Step Up for Students PEP Psychological Evaluations

Use PEP Scholarship Funds for Approved Evaluation Services

Bright Future Psychology is an approved Step Up for Students provider in Naples, Florida. Our comprehensive and diagnostic psychological evaluation services are currently approved in the Education Market Assistant (EMA) portal for eligible Personalized Education Program (PEP) students.

Families may use available PEP scholarship funds to reserve an approved evaluation through Bright Future Psychology’s EMA service catalog. Funding depends on the student’s available balance and current Step Up for Students requirements.

Comprehensive Psychological and Psychoeducational Evaluations

Our comprehensive evaluations provide an in-depth understanding of a student’s unique strengths, needs, learning profile, and functioning across settings.

Depending on the referral questions, a comprehensive evaluation may assess:

Cognitive abilities and processing differences
Academic achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics
Dyslexia and other specific learning disorders
Attention and executive functioning
Autism spectrum disorder
Intellectual or developmental disabilities
Giftedness and twice-exceptional profiles
Social-emotional and behavioral functioning
Adaptive and independent functioning

Evaluations may include interviews, record review, standardized testing, rating scales, clinical observations, a feedback session, and a detailed written report. Families receive personalized recommendations to guide educational planning, accommodations, interventions, and support at home and school.

Diagnostic Psychological Evaluations

Diagnostic evaluations provide a focused assessment of a particular concern or referral question.

Depending on the student’s needs, diagnostic evaluations may address:

ADHD
Autism spectrum disorder
Dyslexia and specific learning disorders
Anxiety or mood concerns
Intellectual or developmental disabilities
Cognitive and executive functioning differences
Other neurodevelopmental, educational, emotional, or behavioral concerns

The scope of a diagnostic evaluation is more targeted than a comprehensive evaluation. It may include clinical interviews, record review, selected standardized measures, rating scales, diagnostic clarification, a feedback session, and a written report with recommendations.

What Families Receive

The specific components are tailored to the evaluation and referral questions. Services may include:

Review of developmental, educational, and clinical history
Review of school records and previous evaluations
Individualized standardized testing
Parent, teacher, or self-report rating scales
Interpretation and integration of findings
Diagnostic clarification when appropriate
A detailed written report
A feedback session
Personalized educational and support recommendations

Reports may help inform educational planning, interventions, IEP or 504 Plan discussions, and requests for school or testing accommodations. Schools, agencies, and testing organizations make their own eligibility and accommodation decisions.

How to Use PEP Funds at Bright Future Psychology

1. Contact Our Office

Request a free phone consultation before reserving funds. We will discuss your concerns and help determine whether a comprehensive or diagnostic evaluation is most appropriate.

2. Locate Bright Future Psychology in EMA

3. Select the Approved Evaluation

Choose the comprehensive evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, or other approved assessment service discussed during your consultation.

4. Reserve Available Funds

Add the service to your cart and follow EMA’s instructions to reserve funds. Your student must have sufficient available funds.

5. Schedule the Evaluation

Once the appropriate service and payment arrangements have been confirmed, our office will coordinate the evaluation appointments with you.

The services displayed in EMA and the steps required to reserve funds may change. Families should follow the current instructions in their EMA account.

Additional PEP Services

Bright Future Psychology also offer other approved educational services through EMA, including educational assessment and executive functioning tutoring.

Executive functioning support can address:

Organization and planning
Time management
Task initiation and completion
Attention and working-memory strategies
Study skills and academic routines
Goal-setting, self-monitoring, and follow-through
Self-advocacy and growing independence

PEP and FES-UA Are Different Programs

PEP and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) have different eligibility, participation, and purchasing requirements.

PEP supports parent-directed education for eligible Florida K–12 students and does not require a disability diagnosis. FES-UA is intended for students with a qualifying unique ability documented through an eligible IEP or qualifying diagnosis.

Families should verify their student’s scholarship type in EMA before selecting a service.

Free Phone Consultation

We can discuss your concerns, the type of evaluation that may be appropriate, and the steps for locating our approved services in EMA.

Request a Phone Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bright Future Psychology accept PEP scholarship funds?

Yes. Bright Future Psychology is an approved Step Up for Students provider, and our comprehensive and diagnostic evaluation services are currently approved in EMA for eligible PEP students.

Can PEP funds pay for a comprehensive evaluation?

Yes. Comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations are currently approved in Bright Future Psychology’s EMA service catalog for eligible PEP students. Funding depends on the student’s available balance and current program requirements.

Can PEP funds pay for a diagnostic evaluation?

Yes. Diagnostic evaluations are currently approved in our EMA service catalog for eligible PEP students. The evaluation is tailored to the student’s referral questions and needs.

What is the difference between a comprehensive and diagnostic evaluation?

A comprehensive evaluation examines multiple areas of functioning to develop an in-depth understanding of the student’s overall profile. A diagnostic evaluation is more focused on a particular concern or referral question.

Can the evaluation assess autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities?

Yes. Depending on the selected service and referral questions, our evaluations may assess autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disorders, cognitive and executive functioning differences, developmental concerns, and related emotional or behavioral needs.

Do PEP funds guarantee that the full evaluation fee will be covered?

No. The amount available depends on the student’s scholarship balance. Families are responsible for confirming available funds and any remaining balance before scheduling.

Should I reserve funds before contacting the practice?

Please contact us first. We will discuss your concerns and identify the appropriate EMA service before you reserve funds.

Are evaluations available virtually?

Some components may be completed virtually when appropriate. The format depends on the referral questions, assessment measures, age, and individual needs. In-person evaluations are available at our Naples office.

Important Scholarship Information

Bright Future Psychology is an independent approved provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Step Up for Students or the Florida Department of Education. Scholarship rules, approved services, and EMA procedures may change.Families should review their EMA account, the current PEP Family Handbook, and the current PEP Purchasing Guide for official program information.