The Cooke County Shared Services Arrangement ensures that all students with special needs are provided with an educational environment that supports their learning to become thriving, valued, and contributing members of our society. Students with special needs have opportunities to learn with others and to establish relationships with their peers.

What is Child Find?

Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) 2004 that requires States and Local Education Agencies (school districts and charter schools) to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing in the State, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services (34 CFR§ 300.111). Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening, and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities who are in need of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Programs (Part C) or Special Education and Related Services (Part B).

What is the purpose of Child Find?

Child Find can help facilitate the identification, location, and evaluation needed for any child who may or may not be in school, age birth through twenty-one, demonstrating a disability or developmental delay.

Early education can be critical for the future learning of these children.

Who can begin the Child Find process?

Anyone can start the process: a parent/guardian, doctor, teacher, relative, or friend can call their local school district or Cooke County SSA (940) 665-0773.

What services may be available through special education?

The Special Education department is responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating students with disabilities (birth through twenty-one years of age). Special education offers a wide range of instructional options through services designed to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. These options include specially designed instruction provided in a special education or regular education program with modification, special education support, supplementary aids, and other special arrangements. Each child’s individual need(s) will be addressed on an individualized basis by a team consisting of a district/campus representative, parent(s) or guardian, a person who can interpret evaluation, teacher(s), and the student (if appropriate). The team will review evaluation information, discuss eligibility, identify area(s) of need for specialized instruction, including related services, and develop a plan to fit the needs of the child.

How much do services cost?

All services provided by Local Education Agencies (school districts and charter schools) through IDEA 2004 (Part B) Special Education and Related Services (Part B) are at no cost to the individual or parents. Special Education Services are available to eligible infants, children, and young adults identified with a disability who may be experiencing difficulties in one or more of the following areas:

 · Auditory Impairment · Autism · Deaf-Blindness · Emotional Disturbance · Intellectual Disability · Other Health Impairment · Orthopedic Impairment · Specific Learning Disability · Speech/Language Impairment · Traumatic Brain Injury · Visual Impairment