Child Find

Child Find is a system that districts are responsible for that involves:

1. Locating;

2. Identifying; and

3. Evaluating students to determine if students have disabilities and if they require special education.

Child Find applies to the Network Schools as they are public schools. The Network Schools have a Child Find responsibility encompassing all students enrolled at the school.

When a new student enrolls at a Network School, the Registrar and Special Education Director review the cumulative file and any information provided by the parent to determine if there are existing special education records. If 504 or health plan records are found, those are routed to the appropriate counselor or school nurse for their review.

Parents or school staff may also make requests that trigger Child Find.  Below you will find examples of things teachers or parents may say which would trigger Child Find.  

Idaho SESTA Tiered Supports Quick Guide

Once Child Find has been triggered, the team must gather information regarding the concern and child to decide if a special education evaluation is warranted.  A case manager will be assigned to the student. The case manager and school psychologist, if applicable, will work together to prepare a draft Referral to Consider a Special Education Evaluation and Request for Input (in EDPlan on the Referral>Eligibility page) and arrange a meeting, if requested by the parent or school team.

The team must investigate and make a decision within 10 days of Child Find being triggered. 

• If the team determines that proceeding with an initial evaluation is appropriate, parent Consent for Assessment will be sought.

  • IMPORTANT: If this is a school referral and the parent expresses that they do not wish for their child to be assessed, the case manager still must create Consent for Assessment documenting the reasons the school team is proposing an evaluation and the types of assessments that would be included. The parent will be asked to sign to either grant or deny consent. If the parent denies consent, Written Notice documenting the denial of consent and, therefore, the district's refusal to proceed due to denial of consent, will be provided to the parent within 3 days of their denying consent. The purpose of following this process is to meet the Child Find responsibility and document the district's attempt to gain consent for assessment.

• If the team determines that an evaluation is not warranted, Written Notice documenting the district's refusal to evaluate must be completed and provided to the parent within 3 days of the referral meeting.

Some Child Find issues may lead a team to consider a 504 eligibility and evaluation.  Please work with your School Counselor in these situations.  Other situations may warrant a referral to the school’s Response to Intervention team (RTI). No matter the team’s decision, a Written Notice must be made documenting that decision.