What is child find?

Child find is a critical legal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), aimed at ensuring that all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, are identified, located, and evaluated. The primary purpose of child find is to ensure that these children receive appropriate special education and related services as early as possible. This commitment reflects the understanding that early intervention can significantly impact a child's development and educational outcome.

Through the child find system, educational agencies are tasked with actively seeking out children who may be in need of special education services, which includes conducting assessments and evaluations to determine eligibility. This process emphasizes the importance of proactive measures in identifying children with disabilities and ensuring that they have access to support and resources tailored to their needs. In doing so, the child find requirement plays a crucial role in promoting the equity and inclusivity of educational opportunities for all children.