Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), that requires Public Education Agencies to locate, identify and evaluate all children with disabilities aged birth through 21, located within their geographic boundaries who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations require that all children with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services, regardless of the severity of their disability, are identified, located, and evaluated. [20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(3); 34 C.F.R. § 300.111(a)]

*Child Find applies to children who are:

• Suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade
• Highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless families
• Wards of the State
• Private school students
• Home school student

The regulations that implement the IDEA require each State to have policies and procedures to ensure that “all children with disabilities . . . including children with disabilities who are homeless children or are wards of the State, and children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated.” [34 C.F.R. § 300.111(a)(i)] In Arizona, each public education agency must have written procedures for the identification and referral of all children with disabilities within its boundaries of responsibility, including children with disabilities attending private schools and those who are home schooled. [A.A.C. R7-2-401(D)(1)]

Charter schools identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities within their populations served who are in need of special education and related services.

Children’s ages 3 to 5 years old can participate in a developmental preschool screening by contacting us at (602)246-5155 to set up an appointment.

Do you have a child or adolescent who is homeschooled that you suspect may have a disability? Please attend a meeting on May 26th at 9:00 am with the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 4510 N. 37th Ave. to learn more about Child Find for Homeschooled students.

AZ FIND Brochure (Spanish)

AZ FIND Brochure (English)