Child Find

 is a legal requirement that schools find all children who have disabilities
and who may be entitled to special education services
 is part of federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – 2004, or IDEA

 States very clearly that students enrolled in private schools and
identified with disabilities through Child Find may receive publicly
funded special education services.
 It also states that students enrolled in private institutions by their
parents do not have the same legal rights to special education services
and may not receive as many services as the students enrolled in public
school. Public school offerings differ from state to state and county to
county, but IDEA does not.

Who is covered by Child Find?

 Children with disabilities from birth through age 21 are covered. This
includes children who are being home-schooled or who are in private
school.
 Child Find requires school districts to have a process for identifying and
evaluating children who may need special education and related services.
Such as counselling or speech therapy.

Does Child Find mean the school to agree to every request for
an evaluation?
If the school knows or has a reason to support your child has a disability
then by law (IDEA) it must agree to do an evaluation.
The school doesn’t have to agree to every request for evaluation, though.
If there’s no reason to think your child has a disability that requires services,
the school doesn’t have to evaluate.

What if the school won’t evaluate your child?

The Child Find mandate gives parents some power. If the school turns
down a request for an evaluation, parents can seek a due process hearing. This
hearing gives parents and the school a chance to tell their side of the story to a
trained, independent hearing officer.
In some cases, when the school fails to evaluate, the parents may have a
claim for monetary damages.
 The child find mandate gives schools an important legal responsibility.
Understanding their responsibility can help you ensure that your child gets the
service he needs.

Why is Child Find Necessary?

 To ensure that all children with disabilities receive a free appropriate

public education, including special education and related services that
are "designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further
education, employment and independent living …"

 To help each State implement a state wide, comprehensive, coordinated

multi-disciplinary system of Early Intervention Services for infants and
toddlers with disabilities. Young children with disabilities must receive
appropriate early intervention services to "prepare them for further
education, employment, and independent living."

 To provide Early Intervention Services so children with developmental

delays and other disabilities will receive treatment early. Congress
enacted the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers to
provide interagency coordination of services to children from birth to two
years of age. Under IDEA, states must ensure that children with
disabilities are eligible for special education services by age three.