Child Find

1. Child Find Washoe County School District Presented by Shannon Ward

2. What is Child Find? • School districts receiving federal funding under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act are required by federal and state law to conduct Child Find activities. • These activities include the education of the community about special education resources and the assessment of children for services.

3. What does that look like? • The Washoe County School District has established an assessment center at 560 Mill St. Third Floor. • Each year the assessment center sends out pamphlets to agencies, doctors and other organizations explaining assessment services.

4. What does that look like? • The Child Find Assessment Center personnel also make presentations to the community about their services. • The center provides information to numerous publications that identify community resources.

5. Who do they assess? • Any children between the ages of 3 and 5, who are experiencing delays in their development or who have a disability are provided a free assessment at Child Find. • School age children are referred to their zoned school for assessment.

6. Who can make a referral to Child Find? • Parents, teachers, doctors, or other community members can refer children to Child Find. • Parents or guardians must give consent to the evaluation and provide pre-assessment information. • Parents or guardians are also asked to provide information about their concerns and any reports that have been generated by other agencies.

7. What happens at Child Find? • Child Find staff members greet families and provide an explanation of parental rights and the assessment plan. • Children are assessed by an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, School Nurse, School Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, and other professional staff as determined by the nature of the concern.

8. What happens after the assessment? • Child Find Staff members write and explain a report about their findings. • Parents or guardians participate in an eligibility meeting with staff members to determine the need for services. Children must demonstrate a significant delay in one area of development or a mild delay in two or more areas.

9. What happens after the assessment? • If a child is found eligible for services, an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is developed with participation from the parents or guardians. • Once the IEP is developed and a placement offered, parents or guardians have the right to agree or disagree with the services. • If they agree, they are asked to register their child for the program offered in the IEP.

10. What if they disagree? • Parents are under no obligation to accept special education services. • If they want services but disagree with the IEP, they have the right to due process. • Questions??

11. How to contact me or Child Find. • The number for Child Find is 333-5035 • My name is Shannon Ward and I am a Special Education Administrator for WCSD. I can be reached at 333-5039. • Thanks for you time!