Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

 

Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilities and their families who are in need of an Early Intervention Program (Part C) or Early Childhood Special Education (Part B) services of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Sturgeon Bay School District’s 3-5 year old child developmental screening is a big part of this process. Please see other references in this section for more specific information or call 746-5855.

 

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. The lead agency for Part C - Early Intervention Program is the Department of Health and Family Services and for Part B - special education early childhood is the State Department of Public Instruction. These agencies are responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive child find system. Children receiving Early Intervention or Special Education services must meet eligibility guidelines according to the IDEA.