Child Find

What is Child Find? The process of locating and evaluating children with disabilities is referred to as "Child Find." The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all school districts to locate, evaluate and provide services for individual children birth to 21, who may have a disability. In addition to staff employed by Triad CUSD #2, a parent or outside person/provider may refer a student who they suspect may have a disability to the school district by contacting the school psychologist or building administrator where the child attends.

As a district, we continually assess our students to identify growth and help identify skills that may still be difficult for a student. The steps of the problem-solving process include:

  • When a child does not appear to be making adequate gains in skill areas, the teacher will start to provide additional instruction to that student in a small group or individually.

  • If the child continues to have difficulty, the teacher may look to the RtI (Response to Intervention) team to determine if additional instruction, beyond what the teacher can provide during the day, is required. The teacher will notify you if he/she is bringing your child up to the RtI team.

  • The RtI team will determine what, if any, additional instruction needs to be provided, who will provide it, and when this instruction will be provided.

  • The student will be closely progress monitored to determine if the intervention(s) are being successful or if changes need to be made to the intervention(s) being provided.

    At any time the RtI team may recommend the child to the Special Education Department if they suspect that the child has a disability, if the child is not adequately responding to the interventions being provided, or if the interventions being provided are beyond what the general education program can provide long term and it is determined that this is what the child requires for continued progression of skills.

Child Find for Preschool Aged Children (3-5)

Triad offers free screening services for children 3-5 years of age as a means to assist parents in sorting concerns or questions they may have regarding their child's development. A screening is not a comprehensive or in-depth evaluation. It may assist in ruling out certain concerns or providing direction for further investigation. If any areas are identified as a concern, parents will be offered ideas, suggestions, and/or recommendations including possible further evaluation. If an evaluation suggests a child may be in need of formal developmental support, a variety of services are provided through Triad's Early Childhood Special Education program, including speech-language therapy and preschool developmental classrooms.

If you have questions or concerns about your preschooler's development, or to refer a child for evaluation, contact the Early Childhood office at 667-8851 x6137.

Child Find for Children attending a Private or Parochial School (ages 3-21)

If you are a resident of Triad CUSD #2 and your child attends a private or parochial school outside of Triad CUSD #2 boundaries, the public school district in which the private or parochial school resides is responsible for the child find activities. If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress and/or suspect a disability, please speak to the staff/administration at your child's school. If found eligible for special education services, your child may be entitled to receive services through the public school district where your child's private or parochial school is located.

Child Find for Home Schooled Children

Triad CUSD #2 is responsible for conducting child find activities for students being schooled at home. Parents who have concerns about their child's development and/or suspect a disability may contact Linda Kowalski, Special Education Director, to discuss concerns and any required assessments or services your child may be entitled to through Triad CUSD #2. Contact information: email address: Linda.Kowalski@triadunit2.org or phone number: 618-667-8851 x1213.