Child Find Procedures

Child Find: Helping Every Child Reach Their Potential

Coffee County Schools is committed to identifying, locating, and evaluating children who may have disabilities and need special education and related services. Through our Child Find program, we work to ensure that every eligible child has access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

What is Child Find?

Child Find is an ongoing process designed to identify children from birth through age 21 who may have developmental delays or disabilities that impact their educational performance. The program applies to children attending public schools, private schools, homeschool programs, or those not currently enrolled in school who reside within the Coffee County School System's attendance area.

When Should a Child Be Referred?

A referral may be appropriate if a child is experiencing significant difficulties in areas such as:

• Academic achievement
• Speech or language development
• Motor skills
• Social or emotional development
• Behavior
• Hearing or vision
• Cognitive development
• Adaptive or daily living skills

Parents, guardians, teachers, physicians, childcare providers, or other individuals familiar with the child may initiate a referral.

The Child Find Process

Once a referral is received, the following steps generally occur:

1. Referral – A concern is shared with the child's school or the Special Education/504 Coordinator.
2. Review of Information – School personnel review available educational and developmental information.
3. Evaluation – With written parent consent, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted when appropriate.
4. Eligibility Determination – A team, including the parent or guardian, reviews evaluation results to determine whether the child qualifies for special education services under IDEA.
5. Individualized Education Program (IEP) – If the child is determined eligible, an IEP team develops a plan designed to meet the student's unique educational needs.

Parent Rights

Parents and guardians are valued partners throughout the Child Find process. Written parental consent is required before any initial evaluation is conducted, and parents are provided with procedural safeguards that explain their rights under federal and state law.

Our Commitment

Coffee County Schools is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Early identification and intervention can make a significant difference in a child's educational journey, and we encourage families to reach out if they have concerns about their child's development or learning.

Contact Us

If you believe your child may need special education services or would like more information about the Child Find process, please contact your child's school or the Coffee County Schools Special Education/504 Coordinator Holli Richardson. We are available to answer questions, discuss concerns, and guide families through the referral and evaluation process.

Together, we can help every child reach their full potential.