Child Find

What is Child Find?

In accordance with Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (2010), each local school division shall maintain an active and continuing child find program designed to identify, locate, and evaluate those children residing in the jurisdiction who are birth to age 21, inclusive, who are in need of special education and related services (34 FR 300.102 and 34 300.111).

Who do I contact if I’m concerned about my child?

If you have questions or comments about Special Education in Henry County Public Schools or are concerned about your child, call Emily Taylor, Director of Special Education and Related Services, at (276) 634-4700.

Tell me more about Child Find.

Virginia Law states that local school divisions must identify and evaluate
children and youth ages birth through 21 years who may be disabled and need related services. If eligible, disabled children ages 2 through 21 years must be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). 

Children with disabilities may be classified as having: Autism, a Developmental Delay, a Hearing Impairment, Deaf/Blind, a Speech or Language Impairment, an Intellectual Disability, an Emotional Disability, a Specific Learning Disability, an Orthopedic Impairment, a Visual Impairment, an Other Health Impairment, and a Traumatic Brain Injury. Henry County Public Schools have many programs available to meet the individual and varied needs of students with disabilities.

How is it Determined that a Child May Need Special Education?

Before a student can receive special education services, a comprehensive evaluation must be conducted.
Whenever a child is having a school-related problem, and prior to any
individual testing, the parent is notified and written permission is obtained.

Information from the comprehensive evaluation is discussed at a special meeting with the school staff and the child’s parents to determine if the child has a disabling condition that adversely affects educational performance and requires specialized instruction.