We are a listed provider in the Step Up For Students EMA Marketplace. Families with FES-UA scholarships can book therapy sessions, enroll in our home education program, and add elective classes — all from their EMA account.
An education savings account that lets families direct funds toward therapies, home education, private school, and more for students with qualifying diagnoses.
Apply for the scholarship
Submit your application at stepupforstudents.org. You'll need to show proof of your child's age, diagnosis, and Florida residency.
Receive funds in EMA
Once approved, funds are deposited quarterly into your student's ESA on their EMA account.
Find providers in the Marketplace
Log in to EMA, click Marketplace → Find Providers, search for Speech and Language Connection Services, and reserve funds for the services you need.
Start services
Call us to schedule your first visit. Payments to providers are made directly from your student's ESA account.
Average scholarship award
~$10,000
Students with matrix 254–255 may qualify for $22,000–$34,000. Amounts are approximate, vary by county and level of need, and are determined annually by the program. Eligibility is subject to verification by Step Up For Students.
Eligible ages
Age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first
Qualifying diagnoses (selection)
Eligibility is determined by the scholarship program, not by our clinic. Always verify current eligibility in the Step Up handbook for your scholarship year.
Structured learning blocks, small-group instruction, and individualized supports for home education families in Miami-Dade — Pre-K through 12th grade, all abilities welcome.
Important clarification for families
A home education instructional program (for scholarship purposes) is not the same as Florida's legal home education program under s. 1002.41. We provide courses, small-group instruction, and learning support that parents can include in their child's sequential home education plan.
Families using a district-registered home education program remain responsible for the statutory requirements: written notice of intent within 30 days, a learning portfolio, and the annual educational evaluation.
Customized curriculum guidance
Help selecting FES-UA approved materials aligned to your child's goals, interests, and learning profile.
Small-group instruction
Structured learning blocks at our physical location, paired with individualized supports during each session.
Executive functioning routines
Daily routines that build focus, planning, and independent work habits across all grade levels.
Reading, writing and math foundations
Explicit instruction in core academic skills, scaffolded for each learner's current level.
Project-based enrichment
Hands-on projects that integrate science, social studies, and creative expression.
Progress updates for families
Regular communication about what we tracked and observed, so parents stay in the driver's seat.
Licensed speech-language pathology for children across articulation, language development, social communication, fluency, and augmentative communication. Evidence-based and family-centered.
Speech & Sound Production
Language & Processing
Fluency (Stuttering)
Neurodevelopmental & Executive Functioning
Cognitive & Social Skills
Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children develop the skills they need to thrive in their everyday environments — building confidence, independence, and developmental milestones at their own pace.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Helping children become more independent with everyday tasks like dressing, grooming, hygiene, and feeding. We break skills into manageable steps so every child feels successful.
Sensory Processing & Self-Regulation
Supporting children in understanding and responding to sensory input — touch, sound, movement, and sight — so they can better manage emotions, transitions, and overwhelming situations.
Fine Motor Skills
Developing the small muscles in the hands for strength, dexterity, and control — including handwriting, buttoning clothes, using scissors, and other school-readiness skills.
Gross Motor Skills
Building strength, balance, coordination, and motor planning for movements like running, jumping, climbing, and catching — supporting physical confidence and full participation in play.
Cognitive Skills & Executive Functioning
Strengthening attention, problem-solving, planning, organization, and memory — foundational skills for academic success and flexible thinking in daily life.
Play Skills & Social Skills
Encouraging meaningful play, turn-taking, sharing, and positive peer interactions so children develop friendships and engage more fully in group and imaginative play.
Elective music instruction that builds musicianship, listening skills, practice habits, and the joy of making music. Lessons — not therapy — for curious young learners.
Piano & keyboard
Foundational technique, reading music, and building a joyful daily practice routine.
Guitar lessons
Acoustic and electric options with a focus on chord mastery, rhythm, and favorite songs.
Percussion
Rhythm, timing, and coordination through drums and percussion instruments.
Flute & woodwinds
Breath control, tone production, and melodic playing for beginner and intermediate students.
Saxophone & more
Lessons across a range of instruments so students can discover what resonates with them.
Practice habits
Structured routines that build consistency, focus, and pride in progress over time.
Elective art instruction for curious young creators — drawing, painting, crafts, and mixed media. Lessons — not therapy — that build real skill and creative confidence.
Drawing foundations
Observation, line, shape, and proportion — the building blocks of visual expression.
Painting techniques
Watercolor, tempera, and acrylic — exploring color mixing, brushwork, and composition.
Crafts & mixed media
Hands-on projects that combine materials, textures, and techniques for creative exploration.
Sculpture basics
Working with clay and other tactile materials to build in three dimensions.
Color theory
How colors work together — warm and cool palettes, complementary pairs, and creating mood.
Creative confidence
A supportive environment where every student's creative voice is welcomed and celebrated.
Whether your family uses an FES-UA scholarship through EMA or your medical insurance, here's how we get started.
Book a Family Orientation
A free, no-pressure visit. You meet our team, see the space, and tell us about your child's goals. No commitment required.
Evaluation and care plan
For therapy services, following a formal evaluation, we develop a personalized Plan of Care with SMART goals for 6 months. For education and electives, we map a weekly schedule.
Enroll (Direct Billing or Reimbursement)
You can authorize funds for Direct Billing in the EMA Marketplace, or request a detailed invoice to submit a Reimbursement through Step Up.
Start services
Your child joins the program. We share progress updates and coordinate with you throughout the school year.
The questions families ask us most about Step Up, FES-UA, and our services.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is an education savings account (ESA) that lets families direct funds toward therapies, home education, private school, and more. Funds are deposited quarterly into your student's EMA account. The average award is about $10,000, with higher amounts ($22,000–$34,000) for students with a matrix score of 254 or 255.
Log in to your EMA account, click "Marketplace" on the left menu, select "Find Providers," and search for "Speech and Language Connection Services" or filter by therapy services in Miami-Dade. Once you find our profile, select the service, choose quantity, and click "Add to Cart." Reserve funds, then call us to schedule.
Yes. Step Up's purchasing guidance lists licensed speech-language therapy and licensed occupational therapy as specialized services eligible under FES-UA. Always verify current rules in the Step Up handbook for your scholarship year.
No. We are a home education instructional program (HEIP) that provides courses, small-group instruction, and learning support that parents include in their child's sequential home education plan. Step Up distinguishes HEIPs from private schools — we are specifically the former.
Yes, if you are using a district-registered home education program. Florida law (s. 1002.41) requires written notice of intent within 30 days, portfolio records, and an annual educational evaluation. These responsibilities remain with the family.
No. We offer music LESSONS as elective enrichment focused on musicianship, practice habits, and the joy of making music. Music therapy is a separate, credentialed clinical service (CBMT). If you're looking for music therapy specifically, we can point you toward certified providers.
No. We offer art LESSONS as elective enrichment focused on creativity, technique, and visual expression. Art therapy is a separate mental health profession. If you're looking for art therapy specifically, we can point you toward certified providers.
Yes. Many families combine speech therapy, occupational therapy, and home education with us. We coordinate schedules and goals so your child gets a consistent experience across services. Music and art lessons can be added as electives.
Not for the same session. By state regulation, you cannot bill insurance and use FES-UA funds for the exact same service on the same day ("double dipping"). However, you can alternate (e.g. pay for Speech with insurance, and use FES-UA for OT or elective classes).
Both! You can use Direct Billing by authorizing funds directly in the EMA Marketplace. You can also request a detailed invoice to submit a Reimbursement through Step Up. For therapy services, we also accept medical insurance including Medicaid, CMS, and Sunshine Health.
A no-pressure visit where you can tour our center, meet our therapists, and ask all your questions. No evaluation, no commitment.
