Child Find
Mar 11, 2025
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Child Find activities are the responsibility of each Local Education Agency (LEA) and occur prior to a referral for special education services. These activities are designed to locate individuals, birth through 21 years of age, including children not enrolled in public school programs as well as children who are homeless or wards of the state and reside in the district and may be eligible for and in need of special education and/or related services.
Child find activities also foster awareness and understanding on the part of educators, parents and other community members of the referral procedures for special education, the eligibility criteria, and the continuum of special education programs and services available. Child find activities inform educators, community agencies, and parents/guardians of their right to refer their child for a special education assessment to determine eligibility and the need for special education services.
(E.C. ยง 56300 and 56301)
(E.C. ยง 56300 and 56301)
CA Special Education Local Plan Areas
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The California Legislature implements the provisions of IDEA through the California Master Plan for Special Education. This plan was first implemented statewide in 1980 with the passage of Senate Bill 1870.
Some of the major areas covered by state and federal laws are the following:
- Child Find - Each public school system is responsible to find children with disabilities in its area
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - Each public school system is responsible for ensuring that each child with disabilities is served appropriately, at no expense to the parent
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - Each child is assured of his/her right of education with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of both
- Due Process - The right of parent participation, and challenge, in all aspects of assessment, identification and placement is assured; involves mediation or administrative hearing procedures and complaint procedure in case of disputes
- Individualized Educational Program (IEP) - The right of a child to an educational program designed to meet his/her individual needs and based on adequate assessment is assured. At age 14 to 16 this includes the development of an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to provide for transition into the world of work.
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