Polk County Public Schools offers a variety of support services to students and their families.

The following departments and outreach programs are available through PCPS:

ESE - Exceptional Student Education

PCPS Exceptional Student Education programs serve more than 18,000 students from preschool through 22 years of age. They include students with various disabilities as well as gifted learners.

Staff members work with students’ families and teachers to identify available services and programs to help these students succeed in school and in their lives beyond the classroom. Some examples of support services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, assistive technology and audiological evaluations.

Learn More about ESE services

Farmworkers Program

The purpose of the Farmworker Career Development Program (FCDP) is to assist migrant and seasonal farm workers that want to leave agriculture, or stabilize farmworkers who choose to stay in farmwork. The goal is to improve the lifestyle for migrant and seasonal farmworkers requesting assistance.

The program assesses the needs of each individual and can provide various assistance such as: funding for technical training, job-related workshops, evaluation and testing, ESOL, Spanish and English GED assistance, job placement, counseling, and referrals. Currently, the program serves eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers age 14 through adult.

Learn More about the Farmworkers Program and Eligibility Requirements

Hazel Health

Hazel Health, a telehealth program, offers immediate access to student mental & physical health services.

With Hazel, students can immediately speak with a licensed medical professional or mental health clinician right from home or in school. This service is now available for all families from home and in schools.

When a student is in school, the school nurse or designated staff uses an iPad to help them talk directly with a medical professional over live video.

During Hazel’s virtual visits, students can receive treatment for common ailments such as stomach aches and headaches, as well as mental health counseling for anxiety, depression and other issues.

Hazel services are provided at no charge for all students at this time.

Learn More about Hazel Health Services

HEARTH Project - Homeless Education Advocates Restoring the Hope

The HEATH Project is dedicated to assisting homeless and in-transition families and children by eliminating barriers to school enrollment, attendance, stability, and overall success. We work to ensure that children experiencing homelessness have the same opportunities for education success as housed students in Polk County.

Learn More about the Hearth Project

Migrant Services

Migrant Services supports migrant students at all stages, from helping them initially access the program to providing the support they need to achieve academic success.

The goals of the program are to:

  • Identify and recruit eligible migrant students
  • Support and partner with relevant educational programs/organizations to close the achievement gap between migrant and non-migrant students in core subjects and graduation rate
  • Facilitate parental involvement activities that promote education in the home and English language development, and focus on decreasing educational interruptions
  • Provide instructional services to migrant students on an as-needed basis
  • Provide access to quality health, social and support services

Learn More about Migrant Services and Eligibility Requirements

T.A.S.S.E.L. - Teamwork Achieves Students Success & Encourages Learning

The T.A.S.S.E.L. project began in 2016 to help students overcome barriers keeping them from attending school, including the lack of school supplies, clothing, food and hygiene products.

T.A.S.S.E.L. Facebook Page

Varsity Tutors

PCPS and Varsity Tutors have launched an online tutoring partnership that brings live instruction and lessons to students across the district.

The first-of-its-kind program enables district educators to schedule online, face-to-face personalized tutoring for any student. The services will be utilized by both teachers in the classroom and families at home.

In addition to the live online tutoring, students will have access to on-demand homework help, support studying for tests, and assistance reviewing draft essays and papers. Services are available in both English and Spanish, across all grades and academic levels, including AP and IB courses. Additional resources for special needs students will be available from certified tutors.

Learn More about Tutoring Services