Child Find is a special education service provided by the Baltimore County Public School System for identifying children from ages three through twenty-one who are suspected of having an educational disability and who may be eligible for special education and related services.

Child Find referrals are made by calling 410-887-3017.

What is the Process?

• It begins with a review or screening of available information about the child.
• When screening indicates the possibility of an educational disability, the child is evaluated in relevant areas.
• When results indicate that a child is disabled and in need of special education services, an individualized plan is developed. This will be either an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Service Plan, depending on the age and residency of the child.

What is included in the definition of educational disability?

Federal and state laws identify specific disabling conditions that entitle a child to special education service if it is determined that the disability is interfering with the child’s learning.

These conditions, called educational disabilities, include:       

	Autism	Orthopedic Impairment
	Deafness	Other Health Impairment
	Deaf/Blindness	Specific Learning Disability
	Developmental Delay	Speech or Language Impairment
	Emotional Disturbance	Traumatic Brain Injury
	Hearing Impairment	Visual Impairment (including blindness)
	Intellectual Disability	Developmental Delay
	Multiple Disabilities

View definitions

Who is eligible for Child Find services?

• Preschool children residing in Baltimore County who are not enrolled in a preschool program.
• Children ages 3-21 attending an MSDE approved private/parochial school located in Baltimore County, regardless of residency.

How do I access these services?

• Preschool children residing in Baltimore County who are not enrolled in a preschool program may be referred directly to Child Find by calling 410-887-3017.
• Children enrolled in Baltimore County Public Schools who are suspected of having a disability, and may be in need of special education are referred directly for screening by contacting the local school.
• Children ages 3-21 enrolled in an MSDE approved private/parochial school located in Baltimore County may be referred to Child Find by calling 410-887-3017.
• Children, who are not yet three, may be referred to the Infants and Toddlers program by calling 410-887-2169.

Who may refer a child?

• Most referrals are made directly by a child’s parents.
• Referrals (with parental consent) are made by health care providers, social workers, child care providers, and other individuals familiar with the child’s development.

What is the cost?

• Screening services are available at no charge to eligible children.
• Assessments, evaluations, and all special education services which are determined to be necessary are provided free of charge.

What services are available?

• Services for eligible preschool children, who are also Baltimore County residents, may include classroom instruction, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and audiological services.
• Services for eligible preschool children who are NOT Baltimore County residents are subject to the current Notice of Services for parentally placed private/parochial students.
• Services for all eligible children in grades K-12 are subject to the current Notice of Services for parentally placed private/parochial students.

Additional Resources

 

Building IEPs with Maryland Families

http://www.marylandlearninglinks.org/

http://www.mdecgateway.org/

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/

 

 

Preschool transition resources

 

Let’s Go to Preschool: PT, OT, and Speech

Let's Go to Preschool: Riding the Bus

IEP Meeting

Private/Parochial Schools

What do I do if my child attends an MSDE approved private/parochial school in another school district?

Parent(s) should contact the Child Find office in that school district:

Anne Arundel County 410-766-6662

Baltimore City 443-984-1011

Carroll County 410-751-3033

Harford County 410-683-3814

Howard County 410-313-7046

Additional questions, please contact:

Connie Dean, Coordinator, Placement and Birth-to-Five
Paula Boykin, Supervisor, Birth-to-Five
Christel Marsh, Specialist, Child Find and Preschool
Baltimore County Public Schools
410-887-3017