What is Project Child Find? 

An effort coordinated by your local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:

• Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services. 

• Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.

Who Are the Children? 

Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.

What Help is Available? 

• A complete evaluation and, if appropriate, 

• An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three, 

• An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability birth through 2, or 

• A referral to other agencies when needed.

How Can I Help?

If you know of a child or youth with disabilities who is not in school or receiving special assistance, you can help by: 

• Giving a copy of this brochure to the parents or guardians of the child, 

• Encouraging the parent/guardian to contact the child’s teacher, principal, the district’s exceptional, or the Exceptional Children Division of the Department of Public Instruction, and

• Lending support to the child and his/her parents/ guardians until the referral is completed.

Why Should I Help? 

• A free appropriate public education is the right of every child with a disability, age 3 through 21.

• The law provides for early intervention services for children with a disability, birth through two years of age.

• Parents of children and youth with disabilities need your support and assistance. 

• Your local school system and the Exceptional Children Division need your help in locating these children. 

• Without your help, children with disabilities may not be found.

Rockingham County Schools employees and staff are responsible for ensuring that the district identifies, locates, and evaluates all children residing in our district with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. This includes all children ages 3 to 21 who:

• attend public or private schools;

• are home schooled; and/or

• are homeless or wards of the state.

This handbook is designed to support families with the understanding of the rights and responsibilities specific to the special education process. Acronyms and terms often used in special education and resources can be found in the appendices.

• Parent Rights (English)

• Parent Rights (Spanish)