Child Find Processes

Child Find is a federally funded program in the State of Delaware that identifies students for special education services. The BSD Child Find team screens, evaluates, and recommends specific services for preschool and school-aged children. Child Find screening happens differently for school-aged students than it does for younger children. However, both processes are important because they align students with the services they need as soon as possible so that they can best succeed in school.

Students who are already enrolled and attending one of Brandywine School District's schools are screened, evaluated, and determined eligible for services (as applicable) through Child Find processes within their home building. More information can be found in the links below. Additionally, the links below will take you to more information about the services provided by BSD for preschool-age children and students who attend private, parochial, or home schools within the boundaries of the Brandywine School District.

For Pre-School Age Students

You know your child better than anyone. As your little one grows and changes, you may wonder if they are progressing typically for children their age. The CDC has produced a checklist of developmental milestones that you can use as a reference. Parents of preschool-aged children may contact Sabrina Crews or Donna Barrick with questions or concerns about their child's development. If it turns out they need it, your child can be evaluated by BSD professionals in communication, motor skills, cognition, self-help, and personal/social skills. BSD offers ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) screenings, evaluations, and educational services to any family living in the Brandywine School District boundaries.

Screenings

BSD uses the ASQ Portal to offer these free developmental screenings to families, preschools, daycare centers, and Head Starts. These screenings help find out if a child has a potential delay compared to other kids their age. The ASQ asks the family and caregivers questions about a child's development. This screening is a snapshot of your child's current development and is used to determine if the child is meeting developmental milestones, or tasks that most children can do by a certain age. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommend that children are screened at the ages of 9, 18, 24 or 30, 36, and 48 months. If your child is experiencing delays, it is important to get them services as soon as possible. Research demonstrates that the sooner a child receives help, the better his or her chances are of developing age-appropriate skills and not needing special education services later in life

In BSD, each family that completes the online ASQ will receive:

The screening results.
A packet explaining developmental milestones.
A packet describing developmentally appropriate activities for home.

Once the completed ASQ is scored, families are contacted with results and asked to help professionals plan the next steps to help their child. The child may stay in his or her existing program with check-ins by professionals or the child might be evaluated to receive special education services.

Evaluations

Families, daycare providers, preschool teachers, or others working with young children may contact Sabrina Crews or Donna Barrick to refer a child for a developmental evaluation. This will help determine if the child is eligible for any special education supports or services before they enter kindergarten.

Services

Services are provided in a number of ways depending on the needs of the child. Some children receive services within the home. Some receive services in their current daycare or preschool, and some receive services on-site in one of BSD's Early Education Programs.

Children Under Age 3

If your child is younger than three years old and you have concerns about their development in the areas listed above, please contact Child Development Watch at 302-283-7140.

For School-Age Students Enrolled in BSD

For Students in Private Schools or Home Schools

If your child attends a non-public (private, parochial, homeschooled) school located within the Brandywine School District, your child may qualify for special education services provided by BSD. If your child is having academic, behavioral, and/or speech difficulties, you may request an evaluation. A screening meeting will be held to determine if there is suspicion that your child has a disability that requires special education. If assessments are warranted, your child will be evaluated with your permission, at no cost to you, to determine if they are eligible. Please call 793-5063 to request a meeting.

Once the evaluation is completed, you will attend a meeting to discuss your child's case and determine if they are eligible to receive special education services. If eligible for special education, BSD may provide limited services. These services are provided through a Services Plan. More information on what BSD provides can be found in the letter Services Available to Students in Parentally Placed Private Schools located within the Boundaries of Brandywine School District and Students who are Homeschooled. If your child is eligible for other services, they are provided through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) available at a Brandywine School District school. In order to receive those services, your child needs to be enrolled in a BSD public school.

If you reside within the Brandywine School District but your child attends a private or parochial school located in another school district, please contact that district for help with the evaluation process. The local public school district in which the private school resides is responsible for conducting the Child Find process, even if you reside in the Brandywine School District.

For more information about preschool Child Find, please contact Sabrina Crews or Donna Barrick at 302-792-3920 x502.

For more information about school-age (K-12) students enrolled in BSD, please contact your school's Special Education Coordinator.

For more information about school-age (K-12) Child Find for students in private schools or home schools within BSD, please contact Andrea Sisson via email or at 302-793-5063.

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