WHAT IS CHILD FIND?

Child Find is part of Colorado’s system for identifying children suspected of having a delay in development. If a young child is not meeting typical developmental milestones, or there is concern about the child’s growth or learning, early intervention may be recommended and provide valuable strategies and tools for a child and their family. With parent consent, child find teams will evaluate how the child plays, learns, speaks, behaves and moves. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if there is a significant delay or if there is a need for early intervention or special education services. Evaluations conducted by Child Find teams are at no cost to the family.

Child Find provides developmental screenings and, when appropriate, comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations

Child Find is mandated by law

Child Find is a free service

Child Find connects children and families to intervention services when it is appropriate

The Child Find Program is provided throughout the 3 school districts in the Mt. Evans BOCES. Children from birth through preschool age are screened and evaluated through the district childfind team.

WHY IS CHILD FIND IMPORTANT?

Child Find helps the child and the family to determine the need for services and links families to these services. For younger children, Child Find can reassure parents about their child’s development.

Child Find also has the responsibility of helping hard to reach populations (migrant, homeless or truant students, etc) to connect to Child Find and eligible services in their area.

WHEN SHOULD A CHILD BE REFERRED TO CHILD FIND?

A referral may be made by anyone who has a concern about a child’s development. Children may be referred by any of the following:

* Parents/legal guardians/foster parents

* Physicians/health care providers

* Child care providers

* Community agencies

* Other family members

* Others who are concerned about a child’s development

WHO DO I CONTACT TO REFER A CHILD

Contact the Community Center Board in your County of Residence OR the Child Find Coordinator in your school district:

Clear Creek County – Development Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) Joy Miles Office: 303.462.6656 Cell: 720.319.0375 Fax: 303.462.6697 www.ddrcco.com OR Emily Hanshew ehanshew@mtevansboces.com

Gilpin County – Development Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) Joy Miles Office: 303.462.6656 Cell: 720.319.0375 Fax: 303.462.6697 www.ddrcco.com OR Beth Worley in Gilpin County School District, 720-562-3101.

Park County (Platte Canyon School District) – The Resource Exchange (TRE) Hope Flansburg, Early Intervention Coordinator

The Resource Exchange, P.O. Box 1069, Bailey, CO 80421

Mobile: (303) 816-0011 Fax: (844) 207-6957http://www.TRE.org

OR Emily Hanshew in Platte Canyon School District, 303-838-7666ehanshew@mtevansboces.com