Child Find

Access to Child Find is part of your child's Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Your child must have an educational need for services which cannot be provided without special services.

The ARD Committee must determine how the disability affects participation in age appropriate activities.

Description/Purpose: The purpose of Child Find is to locate, identify, and evaluate children from birth to 21 years of age and their possible need for special education and related services. Child Find is a free referral and information service available through local education agencies (Excel Academy) and Education Service Center Region 4. The district provides services for children ages 10-17.

If you are a parent of a 10-17 year old who is enrolled at a campus, please contact your child's principal to begin the referral process.

Referral Process: Referrals may be initiated by:

School personnel (including general education teachers, special education teachers, counselors, administrators, etc.)

Child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s)

Any other person involved in the education or care of the child

A physician or community agency may recommend that your child be referred for evaluation; however the parent must initiate the request with the district.

Eligibility: Your child must have a disability as defined through federal and state guidelines. As a result of this disability, your child must demonstrate an educational need for services. Disability categories include the following:

•Auditory Impairment

•Autism

•Deaf-Blind

•Emotional Disturbance

•Intellectual Disability

•Learning Disability

•Multiple Impairment

•Other Health Impairment

•Orthopedic Impairment

•Speech/Language Impairment

•Traumatic Brain Injury

•Visual Impairment

Parent’s Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process

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Transition

What is transition?

Transition is planning for a student’s life after graduation.

Transition addresses the life domains of:

Employment

Post-secondary education and learning options

Independent living skills

Recreation/ leisure activities

Transition involves the student through interviews, inventories and having the student attend ARDs once he/she is 14. A student’s IEP must address transition by age 14.

When does transition planning begin?

Transition planning must begin on or before a student’s 14th birthday as mandated by state and federal policy.

The district provides transition inventories, check lists and Visual Transition Plans to identify student’s strengths, preferences, interests and needs.

Why is transition important?

Once a student exits the school system, all services are based on eligibility instead of entitlement (as are school services). All services must be put in place by family, student and school staff, to avoid a student having no work or opportunities to learn, work or community

Families and schools should be sure to have the support in place after graduates in place or before exiting the school system to provide for a seamless flow of services.

What to consider in transition planning?

Students receiving special education services may stay in school until they are 21 if so desired.

Under what plan will the student graduate?

Distinguished (26 credits)

Graduate with Endorsements (26 credits)

Foundation Program (22 credits)

IEP Completion - age out

Will the student attend college, a trade school, or community?

Will the student work and what resources will be needed to support successful employment?

What will the student do for recreation and social interaction?

What financial and personal supports will be needed?

What transportation services will the student need?

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