Child Find-A Continuous Search

Child Find

 A Continuous Search

Public schools must regularly conduct Child Find activities to identify, locate and evaluate children with delays or disabilities who need early intervention or special education and related services, including children who are:

•  birth through age 21
• advancing from grade to grade;
• highly mobile (including homeless and migrant children);
• attending private schools;
• home-schooled; and,
• wards of the State.

Referral

Schools districts (including charter schools) conduct public awareness activities to inform you about early intervention and special education services for children who may not be reaching developmental milestones or making academic progress. Schools also provide contact information so you can speak to someone about the concerns you have regarding your child. After you contact the school they will do one of the following:

• begin the informal screening process;
• refer you to the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for infants and toddlers; or,
• refer you to the school district you live in for preschool services if your first contact was with a charter school or a high school district.

Screening

The screening process for children ages 3 through 21 will be completed by the school district within 45 calendar days. If a concern is identified through the screening procedures or through a review of records, the school is required to notify you of the concern within 10 school days and inform you of their plans and procedures to follow-up on the student's needs.