Child Find

  • Public school systems have an obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Child Find process to identify, locate, and evaluate children birth through age 21 who may be suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education and related services. This includes children who are attending private school or a home school program within the district's jurisdiction and at the parents' request. If your child is not enrolled in a public school and you are concerned that your child might have a disability affecting his or her learning, please contact the Exceptional Educational Office in your school district for further information regarding an evaluation.

    If you live in the Cartersville City School District, contact the system Child Find coordinator at 770-387-4725. If your child is attending K-12 private school in a district other than the one where you live, you should contact the Exceptional Education Office in the district of that private school.

    WHAT IS CHILD FIND?

    The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate and evaluate children suspected of, or having a disability or developmental delay. Cartersville City Schools serves children birth through age 3 with identified special education needs.

    POPULATIONS OF CHILDREN

    Districts have Child Find responsibility for all children suspected of having disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This includes:

    • Children, birth through 3, who may or may not be referred to and served by the state's early intervention program, Babies Can't Wait
    • Preschool children, ages 3 through 5, who may not be enrolled in a Georgia-funded pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, including children who are parentally placed in private preschools or daycare centers outside of the district
    • Children who are enrolled in a public school within the district, including public charter schools
    • Children who are parentally placed in private and home schools
    • Children who are attending charter schools within the district or in the area if it is designated as an individual district
    • Highly mobile children, including migrant, homeless, and children who are wards of the state
    • Children served in community programs such as rehabilitation centers, daycare centers, etc.
    • Children, ages 18 thru 21, who are incarcerated in facilities operated by the local sheriff's office or other municipalities
    • Any other children suspected of having disabilities

    WHO CAN REFER A CHILD FOR CHILD FIND?

    • Parents/legal guardians/foster parents
    • Other family members
    • Physician/Health care providers
    • Preschool programs
    • School System Personnel
    • Community Agencies
    • Private School Personnel
    • Others concerned about the child's development

    WHEN SHOULD A CHILD BE REFERRED?

    • A health or medical disorder interferes with development
    • A child seems to have difficulty seeing or hearing
    • A child appears to have social, emotional or behavioral concerns
    • A child has a diagnosed progressive or degenerative condition
    • Suspected development delay