What is Child Find? The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate all children, in the district, birth through 21, who are suspected of, or have a disability or developmental delay that may result in a need for special education and related services. Coweta County Schools serves children ages 3 through 21 with identified special education needs.

Disability categories: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deafblind, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Significant Developmental Delay, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment.

How does Coweta County conduct Child Find activities? Coweta County completes Child Find responsibilities in a variety of ways. Coweta County includes public announcements through local media, meetings with private and home-school representatives, our parent mentor, through collaboration with other public agencies such as the Divisions of Mental Health, Family and Children’s Services, and Community Health, parent requests, daycares, and through our MTSS process in each school.

Preschool Children Procedures: If you are aware of a preschooler, aged 3 to 5 years old, who has or may have a disability, and is in need of special education services, call the Special Education Preschool Coordinator at 770-254-2800. Refer to Preschool Referral Procedures.

Parent Request Procedures: If you suspect that your child has a disability and is need of special education services, please contact the school and express your concerns to your child's teacher and/or school administrator. Refer to Parent Request Procedures.

Private and Home School Child Find Procedures: Child find applies to children with disabilities who are parentally-placed in private schools or home schools. They are not entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), but the district will provide services based on a proportionate share of federal funds. Refer to proportionate share meeting and procedures under the private and home school procedures. If a child is suspected of having a disability that is parentally placed in a private school or home school and needs evaluation for special education eligibility consideration, please contact the Special Education Department at 770-254-2800 to obtain a referral packet. Refer to Private and Home School Procedures.

CCSS Private/Homeschool Evaluation Request Procedures

School Age Children Procedures: If a child who is already enrolled in Coweta County Schools is suspected of having a disability, and in need of special education services, please contact the school and express the concerns to the child's teacher and/or school administrator. Refer to Student Support Team procedures.

How can children be referred? A referral may be made by anyone who has a concern about a child's development. All referrals are considered confidential. The parent retains the right to refuse services. Children may be referred by any of the following:

• Parents/legal guardians/foster parents
• Other family members
• Physicians/health care providers
• Preschool programs
• School system personnel
• Community agencies
• Private school personnel
• Others who are concerned about a child's development. To make a referral follow the procedures indicated above based on the referral request.