Comprehensive Child Find Policy and Procedures

Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening, and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and refer all children with disabilities as early as possible. Child Find targets children ages birth through 2.8 years old in need of early intervention services (Part C); children ages 2.8 through 21 in need of special education and related services (Part B); and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 20 U.S.C. §§1400, et seq. (IDEA). Children must meet eligibility criteria according to the IDEA and state guidelines to receive services. The IDEA requires all states and the District of Columbia to have a “comprehensive Child Find system” to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified and referred. 

Proposed Child Find Policy

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all states to issue a comprehensive child find policy and procedures to ensure all children with disabilities who are in need of early intervention services and special education and related services are identified, located and evaluated.

Comprehensive Child Find System Policy*

Public Comment Period

Persons wishing to comment on this policy should submit their comments in writing to Tameria Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, 51 N Street, NE 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20002
Attention: Desirée Brown. Emailed comments should be forwarded to the following address: osse.publiccomment@dc.gov or faxed comments should be forwarded to (202) 741-0227. 

The public comment period starts September 3, 2009 and concludes October 14, 2009.

Hearing Notice

The OSSE will be conducting two (2) public hearings regarding the proposed Part C Regulations and the proposed Comprehensive Child Find Policy Thursday, October 8, 2009 and Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

For details regarding the upcoming hearings please view the following Public Hearing Notice*.

OSSE Contact

To speak with someone directly regarding the proposed regulations please contact:

Tammie Picklesimer, Director of Special Education Policy Development
Department of Special Education
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
51 N Street, NE – 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 741-0479
Office: (202) 481-3870
Cell: (202) 615-9667
Fax:(202) 741-0229
tammie.picklesimer@dc.gov
osse.dc.gov