- Stafford County Public Schools
- About Our Department
About
-
Child Find is an ongoing process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children ages birth through twenty-one who may have developmental delays or disabilities, who are in need of special education and related services. All children identified with developmental delays or a specific disability are entitled to a free, appropriate public education designed to meet his/her needs. Stafford County Public School engages in a public awareness campaign in order to identify all children who may be suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. This includes students enrolled in private schools, who are home-schooled, who are highly mobile, migrant, or homeless, or who will be incarcerated in a regional or local jail for more than ten days. Referrals for special education can be made by anyone concerned with a child’s educational performance, including a parent, child’s teacher, community agency, or school official.
Contact Us
-
-
Rebecca Carswell
Child Find Coordinator
📞 (540) 899-6000
📧 rcarswell@staffordschools.netGari Melchers Complex
610 Gayle Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
-
Ages
-
Children ages birth through 36 months
Stafford Schools has an ongoing relationship with Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) Early Intervention Services. Visit the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board Early Intervention Services (RACSB) website for more information. Parents, providers, or medical providers who have concerns regarding a child in this age range should contact RACSB or call 540-372-3561 for information regarding a referral.
-
Children ages two through four
If a parent has concerns regarding their child ages two through four as of September 30 of the current school year they should call 540-899-6000 or email rcarswell@staffordschools.net. Upon contact, information will be provided regarding interventions, workshops, screening, and evaluations.
-
Children ages five through 21
Contact the principal at your neighborhood school. Find your attendance zone.
Developmental Screening
-
What is developmental screening?
A developmental screening, for children ages 2-4 years old by Sept 30 of the current year, is a brief test to determine if a child is functioning at the level he or she should for their age in the different areas of development such as personal/social skills, adaptive/self-help skills, motor skills, communication skills and cognitive/thinking skills. The results of a developmental screening are helpful to the Child Find team to make a recommendation as to whether or not more specific testing needs to occur.
-
Who does the screening?
The screening is completed by an early childhood special education professional. This person has special training in working with young children who have special needs.
-
What will my child have to do?
For the most part, the teacher will be engaging your child in different activities. Some of the skills the teacher will be looking for include how well your child listens and follows directions, how well your child can talk (this may include how well your child pronounces certain sounds), how your child moves, how your child works with their hands, matching skills, identifying colors, and answering simple questions. The teacher will also have to ask you questions about how your child relates to adults and other children. Questions will also be asked to see how your child is progressing in the area of self-help skills. The specific skills and questions will depend on the age of your child.
-
How long will the screening take?
The screening usually lasts approximately one hour. However, it depends on how comfortable your child may feel with the teacher. Part of this time is also used to share the results of the screening and to let you know how your child is doing.
-
Where do I bring my child?
Gari Melchers Complex
610 Gayle Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405 -
What happens next?
This depends on how your child does on the screening. If your child did well and appears to be developing appropriately, there is not a need to recommend any additional testing. If concerns and delays are noted, you will be asked to attend another meeting in the near future to discuss the delays and the concerns that you have regarding your child. This meeting is referred to as a Student Education Committee (SEC) meeting. The SEC will review the information and the concerns you have about your child. The committee may decide to provide you with suggestions and activities to assist you in enhancing your child's skills. The SEC may recommend that more specific testing needs to be completed to determine if the child has a disability and is in need of special education. The parent is involved in helping to make these decisions.
