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What is Child Find?

Child Find is an affirmative requirement. The purpose of Child FInd is to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services residing in Rome City Schools jurisdiction, including homeless children, migrant children, children who are wards of the State, and children in private schools. Rome City Schools serves children ages 3 through 21 with identified special education needs.

Disability categories are: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deafblind, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Significant Developmental Delay, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment.

How does Rome City Schools conduct Child Find activities?

Rome City Schools completes Child Find responsibilities in a variety of ways. Rome City includes public announcements through local media, meetings with private and home-school representatives, and through collaboration with other public agencies such as the Divisions of Mental Health, Family and Children’s Services, local pediatricians, parent requests, and daycares.

Preschool Children Procedures: 

If you are aware of a preschooler, from 3 to 5 years old, who has or may have a disability and is or may be in need of special education services, call the Department of Exceptional Student Services at 706-236-5067. 

Parent Requests Procedures:

If you suspect your child has a disability and is need of special education services, please contact the school and express your concerns to the child's teacher and/or school administrator or contact the Director of Special Education, Dr. Lashonda Flanders at lashonda.flanders@rcs.rome.ga.us. 

Private and Home School Child Find Procedures:

Child find applies to children with disabilities parentally-placed in private schools or home schools. They are not entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), but the district will provide services based on a proportionate share of federal funds. If a child is suspected of having a disability that is parentally-placed in a private school or home school and needs evaluation for special education and eligibility consideration, please contact the Department of Exceptional Student Services at 706-236-5067.

School Age Children Procedures:

If a child is already enrolled in Rome City Schools (K-12) is suspected of having a disability and in need of special education services, please contact the school and express the concerns to the child's teacher and/or school administrator. 

How can children be referred? 

A referral may be made by anyone who has a concern about a child's development. All referrals are considered confidential. The parent retains the right to refuse services. Children may be referred by any of the following:

• Parents/legal guardians/foster parents

• Other family members

• Physicians/health care providers

• Preschool programs

• School system personnel

• Community agencies

• Private school personnel

• Others who are concerned about a child's development. To make a referral follow the procedures indicated above based on the referral request.