing your request.

Sincerely,

Cassie Palelis
Press Secretary
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
O: 850-245-9648
PL: 850-245-0413