Elements of Child Find

A comprehensive Child Find system includes at least seven major elements:

• Definition of Target Population
• Public Awareness
• Referral and Intake
• Screening and Identification of Young Children who May be Eligible for IDEA Services
• Eligibility Determinations
• Tracking
• Interagency Coordination
  

Definition of Target Population

The population to be identified must be defined and described. To identify children who may have health or developmental issues as early as possible, it is important to think broadly about needed programs and services and conduct Child Find activities accordingly. For example, needs may range from an eye exam for a child having minor vision difficulties to a full evaluation for a child in need of more comprehensive or ongoing early intervention services. Multiple State programs have a responsibility to identify children in need of these services. Programs that are responsible for serving identified children include early intervention, preschool special education, Head Start, Title V programs for children with special health care needs, and State Medicaid and SCHIP initiatives.

IDEA targets all children with disabilities ages birth to 21 who reside in the State. Child Find in the reauthorization of IDEA is clarified to include children who are homeless or wards of the State. The definition of homeless children is clarified to mean the same as defined in Section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Public Awareness

Early intervention systems must include a public awareness effort that focuses on the early identification of children who are eligible for services. Information about services and how to access them may be disseminated through the mass media and other communication mechanisms throughout the State on a regular basis to parents, physicians, and others who may make referrals. Additional awareness may be needed with State and local agencies seeking children and families who are homeless.

Referral and Intake

A mechanism must exist for a broad range of referral sources to be informed about eligibility, identification of children who may be eligible, and how to make appropriate referrals to public agencies. Once the public agency receives a referral, a services coordinator needs to be appointed as soon as possible.

Screening and Identification of Young Children who May be Eligible for IDEA Services

Each statewide system should include procedures for screening of health and development as one component of a comprehensive Child Find system. Use of standardized, validated, accurate measures is highly recommended. Informal detection methods (checklists, observations, review of milestones, or use of selected items on validated screens, etc.) are not recommended because they miss the majority of children with disabilities. However, some informal methods (such as checklists) may encourage parents and caregivers to ask questions about a child's health or development that lead to screening and/or evaluation.

Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can use standardized screening tools that have been designed for this purpose.

Screening is mandated under EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment) and is required of pediatric healthcare providers who deliver routine health supervision services.

Eligibility Determination

Each State has eligibility criteria for early intervention that needs to be consistent with federal regulations. In addition, some States have elected to serve children who are at risk of developmental disability. These States must describe their criteria and procedures for determining which children meet the "at risk" criteria.

Services must be available for conducting diagnostic assessments and for identifying the intervention services needed. (Note: Parts B and C regulations address this issue but not under Child Find.)

Tracking

States need to have a tracking system to determine which children are receiving services and ensure follow-up once children are referred.

Interagency Coordination

Child Find activities need to be coordinated across State and local agencies to ensure efficient use of resources. Information about Child Find procedures and activities must be available to all individuals and agencies serving infants and children.