-
Child Find services are designed to provide children between the ages of three and five years of age with disabilities with services to enhance their developmental functioning. Services are provided in the least restrictive environment. This can include home and community settings as well as in school-based settings.
Screening, Evaluation and Determination of Eligibility for Services
Preschool children may access services in one of two ways. The first process is designed for children who have been served through the Infants and Toddlers Program (ITP). A Child Find team housed at ITP works with the ITP staff to determine if children who have received early intervention services are eligible for special education services. If they determine that they are eligible, then this team designs an Individual Education Program (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan – Extended (IFSP – Extended) in concert with the ITP staff that has worked with the child and the child receives appropriate special education services by his third birthday.The second process is for children whose delays or disorders are suspected after the age of 2 years 10 months - 5th birthday. Parents may call the Child Find main offices to set up a screening appointment. A special education teacher or speech pathologist affiliated with Child Find will conduct a screening of the child’s development. If the child passes the screening, then the Child Find diagnostician will talk with the parent about developmental expectations and recommend other services and resources to address the parent’s concerns. If the child demonstrates a delay in a domain of development [cognition, expressive and receptive language, fine motor, adaptive, gross motor, social-emotional], then a formal evaluation is conducted at Child Find office. Depending on the results of the evaluation, a disability may be determined and the child may be eligible for special education and related services. If that occurs, then an Individual Education Program is developed with the parent.
If you want more information or would like to make a referral, please call 410-424-3260.
