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Welcome!
Welcome!
We’re thrilled that you’re here. This site is designed to be your go-to resource for understanding the special education process and supporting you as a parent or guardian in advocating for your child’s educational needs. We know that the world of special education can sometimes feel complex, but our goal is to break it down in a way that is easy to understand and helps you feel confident every step of the way.
In New Jersey, every child has the right to a free and appropriate public education, regardless of their abilities. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or need ongoing support, we’re here to guide you. This resource site provides important information to help parents and educators understand the steps involved in identifying students who may need special education services, including how to request evaluations, the IEP process, and the various services that may be available.
You’ll find straightforward explanations about essential topics like the Individualized Education Program (IEP), the process for determining eligibility for services, and the types of support your child can receive at school.
Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to work alongside Norwood’s Administration, the Child Study Team, and educators to ensure your child receives the best education possible.
Child Find
Child Find
Child Find and Special Education Services
Schools have a responsibility to identify and locate children with disabilities who live within their district. This includes evaluating these children to determine if they need special education services. The district is required to have clear policies and procedures in place to ensure that all children with disabilities are identified, located, and evaluated, including children attending private schools. This ongoing effort aims to locate every child, ages 3 to 14, who may have a disability and lives in the District of Norwood. The search covers both children who are already attending school and those who have not yet enrolled.
To help identify children in need of special education services, the district's Child Find activities include, but are not limited to:
Sending letters to doctors, especially pediatricians
Reaching out to local nursery schools
Connecting with community organizations
Publishing announcements in newspapers and on websites
Posting notices at the library
Distributing fliers to area stores for posting
Sharing information through community newsletters, such as those from the PTA, the Superintendent, and the school calendar
If your school-age child is struggling in school, the first step is to talk to their teacher. Our district provides a range of support services within general education. For parents of preschool children who are concerned about their child’s development (such as walking, talking, or playing), it may be helpful to speak with your family doctor. In most cases, children develop at different rates, and your doctor can reassure you if your child is within the normal developmental range. However, if you or your doctor have concerns about your child’s progress, you may want to consider making a referral to the Child Study Team.
For children ages birth to three, Early Intervention services are available. Early Intervention, under the Division of Family Health Services, provides support for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. You can reach Early Intervention at (888) 653-8453 or visit their website at the Their website is: Office of Child Development Formerly known as Special Child Health Services
If you know of a child who may need special education services, please encourage them to contact the Child Study Team office at 201-768-6363. For additional information about scheduled Child Find activities, please reach out to the Director or Supervisor of Special Services.
Child Find_fact_sheet.pdfPage updated
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