PROJECT CHILD FIND
North Carolina has a continuing Child Find procedure in place to locate all children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services. This effort also includes highly mobile children with disabilities (such as migrant and homeless children) and children who are suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education, even though they are advancing from grade to grade. The purpose of this procedure is to enhance public understanding of exceptional children and youth with special needs, to identify and locate the children and youth, and to inform the public of available services.
What is Project Child Find?
And effort coordinated by Martin County Schools and the Exceptional Children Division of the 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 (IEP) for children with a
disability beginning at age three,
An individualized family service plan (IFSP) for reach child with a disability birth through 2, or
A referral to other agencies when needed.
For further information regarding Child Find or if you have suspect a a student residing in Martin County may have a disability which requires special education services, please contact Lisa Bowen, Exceptional Children Program Director, at 252-792-1575.
Resources for Parents:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: Exceptional Children Division (age 3-21): 919-807-3969
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services – Local Children’s Developmental Services Agency
Division of Public Health/Early Intervention (age birth-2): 919-707-5520
Office of Citizen Services – CARE-LINE: 1-800-662-7030 or (TTY) 1-877-452-2514
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center – Parent Information Line: 1-800-962-6817
Family Support Network of North Carolina: 1-800-852-0042