Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education is a state and federally mandated program for children aged 3–5 who meet state eligibility criteria because they are experiencing developmental delays. School districts and other public agencies are responsible for locating, identifying, and evaluating eligible children and for offering a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Eligible children are entitled to a FAPE at no cost to the family with programming designed to help children meet challenging objectives alongside their typically developing peers. When a delay is suspected, or children are not meeting milestones, local school districts offer Child Find services, providing screening, and if needed, evaluation services to determine eligibility.
Early Childhood Special Education Child Find
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ’04) that requires Public Education Agencies to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth through 21, located within their boundaries of responsibility who are in need of early intervention or special education services. Schools meet their obligations for Child Find in several ways as represented by the Child Find Policy and Procedures Checklist. For children transitioning to preschool from Early Intervention, Arizona Department of Education and DES Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) have a Child Find and Transition Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that defines the responsibilities for establishing and operating this statewide comprehensive, coordinated system. Ash Fork Schools holds Child Find on the 1st of every month but you may reach out to the district’s special education department at any time during school hours 8-4pm at 928-637-2561 ex. 3142. Ask for Lily Young or Evelina Acosta.