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Child Find is a special education service provided by the Baltimore County Public School System for identifying children from ages three through twenty-one who are suspected of having an educational disability and who may be eligible for special education and related services.
Child Find referrals are made by calling 443-809-3017. |
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
- It begins with a review or screening of available information about the child.
- When screening indicates the possibility of an educational disability, the child is evaluated in relevant areas.
- When results indicate that a child is disabled and in need of special education services, an individualized plan is developed. This will be either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan, depending on the age and residency of the child.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF EDUCATIONAL DISABILITY?
Federal and state laws identify specific disabling conditions that entitle a child to special education service if it is determined that the disability is interfering with the child’s learning.
These conditions, called educational disabilities, include:
- Autism
- Deafness
- Deaf/Blindness
- Developmental Delay
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment (including blindness)
- Developmental Delay
View definitions
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CHILD FIND SERVICES?
- Preschool children residing in Baltimore County who are not enrolled in a preschool program.
- Children ages 3-21 attending an MSDE approved private/parochial school located in Baltimore County, regardless of residency.
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HOW DO I ACCESS THESE SERVICES?
- Preschool children residing in Baltimore County who are not enrolled in a preschool program may be referred directly to Child Find by calling 443-809-3017.
- Children enrolled in Baltimore County Public Schools who are suspected of having a disability, and may be in need of special education are referred directly for screening by contacting the local school.
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Children ages 3-21 enrolled in an MSDE approved private/parochial school located in Baltimore County may be referred to Child Find by calling 443-809-3017.
- Children, who are not yet three, may be referred to the Infants and Toddlers program by calling 443-809-2169.
WHO MAY REFER A CHILD?
- Most referrals are made directly by a child’s parents.
- Referrals (with parental consent) are made by health care providers, social workers, child care providers, and other individuals familiar with the child’s development.
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WHAT IS THE COST?
- Screening services are available at no charge to eligible children.
- Assessments, evaluations, and all special education services which are determined to be necessary are provided free of charge.
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WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
- Services for eligible preschool children, who are also Baltimore County residents, may include classroom instruction, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and audiological services.
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Services for eligible preschool children who are NOT Baltimore County residents are subject to the current Notice of Services for parentally placed private/parochial students.
- Services for all eligible children in grades K-12 are subject to the current Notice of Services for parentally placed private/parochial students.
When a young child is referred to Child Find the family is contacted either by a representative from the child’s home elementary school or by a team member from one of the BCPS Child Find Assessment Centers. BCPS has four Child Find Assessment Centers focused on guiding families of young children through the eligibility assessment process.
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The Child Find Assessment Center is staffed with a multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience in child development. Team members may include a teacher, a speech language pathologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a nurse, or a psychologist. An IEP chairperson facilitates the IEP team meetings. This team works with families through every stage of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process including the initial IEP meeting; testing and the development of an IEP.