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Child Find Process

children in class

Child Find is the federal requirement, established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, from birth through 21 years of age, who are in need, or may be in need, of special education and related services. Child find is an affirmative and ongoing process that includes public awareness activities, policies and procedures, and coordination with agencies and primary sources such as local physicians, local hospitals, public health department, early childcare centers, department of health and human services, child caring institutions, court-operated facilities, and county jails. The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) extend the child find obligation to all children and students with disabilities from birth through 25 years of age, who are in need, or may be in need, of special education and related services. 

For pre-school aged (Children 0-5 years of age) children whom you suspect MAY have a disability that requires specialized instruction, please complete this Early On/Build Up Referral Google form.


For school aged (individuals 6-25 years of age) children whom you suspect MAY have a disability that requires specialized instruction, please complete this referral form for Child Find.