Access to Child Find is part of your child's Free and Appropriate Public Education. Your child must have an educational need for services that cannot be provided in general education. The ARD Committee must determine how the disability affects participation in age-appropriate activities.
Description/Purpose: The purpose of Child Find is to locate, identify, and evaluate children from birth to 21 years of age and their possible need for special education and related services. Child Find is a free referral and information service available through local education agencies, JISD, and Education Service Center Region XIII.
Early Childhood: If you are a parent of a 3- to 5-year-old who is not enrolled at a JISD campus, please contact the Jarrell ISD Special Education Department at 512-746-4808.
School Age: If you are a parent of a five to 21-year-old who is enrolled at a JISD campus, please contact your child's teacher or campus Child Study Team chairperson to begin the referral process.
Private School/Proportionate Share: Each year, Jarrell ISD sets aside a proportion of federal funds for children placed in private schools by their parents and identified with special needs. If you are a parent of a child enrolled in a private school who resides in JISD boundaries or attends a private school within JISD boundaries, please contact your residential campus (JISD residents) or the campus closest to your child's private school. Please note that proportionate share funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Referral Process: Referrals may be initiated by parents, (ECI) Early Childhood Intervention agencies or campus staff.
Students receiving services through ECI will be transitioned to the public school system as early as 120 days before their third birthday.
A physician or community agency may recommend that your child be referred for evaluation, the parent must initiate the request with the district.
Eligibility: Your child must have a disability as defined through federal and state guidelines. As a result of this disability, your child must demonstrate an educational need for services.
DISABILITY CATEGORIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Autism
Deaf-Blind*
Deaf or Hard of Hearing*
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disability
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disability
Multiple Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Orthopedic Impairment
Speech/Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment*
*Services may begin at birth for children with visual and/or auditory impairments.
CHILD FIND CONTACT
Elinore Wells
512-746-4803 Ext. 1704