Child Find

Caldwell County Schools has policies and procedures in effect that ensure that—

  • All children with disabilities, ages three through 21 residing in Caldwell County, including children who are homeless children or are wards of the State, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated;
  •  All children with disabilities ages three through 21, who are parentally placed in a private school located in the Caldwell County, including students being homeschooled, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated; and
  • A practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children are currently receiving needed special education and related services.

Use of term developmental delay. The following provisions apply with respect to implementing the child find requirements of this section:

    • Developmental delay applies to children in Caldwell County aged three through seven.

 Child find must also include—

    • Children who are suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education,even though they are advancing from grade to grade; and
    • Highly mobile children, including migrant children.

 Timeline for responding to a notification made by person other than parent or LEA.

  • Within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notification of concerns regarding a child, the CCS shall issue a written response to the child’s parent. The response shall include either an explanation of reasons CCS  will not pursue the concerns or a date for a meeting in which the CCS and parent will review existing data and determine whether a referral for consideration of eligibility for special education is necessary. Such meeting must be held within a reasonable time.

What Does This All Mean?

  • If the school has a concern about any child, ages 3 through 21, we are obligated to address that concern by convening either a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) meeting to begin the intervention process and/or an IEP team meeting to discuss pursuing an evaluation for special education.
  • If you, as a parent, have concerns about your child, we are obligated to address that concern.  
  • If you would like your child evaluated for EC services, please put that request in writing (we would be glad to help if needed) and we are obligated to convene an IEP meeting to discuss that concern, and if deemed necessary, complete an evaluation.
  • If someone other than the parent/guardian or school staff has concerns about your child, we are required to inform you of that information within 30 days and convene a meeting to discuss those concerns and determine if an evaluation for services is necessary.