Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth to 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services. It's a continuous process to locate and identify children at risk.

Child Find Overview (webpage) from the US Office of Special Education Programs. Offers a description of a comprehensive Child Find System.

Child Find FAQ (pdf) - updated 6/2018 Common questions addressed.

Legal Requirements for Birth to 3: Part C

• WI Birth to 3 Program Part C: (webpage) - Information about WI B-3 Program from the WI Department of Health Services.
• Dept. of Health Services Statutes (Part C) (pdf) - Legal requirements for Part C Programs.

Legal Requirements for Local Education Agencies (LEA's): Part B

• WI State Statutes 115.777 (webpage) Special education referrals, including Child Find.
• Model Child Find Referral Notice for LEA use (webpage) LEA requirement.
• Evaluation Timeline May 2013 (pdf)
• IEP & Placement Timeline May 2013 (pdf) 

Resources for Ages 3-5: Part B

• 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 2013 (pdf) - 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 2013 (pdf) -Used to inservice school district staff on Child Find requirements and recommended practices.

Training Materials for LEAs

Powerpoint for LEA's 2016 (pdf)

Handouts for use with LEA Child Find powerpoint:

• LEA 1 Child Find Inventory of Practices (pdf)
• LEA 2 WI State Statutes (Part B): LEA Requirements for Child Find (pdf)
• LEA 3 Evaluation Timeline June 2021 (pdf)
• LEA 4 IEP & Placement Timeline June 2021 (pdf)
• LEA 5 Parents as Accurate Reporters in Screening and Assessment (pdf)
• LEA 6 Guidance Related to OSEP Letter to Couillard 2013 (pdf)

Training Materials for Community Presentation

Powerpoint for Community 2016 (pdf)


Handouts for use with Community Presentation

• Community 1 WI Early Childhood Screening Schedule and Inventory Birth to 6 (pdf)
• Community 2 Parents as Accurate Reporters in Screening and Assessment (pdf)

Public Awareness

• ECTA Center Early ID: Public Awareness & Primary Referral Sources (webpage)
• Informed Referral Network(doc)

Homelessness & Child Find

• Homelessness for Child Find purposes (internal link)

Updated 4/17/2024