- Coolidge Unified School District No. 21
- Child Find
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AZ Find
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What is Child Find?
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA '04) that requires states to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth through 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services. This includes children who are highly mobile, such as migrant or homeless children, children suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade, private school students, and homeschool students.
The Arizona initiative for Child Find is referred to as AZ Find
Developmental and Education Services for Children Ages Birth through 21 Years
Some children have more difficulty learning than others. They may have trouble achieving milestones in one or more of the following developmental or academic areas:
- Vision and Hearing
- Motor Control or Coordination
- Behavior or Social Skills
- Speech or Communication Skills
- Cognitive or Academic Skills
A referral for early intervention or special education services can come from a parent, guardian, foster parent, family member, teacher, counselor, or student who finds learning difficult.
Questions & Answers
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Help for Infants & Toddlers
Children aged from birth to 2 years 10 1/2 months are screened through the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) to determine if early intervention services are needed.
Early intervention brings professionals, working in partnership with parents and families of children with special needs, together to support infants’ or toddlers’ growth, development, and learning.
If you have questions about your child’s development, an AzEIP specialist will talk with you about your concerns and observe your child. If your child is found eligible, a plan will be designed to include strategies, activities, and support to achieve desired outcomes related to your child’s needs.
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Help for Preschool & School-Aged Children
Your local school district or the charter school your child attends (for school-aged students) screens children ages 2 years 10 1/2 months through 21 years. Public schools use an informal screening process to check your child’s development and academic progress.
- Screening must be completed within 45 calendar days of the date you notify the school of your concerns.
- When a concern is identified through screening procedures, you must be notified within 10 school-days and informed of procedures to follow up on your child’s needs. For example:
- Your child may be referred to the school’s study team for pre-intervention services; or,
- If screening results indicate your child may have a disability, a comprehensive evaluation will be necessary to determine your child’s eligibility for special education and related services. A team, of which you will be a member, will meet to begin the process.
- Your child may be referred to the school’s study team for pre-intervention services; or,
Screening and evaluation are free. All information contained in the screening or evaluation is confidential.
- Screening must be completed within 45 calendar days of the date you notify the school of your concerns.
Screening Schedule
| 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|
| July 25 | Jan 16 |
| August 15 | February 20 |
| September 19 | March 27 |
| October 24 | April 17 |
| November 21 | May 15 |
| December 19 | June 12 |
