Child Find & Referrals

Child Find refers to the federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that all children in need of special education services are identified, located and evaluated. Schools are responsible for conducting Child Find and identifying all IDEA-eligible students that reside in their jurisdiction. Child Find is not a passive activity, but rather an active process.

Children with disabilities from birth through age 21 are covered. This includes children who are being homeschooled or who are in private school.

Anyone can start the process: a parent/guardian, doctor, teacher, relative or friend can call their local school district Child Find. If you are concerned about a child’s learning, contact your local school campus, district, or charter school.

Please contact the special education department at your child’s school. Special education and related services are available to all eligible individuals ages three through 21 years of age. 

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) agencies provide services to children ages from birth to their third birthday for learning, speech, behavior, or other delays. Your child’s school and ECI agencies provide services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, have visual impairments, and/or have deaf blindness. To find your local ECI, click here.

All services provided by schools through IDEA are at no cost to the individual or parents.

For more information, you can contact SPEDTex at 1-855-773-3839. They provide information and resources that can help you understand disabilities, your rights, and the school’s responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The first day of a full individual and initial evaluation timeline is the first school day following the date written consent is received by the local education agency (LEA) from the parent. 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §89.1011(d). Full Individual and Initial Evaluation

The date of the report for a full and individual initial evaluation is when the evaluation, including data gathering, has concluded, and the multidisciplinary team has determined if the student meets the criteria for a disability condition and has specified the educational needs of the student. 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §300.301(c)(2)

Absences are added to the initial evaluation timeline once the student has accumulated at least three absences. A student is considered absent for the school day if the student is not in attendance at the school's official attendance taking time or alternative attendance taking time as described in the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook. 19 TAC, §89.1011(j). Full Individual and Initial Evaluation

NOTE: For children ages three to five who are not enrolled in a traditional public-school setting (i.e., those who are parentally placed in a private school or homeschooled) absences are not accumulated to extend the timeline required for an initial evaluation.

A copy of the written FIIE report must be provided to the parent as soon as possible after completion of the report but no later than five school days prior to the initial ARD committee meeting, which will determine a student's initial eligibility or not later than June 30 if applicable. 19 TAC, §89.1011(h). Full Individual and Initial Evaluation

If a student was in the process of being evaluated for special education eligibility by an LEA and enrolls in another LEA before the previous LEA completed the full individual and initial evaluation, the new LEA must coordinate with the previous LEA as necessary and as expeditiously as possible to ensure prompt completion of the evaluation in accordance with 34 CFR, §300.301(d)(2) and (e) and §300.304(c)(5).

The original evaluation timeline does not apply if:

1. The new LEA is making sufficient progress to ensure prompt completion of the evaluation
2. The parent and the new LEA agree to a specific time when the evaluation will be completed. 19 TAC, §89.1011(f). Full Individual and Initial Evaluation