Child Find Services

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.

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.

Contact the principal at your neighborhood school. Find your attendance zone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gari Melchers Complex
610 Gayle Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405

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.