Child Find

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), Child Find is the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) contains its own Child Find requirement that is similar, but not identical, to the child find requirement of the IDEA. Under Section 504, school districts must evaluate students who, because of handicap, need or are believed to need special education and/or related aids and services.

Olentangy Local Schools is committed to the location, identification, and provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (“FAPE”), for all children between the ages of 3 and 22, identified as children with disabilities. Location and referral of such children may be initiated by anyone with knowledge of the child and suspicion that the child may have a disability. Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, childcare providers, physicians and concerned citizens are encouraged to help school districts find any child, ages birth to age 21, who may have a disability and are in need of specialized support.

If you have concerns about a child’s ability or skills and suspect there may be a disability, please contact the child’s teacher, principal, or the Pupil Services office at (740) 657-4070.

Upon receipt of a referral for an evaluation to determine whether a child may have a disability under either the IDEA or Section 504, Olentangy Local Schools will contact the parents and/or legal guardian of the child to discuss the next steps in the evaluation and identification process. This process is provided at no cost to the family.

For more information about the IDEA and the education of children with disabilities, see A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education. For additional guidance, see the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities and related guidance located on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website.

For more information about Section 504 and the education of children with disabilities, see the Olentangy Local Schools' 504 Procedural Safeguards. For additional guidance, see Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities located on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.