DMV Resource: Educational Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities
Maryland Child Find is a crucial service established by the state to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities. This program is designed to ensure that children from birth to age 21 receive the necessary support and services to thrive in their educational environments. Here's an overview of what Maryland Child Find offers and how it can benefit families.
What is Maryland Child Find?
Child Find is a free service provided by the state of Maryland to identify children who may have disabilities and ensure they receive appropriate educational services. The program is available at no cost to families and aims to support children from birth through age 21.
Who is Eligible?
Maryland Child Find serves children in different age groups, each with specific processes and services:
Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Age 2): Families with concerns about their child's development can contact the Infants and Toddlers Program for an evaluation.
Preschool Children (Ages 3 to 5): If you suspect your child may have a developmental, social, or emotional delay that could impact their education, you can refer them for evaluation by the Child Find Team.
School-Aged Children (Ages 5 to 21): For children enrolled in public or private schools, parents can contact their local school or the Child Find Office to initiate the evaluation process.
How to Initiate Child Find Services
To begin the Child Find process, families should follow these steps based on their child's age group:
Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Age 2):
Contact the local Infants and Toddlers Program for an evaluation.
The program provides early intervention services to support developmental needs.
Preschool Children (Ages 3 to 5):
Fill out the Child Find Referral Form available on the local school district's website.
The Preschool Child Find Team, which includes professionals such as educational diagnosticians, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, and nurses, will evaluate the child.
School-Aged Children (Ages 5 to 21):
For children attending public schools, contact the school for which your child is zoned.
For children attending private or religiously affiliated schools, contact the Child Find Office directly.
Benefits of Child Find
Child Find offers numerous benefits to families and children, including:
Early Identification: Detecting developmental delays or disabilities early can lead to timely interventions that significantly improve a child's educational outcomes.
Comprehensive Evaluations: The interdisciplinary teams conduct thorough evaluations to understand each child's unique needs.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Based on the evaluation, eligible children receive IEPs tailored to their specific needs, ensuring they receive appropriate support and services.
Parental Involvement: Parents are integral members of the evaluation and planning process, ensuring their insights and concerns are addressed.
Contact Information
For more information or to initiate the Child Find process, families can contact their local school district's Child Find Office. Here are a few examples:
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Child Find Office:
Phone: (410) 313-7046
Email: ChildFind@hcpss.org
HCPSS Child Find Website
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Child Find Office:
Phone: (240) 740-3855
Email: AnnaESzilagyi-Weichbrod@mcpsmd.org
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) Child Find Office:
Phone: (301) 618-8355
Email: sped.childfindoffice@pgcps.org
PGCPS Child Find Website
Forms and Resources
To access the necessary forms for initiating the Child Find process, you can visit the following links:
Howard County Child Find Referral Form
Prince George's County Child Find Referral Form
Conclusion
Maryland Child Find is an invaluable resource for families with children who may have disabilities. By providing early identification, comprehensive evaluations, and individualized support, Child Find helps ensure that all children have the opportunity to succeed in their educational journeys. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to reach out to your local Child Find Office for assistance.
I hope this blog post provides a clear and comprehensive overview of Maryland Child Find. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to ask!