FDLRS PAEC

Serving Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton and Washington Counties.

Child Find

Overview of Services:

FDLRS Child Find assists in the location, identification, evaluation and initiation of appropriate education or other needed services for children and youth, three through five years of age who have, or are at risk of developing, special or unique needs and are not enrolled in public school. FDLRS supports the following activities to support early childhood education:

  • Support transition at age three and implementation of the statewide system to measure child outcomes through facilitating collaboration among school districts, the Early Steps program, the Technical Assistance and Training System (TATS) for programs serving prekindergarten children with disabilities, and other early education and care programs in the community.

    • Provide developmental screenings to identify children three to five years of age who are at-risk or may qualify for services related to exceptional student education using the Children’s Registry and Information System (CHRIS) to document screenings, referrals for evaluations, evaluation outcomes, placement decisions, and transition from the Early Steps program to prekindergarten programs for children with disabilities at age three.

    • Support awareness of materials and provide/facilitate training opportunities related to child development and developmentally appropriate practices.

    • Locate children attending nonpublic schools needing exceptional student education.

Child Find, in coordination with the school districts, assists in the identification of children who may need special services or early intervention. These children may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and links them with needed services.

For Children Ages Birth to 36 Months:

Children ages birth to 36 months are referred to the statewide Early Steps Early Intervention Program.

To Request a Screening Appointment

FDLRS PAEC provides screenings to children 3- 5 years old, who have never attended public school. For children already enrolled in public school or over the age of 6, please contact the school district ESE office in your county of residence.

The parent/guardian may contact our Child Find office to schedule a screening appointment. Or Visit our Parent Help Desk and submit a ticket today.

If you are from an agency, please complete and return the Agency Referral Form

Documents

Web Links for Families:

Child Development

Special Education & Disabilities

Local School Districts

  • Bay County School Board
  • Calhoun County School Board
  • Franklin County School Board
  • Gulf County School Board
  • Holmes County School Board
  • Jackson County School Board
  • Liberty County School Board
  • Walton County School Board
  • Washington County School Board

Local VPK, School Readiness, and Head Start

Road through Child Find - Click to enlarge