CHILD FIND
Child Find is the federally mandated process designed to identify,
locate and evaluate children who are birth to age 21, inclusive, who are
in need of special education and related services as defined in the
Virginia Regulations. This includes children who are home-schooled or
home-tutored, children who are mobile, including those who are homeless
or migrant, and who are wards of the state; children who are under 18,
who are suspected of having a disability who need special education and
related services, and who are incarcerated in a regional or local jail
for 10 or more days; and children who are suspected of being children
with disabilities, even though they are advancing from grade to grade.
Culpeper
County Public Schools participates in the Rappahannock/ Rapidan
Interagency Coordinating Council which oversees the requirements found
in Part C of IDEA. Children, aged birth through two, are referred to
the Rappahannock/ Rapidan Community Services Board, which operates the
Infant-Toddler Connection (ITC). The phone number for ITC is 829-7480.
Culpeper County Public Schools provides special education and related
services for children who will be at least two years old on or by
September 30th of the current school year.
Culpeper
County Public Schools conducts public awareness activities on an ongoing
basis. Child Find is the required process of locating children in need
of referral. Brochures are distributed to local public agencies and
private schools as well as physicians’ offices and other locations in
the community to inform the public of referral services. Newspaper
announcements are also used for the Child Find Campaign. The
Parent-Teacher Resource Center assists with notifying and collaborating
with parents and community members.
CCPS is also required to
identify children who are parentally placed in private schools located
within Culpeper County, even if they reside outside of Culpeper County.
SCREENING PROCEDURES
The Code of Virginia and The Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia has specific screening requirements for all students in public schools.
Screening
results must be documented on a screening form and filed in a
confidential manner in each student’s scholastic record. Parents must
be informed of the results of the screening.
Screening timelines are as follows:
- Hearing
& Vision – within 60 administrative days of the opening of the
school year for all children in grades K, 3, 7, & 10.
- Speech,
Voice, Language, and Fine & Gross Motor – within 60 administrative
days of the opening of school for all new enrollees including those in
kindergarten and those who transfer in the school division for the first
time.
- Scoliosis – Educational information on scoliosis
will be provided to parents of students in grades 5 – 10 within 60
business days after the opening of school each year.
The
screening may take place up to 60 business days prior to the start of
school or 60 days from the start of the school year. Screenings
reported as part of the student’s pre-school physical examination may be
recognized as fulfilling this requirement. Written notice to parents
must be provided to parents within 30 days of the screening.
Children
who fail any of the above screenings may be rescreened if the original
results are not considered valid. Results from screening(s) may suggest
that a referral for evaluation for special education and related
services is indicated.
CCPS offers free developmental screenings
for preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) suspected of possible
developmental delays. Depending upon screening results, some children
are referred to the preschool child study team. Parents and school
professionals discuss screening results and determine if an evaluation
for possible special education services are warranted.
CHILD STUDY REFERRAL PROCEDURE
Referrals
to the Child Study Team can be made in writing, electronically, or
verbally to a principal or Child Study Chair (special education
designee) regardless of whether the child is enrolled in public school.
Anyone can make a referral, including parents, school staff, the Child
Study Team, the VDOE or any other state agency, or other individual.
(Please note that if the referral comes from someone other than a parent
or school staff, the parent must provide written consent for the
exchange of information between the individual and school staff.)
The
Child Study Chair (special education designee) will schedule the Child
Study meeting, ensuring that the parent and all required team members
receive written notification of the meeting..
The Child Study
Team must convene within 10 business days to consider the referral.
Please contact the Child Study Chair at your child's school (see below).
Child Study Chairs
|
|
|
AG Richardson Elementary |
Mary Greso |
540-825-0616 |
Emerald Hill Elementary |
Erica Hoy |
540-937-7361 |
Farmington Elementary |
Melody Ford-Omer |
540-825-0713 |
Pearl Sample Elementary |
Jill Campbell |
540-825-5448 |
Sycamore Park Elementary |
Colleen Cunningham |
540-825-8847 |
Yowell Elementary |
Erica Lowe |
540-825-9484 |
Culpeper Middle School |
Chelsea Bradshaw |
540-825-4140 |
Floyd T. Binns Middle School |
Jeanette Calhoun |
540-829-6894 |
Culpeper County High School |
Alice Robinson |
540-825-8310 |
Eastern View High School |
Bonnie Estes |
540-825-0621 |