Helping All Children Succeed

Do you have concerns about your child’s development or progress in school?

What Is Child Find?

Child find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA ’04) that requires states to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, ages birth through 21 years, who are in need of early intervention or special education services. This includes children who are highly mobile, such as migrant or homeless children, children suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade, private school students, and homeschool students.

The Arizona initiative for child find is referred to as AZ FIND.

Developmental and Educational Services for Children Ages Birth through 21 Years 
​Special programs are provided to students identified as having disabilities in any of the following areas:

• Autism

• Emotional Disability  

• Hearing Impairment

• Other Health Impairments

• Specific Learning Disability  

• Mild, Moderate or Severe Intellectual Disability

• Multiple Disabilities

• Multiple Disabilities with Severe Sensory Impairment

• Orthopedic Impairment  

• Preschool Moderate Delay

• Preschool Severe Delay

• Preschool Speech/Language Delay

• Speech/Language Impairment

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Visual Impairment

Definitions to the above click here

A referral for early intervention or special education services can come from a parent, guardian, foster parent, family member, teacher, counselor, or the student who finds learning difficult. The earlier you express your concerns, the sooner your child’s needs will be identified and the sooner he or she will receive the help needed to succeed.

Help for Infants and Toddlers 
​Children ages birth to 2 years 10 1/2 months are screened through the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) to determine if early intervention services are needed. Early intervention brings professionals, working in partnership with parents and families of children with special needs, together to support infants’ or toddlers’ growth, development, and learning. If you have questions about your child’s development, an AzEIP specialist will talk with you about your concerns and observe your child. If your child is found eligible, a plan will be designed to include strategies, activities, and supports to achieve desired outcomes related to your child’s needs. Make an online referral at www.azdes.gov/azeip. For more information, call 1-888-439-5609 or (602) 532-9960.

Help for Preschool and School-Aged Children 
​Your local school district, or the charter school your child attends (for school-aged children), screens children ages 2 years 10 1/2 months through 21 years. Public schools use an informal screening process to check your child’s development and academic progress. 
​• Screening must be completed within 45 calendar days of the date you notify the school of your concerns. 
​• When a concern is identified through screening procedures, you must be notified within 10 school days and informed of procedures to follow up on your child’s needs. For example:  Your child may be referred to the school’s child study team for pre-intervention services; or, If screening results indicate your child may have a disability, a comprehensive evaluation will be necessary to your child’s determine eligibility for special education and related services. A team, of which you will be a member, will meet to begin the process.

Screening and evaluation are free. All information contained in the screening or evaluation is confidential.

Be Involved! 
​Family engagement has a positive influence on your child’s academic success and emotional development. 
​• Set high expectations and establish goals. 
​• Communicate frequently with teachers to monitor your child’s achievements. 
​• Ask for ideas and materials to help your child learn at home. 
​• Reward progress and celebrate accomplishments. 
​• Volunteer for classroom and schoolwide activities. 
​• Attend community events and workshops that promote learning and social growth.

AZ FIND, 1-800-352-4558, AZFIND@azed.gov, www.azed.gov/special-education/az-find