Project ChildFind
What is Project Child Find?
An effort coordinated by our local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:
- Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.
- Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.
Who Are the Children?
Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.
What Help is Available?
- A complete evaluation and, if appropriate,
- An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three,
- An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability, from birth through age 2, or
- A referral to other agencies when needed.
Hoke County Schools (HCS) employees and staff are responsible for ensuring that the district identifies, locates, and evaluates all children residing in our district with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. This includes all children ages 3 to 21 who:
- attend public or private schools;
- are home-schooled; and/or
- are homeless or wards of the state.
Child find activities implemented in HCS include screening and general education intervention.
Preschool (ages 3-5) Screening Process
A screening process, which may lead to a more comprehensive assessment for children ages 3 through 5, is provided through the system's Preschool Exceptional Children's Department, which is located in the Exceptional Children’s PreK Building at 116 W. 5th Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376.
Please contact Diana Griffith-Smalls, EC Preschool Program Specialist at diana.griffithsmall@hcs.k12.nc.us or (910) 875-8009.
Learn about the school’s legal obligation to identify all children living within their district who need special education – an obligation known as “Child Find” – and how you can request that the school evaluate your child for an IEP.
