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Child Find is an ongoing process of identifying, locating, and evaluating the needs of children ages birth to 21 and providing services to meet individual and unique student needs.
The vision of Carroll Independent School District (CISD) is to create a learning environment that inspires individual success and responsibility in our global community. |
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Use these Quick Links to find an area of interest:
1. What is Child Find?
2. What is the Child Find Process?
3. Can students in private or home schools receive special education services?
4. Can CISD test students who attend private or home schools?
5. Will CISD accept private/outside evaluations?
6. Is there a screening or pre-referral process that will help me determine if my child might have a disability?
7. Glossary
ARD
CISD
Dual Enrollment
ECI
IDEA
IEP
IFSP
ISP
Proportionate Share
Related Services
SAT
8. Who do I call for help? |
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What is Child Find?
"Child Find" is a requirement of both Federal and State law. It mandates that each school district will locate, identify and evaluate, at no cost to the family, all students, from birth through 21, who are suspected of having a disability. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) lists and defines thirteen disabilities. They are: autism, deaf-blindness, auditory impairment, emotional disturbance, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, learning disability, speech impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, or noncategorical early childhood.
IDEA also requires school districts to evaluate students suspected of having a disability, determine each student's educational need(s) and, subsequently, determine the student's eligibility to receive specialized services. |
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What is the Child Find Process?
Children ages 0 to 3 are referred to Early Childhood Intervention of Tarrant County (ECI). The referral phone number is 817-446-8000.
ECI Services:
ECI services focus on helping to meet the needs of both the eligible child and the family. This program is implemented in the home setting of the child. ECI uses and Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP). The developmental needs of the child and family concerns are stated as outcomes of the IFSP.
ECI Criteria:
• Ages 0 to 3
• Have an assessed developmental
disability or be medically at-risk for a developmental delay
• Live in Tarrant County
Children ages 3 through 21 are referred to the home campus in Carroll School District that the student attends/would attend. However, some students are referred through the Early Childhood team.
CISD Services:
CISD will focus on the child and his/her educational needs. Special Education programs and other special educational services are offered at specific school sites. CISD uses an Individual Education Program (IEP). The educational needs of the child are stated on the IEP. The IEP is developed at an Individual Education Program team meeting which includes the parents.
CISD Criteria:
• Must have a disability
• Must have an educational need
• Parents/guardians must reside in Carroll Independent School District. |
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Can students in private or home schools receive special education services?
Carroll Independent School District (CISD) provides full special educational services for eligible children ages 3 to 5 (if they turn 5 after September 1, services continue through the school year; if the 5th birthday is before September 1, services stop on the birthday) for students in private or home schools. This is called "Dual Enrollment." Partial services can be accessed at parent request.
For students 5 through 21, CISD also must use a portion ("proportionate-share") of the federal money it receives under IDEA for participation in some services by eligible private/home school children with disabilities. The services that are currently being provided are Speech/Language Services and Occupational Therapy Services. CISD will provide the Speech and Occupational Therapy services only to those children with a disability who are also eligible to receive the service on their current IEP. In lieu of an IEP, proportionate-share students have an Individual Service Plan (ISP) developed to address their needs. Students who do not have a current IEP will need to undergo a reevaluation to determine eligibility. |
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Does CISD test students who attend private or home schools?
Yes, if the student meets CISD criteria (residency, age, etc.). |
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Will CISD accept private/outside evaluations?
IDEA mandates that CISD consider all private or outside evaluations when making decisions about a student's needs and eligibility. However, CISD is obligated to conduct all additional evaluations that may be needed in order to determine the child's educational needs and subsequent eligibility for special education and related services.
All information that is gathered about a student during the evaluation process is considered at an Individual Education Program (IEP) team meeting with parents in attendance. |
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Is there a screening or pre-referral process that will help me determine if my child might have a disability?
Each Carroll campus has a Student Assistant Team (SAT), which is a team of educators who meet either on a regular and/or as needed basis to address the needs of students ages 3 through 21.
Student names may be submitted to the SAT by anyone in the educational community or by a parent. All direct parent referrals for special education will be addressed by the SAT.
Students may receive informal "screenings" by staff members such as speech therapists, physical therapists and even classroom teachers. The information gathered during the screening process is provided and discussed at the SAT meeting(s). |
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Glossary
ARD: Admission-Review-Dismissal Committee (no longer used; the term IEP Team is now used)
CISD: Carroll Independent School District
Dual Enrollment: Students age 5 may receive special education services at CISD while also attending a private/home school
ECI: Early Childhood Intervention of Tarrant County
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP: Individual Education Program (used for disabled students ages 3 through 21)
IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan
ISP: Individual Service Plan
Proportionate Share: The share of IDEA funds that must be used to provide services for private/home schooled students with disabilities; services are determined by the school district in consultation with private/home school representatives
Related Services: Based on a student's educational needs, services such as occupational therapy and physical therapy may be necessary for the student to benefit from the educational program
SAT: Student Assistant Team |
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Who do I call for help?
For more information please contact the
Child Find Coordinator at 817-949-8400 or the
CISD Office of the Director of Special Programs at
817-949-7050. |
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