Child Find
​Ed 1105
Governor Wentworth Regional School District (GWRSD) ensures that all children who have disabilities, from 2 years-5 months to age 21-0 months, who reside in the District and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated. This applies to all children with disabilities, including highly mobile (such as migrant and homeless children), children placed in homes for children, health care facilities, or state institutions, and children who are suspected of being eligible under IDEA, even though they are advancing from grade to grade. In addition, this applies to those children attending non-public private schools within the geographic boundaries of GWRSD.
For those students transitioning from Early Supports and Services to preschool, GWRSD will participate in a transition planning meeting for the purposes of affecting a smooth and timely transition and implementing an Individual Education Plan or Individual Family Support Plan by the child’s third birthday.
The GWRSD Child Find Program includes, at a minimum, the following:
GWRSD has established referral procedures, which ensure that all students who are suspected or known to be a child with a disability are referred to the special education evaluation team for further evaluation. These procedures are found in Section 8 – Pupil Evaluation to Placement).
Any person may refer a child under the age of 21 years to the IEP team for reasons including but not limited to the following:
​​*failing to pass a hearing or vision screening;
*unsatisfactory performance on group achievement tests or accountability measures;
*receiving multiple academic and/or behavioral warnings or suspensions or expulsion from a child care or after school program;
*repeatedly failing one or more subjects;
* inability to progress or participate in developmentally appropriate activities; and
*receiving services from family centered early support and services.
On an annual basis, GWRSD contacts all approved nonpublic private schools (including religious elementary and secondary schools) within its geographic boundaries regardless of where the child resides. GWRSD shall conduct a consultation meeting and advise school officials of GWRSD’s responsibilities to identify and evaluate all students who are suspected of or known to be a child with a disability enrolled in such schools. GWRSD shall conduct child find activities that ensure equitable participation of private school students with disabilities and provide an accurate count of those students. All child find activities conducted for children enrolled in private schools by their parents shall be similar to those activities conducted for children who attend public schools in GWRSD. Referrals from approved nonpublic schools shall be forwarded to an appropriate special education team for further consideration.
On an annual basis, GWRSD contacts all community agencies and programs within its geographical boundaries that provide medical, mental health, welfare, and other human services, to advise them of GWRSD’s responsibility to identify and evaluate all students who may be a child with a disability. This includes homes for children, health care facilities, or state institutions within the boundaries of GWRSD that may have knowledge of children with disabilities who are involved with the state court and for whom a special education program may be appropriate. Referrals from these agencies shall be forwarded to the special education evaluation team for further consideration.
On an annual basis, GWRSD publicizes and disseminates information, which describes its Child Find Program. This includes a description of GWRSD’s special education program, supports and services, including a contact person, his/her functions, and the manner by which he/she might be contacted for further information or referral.
GWRSD shall annually provide all parents of children with disabilities information regarding their rights and responsibilities under federal and state special education laws.
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GWRSD ensures that all referrals from parents and others who suspect or know a child with a disability are forwarded to the special education evaluation team. GWRSD shall provide the parents with a written notice of any referral other than one initiated by the parent.
B. Ensure there are continuing efforts related to cultural competency in relationship to public awareness and child find activities, such as the ability to communicate with and relate to parents and families in ways which are appropriate to their individual racial, ethnic, and/or cultural backgrounds.
GWRSD shall coordinate with area agencies and family centered supports and services to establish a process of district notification of children served by these programs consistent with the interagency agreement between GWRSD and the area agencies providing family centered supports and services.
i. Ed 1105.04(a): The LEA shall develop a written early transition process for children exiting family centered supports and services which assures that any child who is potentially a child with a disability is evaluated and eligibility for special education and related services is determined prior to the child’s third birthday. If a child is determined to be a child with a disability eligible for special education and related services, the LEA shall ensure that an IEP is developed and implemented on/before the child’s third birthday.
ii. Ed 1105.04(b): The transition process in Ed 1105.04(a) shall include a written interagency agreement between the LEA and the local area agencies, as defined by RSA 171-A:21-b, responsible for the provision of family centered supports and services in that community.