What is Project Child Find?
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.
Children and youth with:
• Physical Disabilities
• Emotional Disabilities
• Cognitive Disabilities
• Behavioral Disabilities
• Developmental Disabilities
• Learning Disabilities
• Speech/Language Disabilities
• Multiple Disabilities including children with vision, hearing, or medical impairments
Children and youth who are suspected with having a disability who are:
• Highly mobile and/or homeless
• Advancing from grade to grade
• Attending private and homeschools
• In foster care, unaccompanied youth, or ward of the state
Each NC PSU must have in effect policies and procedures that ensure:
• 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.
• 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.
How can I find more information?
Asheboro City Schools Office of Exceptional Children tel.336-625-5014 X244100
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) tel. 919-707-5520
Office of Early Learning tel. 984-236-2740
Public School Unit for children ages 3 to 21 or the NC Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children
tel. 984-236-2550
For further information regarding Project Child Find or if you suspect your student may have a disability and need special education and/or related services, please contact: