Child Find

Child find is a component of the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, from birth to 21, located within its jurisdiction who are in need of early intervention or special education services. Child find is an ongoing cooperative effort that involves state and local education agencies (LEAs), parents, the community, professionals, related organizations, and private schools. IDEA requires all states to have a “comprehensive child find system” to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified, and referred. In Arkansas, the lead agency for Part C of IDEA Early Intervention Program (children birth to 3 years) is the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The lead agency for Part B/619 (children ages 3-21 years), is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Requirements & General Info

IDEA Child Find Overview

Child find applies to children who are:

  • Attending private school
  • Highly mobile, including migrant children
  • Suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade
  • Homeless or a ward of the state

 

Parent ResourcesLEA Resources

Arkansas Child Development & Early Learning Standards

Arkansas Child Find Q&A

Developmental Milestones (CDC)

Family Guide to Special Education

First Connections - Early Childhood Services

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Local Early Childhood Special Education Coordinators

Local School Age Special Education Supervisors (K-12)

My School Info

Parent and Family Resources

Understood.ORG

Arkansas Academic Standards

Arkansas Child Development & Early Learning Standards

Arkansas Child Find Regulations

Arkansas Special Education Process Guide

Arkansas Special Education Technical Assistance

Child Find Media Release Sample

Arkansas Child Find Q&A

RTI Arkansas

OSEP Child Find Q&A (August 2021)


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