Child Find is a requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that mandates States to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth to age 21 and who are in need of special education and related services. Each State must offer Early Intervention Services for infants and toddlers with disabilities AND the provisions of a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children ages 3 to 21 determined eligible for special education and related services.

 

The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) is responsible for locating, identifying and evaluating children from birth to age 3 who are in need of early intervention services. 

 

Child Find applies to children with behavioral, developmental, physical, cognitive, emotional,  learning disabilities, speech/language, and multiple disabilities, including children with vision, hearing,  and medical impairments. 

Each NC PSU must have in effect policies and procedures that ensure that:  

• All children with disabilities ages 3 to 21 residing in the PSU, including children who are homeless children and/or are wards of the State, regardless of the severity of their disability, and in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated; and

• All children with disabilities ages 3 to 21 parentally placed in a private school located in the PSU, and in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated. This does not prohibit the parent from requesting an evaluation from the PSU of residency.

 

Infants, toddlers, and young children who are not yet school-aged. • Enrolled in charter or traditional public schools • Enrolled in private and home schools • Advancing from grade to grade • Highly mobile, such as migrant and/or  homeless students • In foster care, unaccompanied youth or wards of the state • English learners • Living in nursing homes or correctional facilities

 

When a member of the school staff or a parent suspects that a child has a disability, they shall submit a written referral for evaluations to the principal of the school, the child’s teacher or other school professional, or the Superintendent or other appointed official. For preschool children, the referral may also be submitted to personnel responsible for preschool services for children with disabilities. If you know a child or youth who is suspected to have a disability and is not receiving any specialized services, you can encourage their family to submit a written referral to: • The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) for children ages birth to 3; or • Their public school unit (PSU) for children ages 3 to 21

 

The Child Find program requires a partnership among early intervention providers, public schools, the medical community and other agencies providing services to children. These agencies include health departments, social service agencies, area services for the blind and deaf, childcare programs, developmental day centers, Head Start programs and private schools. Major components of this effort include a public awareness program, a central directory of resources, and a comprehensive child find system.

 

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center 107 Barra Row, Suite 103 Davidson, NC 28306 [email protected] ........................1-800-962-6817 North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) (Ages birth to 3) ............................................ 919-707-5520

 

Office of Early Learning ...................... 984-236-2740

 

Public School Unit for children ages 3 to 21 or the NC Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children ......................... 984-236-2550