Child Find

If your child is school age (TK and up) and you have a concern about your child’s progress in school, please contact the principal at your child's public school of residence to discuss your concerns. As appropriate, your child may be referred to the Student Support Team (SST) to discuss concern(s), identify potential areas of need, and propose interventions, based on student needs. The SST includes representatives from general education, and may include special education representatives, who review student progress and suggest interventions and strategies to assist students within the general education program. The SST will develop an action plan to support your child’s educational progress. It is highly recommended an SST meet to review a student's progress prior to developing an assessment plan for suspected disabilities. 

Through the Child Find process, the Mid-Cities SELPA is committed to locating, identifying and evaluating students with disabilities ages 2-22 parentally placed in a private school. If you suspect your child or a student in your program has a disability, you may discuss the evaluation process with a district representative. Please contact your child's district Residence for assistance.

For students that are currently attending a private school, the responsibility to conduct Child Find belongs to the District of Residence (district where student lives), per an agreement between the Greater Los Angeles Area SELPAs.

A special education evaluation may be requested by choosing one of the following options. All requests for a special education evaluation must be in writing.  If you are unable to provide a written request, staff are available to assist you.

Resident Students

For students residing within Mid-Cities SELPA boundaries, written requests for initial or three-year special education evaluations are made to the  District of Residence.

Non-Resident Students

For students who reside outside Mid-Cities SELPA boundaries but attend a private school within Mid-Cities SELPA boundaries, written requests for initial or three-year special education evaluations are made to their District of Residence.

For school-age children and youth enrolled in a charter school, contact the child’s charter school of attendance.

If you have a concern about your child's development, and your child is younger than 2 years 10 months of age, please contact one of the Regional Centers:

Harbor Regional Center
Telephone: (310) 540-1711
Website: https://www.harborrc.org

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
Telephone: (213) 744-7000
Website: https://sclarc.org

If your child is preschool age (beginning at 2 years, 10 months) and you have a concern about your child's development, please contact LACOE Early Learning at 562-922-6111 and/or visit the Early Learning & Adult Education page for more information.

What is Child Find?
Child Find refers to the process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children and youth who may be eligible for special education services designed to meet their educational needs at no cost to families. Children and youth, ages birth to 22, living in the Mid-Cities SELPA, who are suspected of having a disability may be referred for a possible evaluation to determine if they are eligible for special education services. This includes children and youth who are experiencing homelessness, highly mobile, migrant, wards of the state and children and youth attending private schools, including homeschools, located within Mid-CitiesSELPA boundaries regardless of where they reside. All other children must live in the Mid-Cities SELPA attendance area.

What is a child with a disability?
The term "child with a disability" means a child evaluated as having one or more of the following: intellectual disability, hearing impairment (including deafness), speech or language impairment, visual impairment (including blindness), emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities, and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services (34 CFR§ 300.8).

Is there a cost for special education services?
All services provided by Local Education Agencies (school districts and charter schools) through IDEA 2004 (Part B) Special Education and Related Services (Part B) are provided at no cost to the individual or parents. This includes assessment.

Who can initiate the Child Find process?
Anyone can start the Child Find process, including but not limited to, a parent/guardian, teacher, doctor, relative or friend can call their local school district Child Find. If you are concerned about a child’s learning, contact your local school campus, district, or charter school.

What if my child attends a private school?
Parents or guardians may refer their child for assessment for special education services. Teachers, other school personnel, and community members may also refer a child for assessment; however, parental permission is required for assessment to commence. All requests for a special education evaluation must be in writing. If you are unable to provide a written request, staff are available to assist you.