Child Find
Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities designed to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who may be in need of early intervention.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI):
- Child Find: On this webpage, you will find information about Child Find requirements for schools and resources to support the creation of informed referral networks. Included on this page is the Child Find Frequently Asked Questions for Children Ages 3-5 document, which includes frequently asked questions about the requirements for Local Education Associations (LEAs) Child Find efforts.
- Special Education Rights for Parents and Students: This DPI webpage offers extensive resources regarding special education rights for parents and students. This includes detailed information about procedural safeguards mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Special Education in Plain Language: User-Friendly Handbook on Special Education Laws, Policies, and Practices in Wisconsin: This handbook was created collaboratively by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI), parents, and cross-sector partners to help parents and others successfully navigate the complex world of special education.
WI State Statutes 115.777: This Wisconsin State Legislature website lists the state statutes for special education referrals, including Child Find.
WI Birth to 3 Program: This website, provided by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, outlines the Birth to 3 Program, an early intervention initiative designed to support children under three years old with developmental delays or disabilities, as well as their families. The program emphasizes family partnership and aims to enhance child development by providing crucial services. The website is multilingual.
Early Intervention in Wisconsin (EI in WI): Early Intervention in Wisconsin (EI in WI) is Wisconsin’s hub for professional development for birth to 3 professionals. The webpage has resources for early intervention practices and information on professional development.
Dept. of Health Services Statutes (Part C): This is a PDF of state statutes for early intervention services for children from birth to age three with developmental needs.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: Child Find for Young Children with Disabilities: The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ETCA) from the US Office of Special Education Programs shares a description of a comprehensive Child Find System and resources. Included in their resources are Public Awareness & Primary Referral Sources and Child Find Federal Requirements.
Parents as Accurate Reporters in Screening and Assessment: The provided text from Brookes Publishing ASQ website highlights the reliability of parents as sources of information regarding their child’s development. Research indicates that most parents, regardless of background, offer accurate insights into their child’s current, observable behaviors. The text emphasizes that parental involvement in developmental screening is crucial.
Special Education Procedural Safeguards: Rights for Parents and Children: This document from the US Department of Education outlines special education procedural safeguards for parents and children with disabilities, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It details parental rights concerning evaluation, placement, and services for children with disabilities, including the necessity of informed consent for evaluations and the provision of services.
Additional Resources for Educational Providers
These Resources were created by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) with support from the Early Childhood Child Find Statewide Coordination Grant (CFDA #84.173).
- Child Find Live Binder – This compiles numerous resources to support a system of Child Find, including screening tools, best practices resources, public awareness strategies, and legal requirements. Access code: childfind
- Child Find Pamphlet for Families and Communities – Includes an overview of developmental milestones that can be made available throughout the community. Includes space to insert LEA contact information.
- Child Find Pamphlet for LEAs – Used to in-service school district staff on Child Find requirements and recommended practices.
- Child Find Inventory of Practices – The document outlines a comprehensive Child Find Inventory of Practices, focusing on the identification and support of young children with potential developmental needs. This inventory details legal requirements, emphasizes screening practices, and introduces three categories of Implementation Drivers.
- Evaluation Timeline -This visual chart outlines the timeline from referral for evaluation to developing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- IEP & Placement Timeline-A visual chart detailing the steps and timeline for the creation and review of Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
Updated 10/28/2025