What is Child Find? 

Child Find is a legal requirement that schools find all children who have disabilities and who may be entitled to special education services. *(IDEA Child Find requirements, Educational Law 4402(1)(a)). 

About Child Find 

Child Find is part of Elmira Heights Central School District’s Special Education system for identifying children suspected of having a delay in development. If a young child is not meeting typical developmental milestones, or someone is concerned about the child’s growth or learning, child find efforts will help to secure appropriate evaluations and/or service for the child if appropriate. If deemed necessary, the purpose of evaluations is to determine if there is a significant delay or if there is a need for early intervention or special education services. 

Referrals 

Children who are not yet in Kindergarten may be referred at any time when a family member, doctor or childcare provider has a concern about their development. 

• For children from birth to three years of age, EHCSD Child Find works in partnership with local Early Intervention programs who provide service coordination and eligibility determination.               

• Children three to five years old are evaluated as a part of the preschool special education process. 

Who do I contact? 

• For children under the age of 3, contact Chemung County Early Intervention Coordinator of Special Children Services at (607) 737-5565 

• For school age child find, contact the Elmira Heights Central School District Director of Student Services at  (607) 733-8039  

 Resources

Child Find: What is it and how it works- https://www.understood.org/articles/en/child-find-what-it-is-and-how-it-works 

Census Form- As part of Child Find, EHCSD will distribute census forms to all district residents annually but you can also print and return this form to the District Office at any time OR complete the digital form by clicking HERE: https://forms.gle/mU67APb9SCGYVCSbA