Child Find

ANNUAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

According to state and federal special education regulations, an annual public notice to parents of children who reside within a school district is required regarding Child Find responsibilities. The district is responsible for conducting Child Find activities for children who may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (34CFR §300.111) and under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (34 CFR §104.35(a)).

This notice shall inform parents throughout the school district of the child identification activities and of the procedures followed to ensure the confidentiality of information pertaining to students with disabilities or eligible young children. Children ages three through twenty-one who are eligible to attend or attend public or private schools; those who are homeschooled; those who are homeless or are wards of the state can be eligible for special education services. If parents believe that their child may be eligible for special education, the parent should contact their district of residence.

Screening

A screening process for children who reside in Charleston County ages 3 years through 5 years, which may lead to a more comprehensive assessment, is provided at no charge to parents through the Child Find Office at 721 Wappoo Road. Parents may obtain additional information about the screening process by emailing childfind@charleston.k12.sc.us or by calling 843-958-2700.

Children residing in Charleston County who are transitioning from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Infant and Toddler program (Part C, birth to 3) are not required to participate in the Child Find screening process.  For children receiving IDEA Early Intervention services who may need an initial evaluation to determine eligibility for IDEA special education services (Part B, 3-21), the Early Interventionist makes the referral to the school district and invites a school district representative to a transition meeting. The Transition meeting is held at least 90 calendar days prior to the child’s third birthday.

For homeschooled and private school children (K-12) who are educated in Charleston County, parents may obtain additional information about the screening process by emailing childfind@charleston.k12.sc.us or by calling 843-958-2700.  If eligible under IDEA, the district will develop an Individualized Service Plan based on the evaluation and the services determined through the consultation process.  If a parent is considering enrolling in public school, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed as an offer of Free Appropriate Public Education if the child resides in Charleston County.  Parentally-placed private school children do not have an individual right to receive the special education and related services that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school (34 C.F.R. § 300.137(a)).  An IEP outlines a student's specialized instruction, accommodations, and modifications required to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education.  For students enrolled in private schools by their parents, an Individualized Service Plan is written to outline the services the district will provide with a proportionate share of IDEA funds.  

For children who reside in Charleston County and are attending a private school outside Charleston County, parents should contact the Child Find office of the district where the private school is located unless the family is considering enrollment in public school.  The district of residence should conduct screenings, and, as appropriate, evaluate and develop an Individualized Education Program as an offer of Free and Appropriate Public Education. 

For children who are currently enrolled in the Charleston County School District, parents may share educational concerns with the student's teacher, guidance counselor, school psychologist or other school staff member.  Charleston County School District utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to implement interventions and problem-solve educational concerns.  

For children who were receiving services under IDEA at their previous school and are transferring into the Charleston County School District, screening is not necessary.  Please include the information requested in the registration form regarding the child's IEP and notify the office staff of your child's need for services.  If information about the special education services within our schools is needed, please call 843-937-6500.  

Parental Rights in the Child Find Process

The Child Find process is collaborative.  Charleston County School District staff work in conjunction with parents to locate, evaluate, and identify children who may need special education and related services.  If screening results and other educational information provide the basis to suspect a disability, an evaluation planning meeting is scheduled to review available information and determine the additional information needed to consider eligibility, identify the child's strengths and weaknesses, and develop educational recommendations.   Parents and guardians will be provided Procedural Safeguards/Notice of Rights at the time of this collaborative meeting.  Following the referral/evaluation planning meeting, parents and guardians will be issued a Prior Written Notice/Notice of Rights explaining the decision of the team and the district. If the child is referred for an evaluation, informed parental consent must be obtained prior to beginning the evaluation. Once written parental consent is obtained, the district will proceed with the evaluation process. The initial evaluation must be conducted within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent for the evaluation.

Eligibility Determination
Once the evaluation process is completed, the collaborative team, including the parent and school staff, reconvenes to review the evaluation and consider eligibility.  The team must consider multiple sources of data when determining eligibility.  Following the Eligibility Determination meeting, the parents will receive a Prior Written Notice or Conference Summary explaining the decisions of the team and the district.

Program Development

If the child is eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan (ISP) team meets, develops the program or plan, and requests parental consent. Once the IEP/ISP team develops the program/plan, school district staff will provide a Prior Written Notice or Conference Summary. Parental consent is required before the program or plan can be implemented.  The parent has the right to revoke consent after initial placement.

Confidentiality of Information

The school district maintains confidential records concerning children enrolled in the school, including students with disabilities. Your consent, or consent of an eligible child who has reached the age of majority under State law, must be obtained before personally identifiable information is released, except as permitted under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The age of majority in South Carolina is 18. Each participating agency must protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction states. One official at each participating agency must assume responsibility for ensuring the confidentiality of any personally identifiable information. Each participating agency must maintain, for public inspection, a current listing of the names and positions of those employees within the agency who have access to personally identifiable information.

For additional information related to student records, the parent can refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This notice is only a summary of the Child Find activities and protections pertaining to children with disabilities, children thought to be disabled, and their parents. For more information please email childfind@charleston.k12.sc.us or call 843-958-2700 or consult with the staff at your child's public school.