Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
(IDEA) that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities aged
birth to 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

Child Find is an ongoing cooperative effort that involves state and local education agencies,
parents, the community, professionals, related organizations, and private schools.

IDEA requires all states to have a “comprehensive Child Find system” to assure that all
children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located,
identified, and referred.

In Arkansas, the lead agency for Part C of IDEA Early Intervention Program
(children birth to 3 years) is the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The
lead agency for Part B/619 (children ages 3-21 years), is the Arkansas Department
of Education.