What is Child Find?
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires school districts to locate, identify, and evaluate children ages three to twenty-one who have a suspected disability and may be in need of special education services. It is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screenings and evaluations to locate, identify, and refer children as early as possible. Caregivers who may have concerns about a child’s development in one or more of the following areas: vision and hearing, speech and language, cognitive, motor, adaptive, and social skills may contact the Child Find office for an appointment.
Who can participate in Child Find?
Children ages 2½ years and older who reside in Sumter County and are not enrolled in public school. Children who attend day care centers and private schools are also eligible to receive free screenings.
Why should I schedule a Child Find appointment for my child?
If you have concerns that your preschool child may be delayed in any of his/her developmental milestones or your school age child has difficulty with: math, reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, participating in classroom activities, speech and language and/or social behaviors. A Child Find screening will tell you if your child needs further testing to determine if they are eligible for special education services.
Child Facilitator
Danielle Gary
Sumter School District Annex
220 Hasel St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803)774-5500 Ext. 119