One of the most valuable — and sometimes underused — parts of the FES-UA scholarship is its coverage of specialized services. If your child would benefit from speech therapy or occupational therapy, FES-UA may be able to help cover those costs through EMA. But there are specific conditions that apply, and understanding them upfront will save you time and frustration.
This post covers what FES-UA covers for speech therapy and OT, how the process works, and what to watch out for.
Important First: These Services Are Available to All Families
Before we get into FES-UA specifics, one thing worth stating clearly: speech therapy and occupational therapy at Speech and Language Connection Services are available to all families — not just those with FES-UA.
We accept medical insurance, including Medicaid, CMS, and Sunshine Health. The scholarship information in this post is for families who want to use FES-UA funds — it doesn’t limit who can come through our doors.
What Are “Specialized Services” Under FES-UA?
Step Up’s FES-UA purchasing guide distinguishes between general expenses and what it calls “specialized services.” Medical services are generally not eligible under FES-UA — but there are explicit exceptions for certain professional services.
Licensed speech therapy and licensed occupational therapy are among the specialized services explicitly included as eligible categories under FES-UA. This is significant because it means families can use scholarship funds to pay for these services without them being classified as medical expenses (which would be ineligible).
The key word is “licensed.” The providers must be appropriately credentialed.
Credential Requirements for Providers
For speech therapy: Florida requires speech-language pathologists to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health. The relevant board is the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Our speech therapists hold Florida licensure, and credentials are available upon request.
For occupational therapy: Florida similarly requires occupational therapists to hold a license issued through the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy. Licensees renew biennially to maintain the right to practice. Our OT staff maintains current Florida licensure.
When you’re evaluating any provider for FES-UA-funded speech therapy or OT, ask directly whether their therapists are licensed in Florida and whether they’re currently approved in EMA for those service categories. Both conditions need to be true.
How to Use FES-UA for Speech Therapy or OT
The process follows the standard EMA workflow, with a few therapy-specific considerations:
Step 1: Verify the provider is approved in EMA. Search EMA’s marketplace for the service category (speech therapy or occupational therapy) and confirm the provider appears there. A provider may offer great services but not be in EMA — in which case you cannot use FES-UA funds to pay them directly.
Step 2: Schedule an intake or evaluation. Before ongoing therapy begins, most providers will want to conduct an intake or evaluation to understand your child’s needs and establish a starting point for goals. This intake is often the first billable service.
Step 3: Services are delivered, then payment is processed. Per Step Up’s general framework, direct payments to providers through EMA typically happen after services are rendered, not in advance. Plan your scheduling and budget around this timing.
Step 4: Keep documentation. Your scholarship file should reflect what services were purchased and when. Good documentation protects you if questions arise later.
What Isn’t Covered Under This Category
A few boundaries worth knowing:
- Evaluations from outside Florida-licensed professionals would not qualify under the same credentialing framework
- Anything you’ve already paid through health insurance cannot be submitted again for FES-UA reimbursement — this is a hard rule in Step Up’s materials
- Services from providers who are not in EMA generally cannot be paid directly through FES-UA, even if those providers are excellent
Step Up explicitly warns in its materials that program rules can change and that families should verify the current purchasing guide. We echo that: the information in this post reflects what we understand from current guidance, but always confirm with Step Up directly before making financial commitments.
What Does Speech Therapy Actually Address?
For parents who are newer to speech therapy, here’s the core scope: speech-language pathologists (SLPs) support communication across three main areas.
Articulation and speech sounds — how clearly your child produces individual sounds and words. If your child is difficult to understand or substitutes certain sounds consistently, this is the articulation domain.
Language — both understanding language (receptive) and using it (expressive). Vocabulary, grammar, following multi-step directions, and forming sentences all fall here.
Social communication (pragmatics) — how language is used in social contexts. Taking turns in conversation, reading social cues, adjusting communication style for different situations.
Speech therapy is not a single intervention. It’s a personalized program built around goals specific to your child’s profile.
What Does Occupational Therapy Actually Address?
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities — what the profession calls “occupations.” For children, this typically includes school tasks, self-care, and play.
The three areas listed on our flyer give a useful overview:
Fine motor and hand skills — writing, cutting with scissors, using utensils, manipulating small objects. These are foundational for school participation and many daily tasks.
Sensory processing supports — some children have difficulty regulating their responses to sensory input (touch, sound, movement, visual stimulation). OT can provide supports that help children participate more fully in their environment.
Daily living skills — dressing, grooming, mealtime routines. OT approaches these practically, building independence over time.
Can My Child Get Both Speech and OT?
Yes. Many children benefit from both services, and there’s no rule against having both within the same scholarship period — provided the services are individually eligible and processed correctly through EMA.
If your child has needs in both areas, we recommend starting with an intake for each service separately so that therapists can build an accurate picture of what support makes sense.
Getting Started
Whether you’re coming to us through FES-UA or a medical insurance, the starting point is the same: an intake conversation to understand what your child needs and what we can offer.
We serve families at our Hialeah Gardens location and do not offer telehealth — all services are provided in person.
Learn more about our services: