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Child Find and Early Childhood Transition

 

Child Find is a federal mandate under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  It requires local education agencies (LEAs), which include public school districts and charter schools, to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within their jurisdictions who need special education and related services.  (34 CFR §300.111—Child Find)

Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities.

A student identified through child find is not automatically guaranteed services under IDEA.  First, a full and individual initial evaluation (FIIE) of the child must be conducted.


Who is covered under Child Find?

All children birth through age 21 residing in the state, including children who are:    

  • Enrolled in public schools, including virtual schools, and advancing from grade to grade
  • Attending private or home schools  
  • Homeless or highly mobile  
  • Wards of the state or in foster care  
  • Military connected  
  • Involved in the criminal justice system  
  • Residing in nursing homes 

Is your child age 3 – 21?

If you suspect your child age 3-21 has a disability condition, contact the special education director's office in your local school district.

Is your child birth – age 3?

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) offers family-centered, community-based services and supports to families and children birth to three years. If you suspect your child birth - three years old has a disability condition contact the local  ECI office at 409-784-5435 or visit their website. https://www.spindletopcenter.org/early-childhood-intervention

 

 

Child Find Postcard - Five children with Disabilities

 

Special Services are available to eligible infants, children, and young adults identified with a disability who may be experiencing difficulties in one of the following areas:

 

 

 

  • Auditory Impairment
  • Autism
  • Deaf/Blindness
  • Emotional Disturbance
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Other health Impairment
  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Specific Learning Disability
  • Speech/Language Impairment
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Visual Impairment

TEA Guidance Documents for Parents

  • Cover of Notice of Procedural Safeguards English version. Four children with backpacks running up stairs.

  • Cover of ARD Protection - 4 students with backpacks running upstairs

  • Cover of Parentundefineds Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process - a man helping a girl and a woman helping a boy on a laptop

  • Cover of Spanish version of Parentundefineds Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process - a man helping a teen girl and a woman helping a teen boy on a laptop

Special Education Quick Links

Team Members

Kim Sleeper

Program Coordinator

ksleeper@esc5.net

409-951-1727

Hannah Jobe

Program Coordinator

hjobe@esc5.net

409-951-1737