What is Child Find?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides for the identification and evaluation of students ages 3-21 who are suspected of having a disability. The Child Find program primarily evaluates students ages 2 ½ to 5 years old.

Children may be referred by parents, medical personnel, social workers, school employees or others with whom they have direct contact. Children are initially screened and then referred for a multidisciplinary evaluation, if appropriate. The process starts when a referral for screening is made by calling the number listed next to the appropriate school district listed above.

School districts are responsible for evaluating any student that lives in their district and is suspected of having a disability, whether or not they are attending a school program within their district.