Cherokee Schools Announce Annual Child Find Efforts

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County School District is rolling out its efforts to identify students who may be suffering from a disability and get them the services needed to complete their education. The Child Find initiative works to identify, locate and evaluate children and youth who are suspected of having or have a diagnosed disability or developmental delay to provide free, appropriate Special Education services.

The Cherokee County School District serves children from 3 years through 21 years of age (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

How can children be referred?

The referral process must be initiated by the parent. Please direct the parents of children suspected of having a disability to CCSD (770) 479-1784.

When should a child be referred to Child Find?

A child should be referred when:

• A health or medical disorder interferes with development and or learning.
• A child seems to have difficulty seeing or hearing.
• A child appears to have social, emotional or behavioral difficulties that affect his/her ability to learn.
• A child has a diagnosed progressive or degenerative condition that will eventually impair or impede the child’s ability to learn.
• A child seems to have difficulty understanding directions like others that are his/her age.
• A child’s speech is not understandable to family or friends.
• A child has difficulty with reading, math, or other school subjects.

What is Special Education and who is eligible for services?

Special Education is instruction designed to meet the unique learning strengths and needs of individual students with disabilities from ages three through 21. A child must be evaluated and identified as having a disability to be eligible for Special Education and/or related services. Disability categories are: speech/language impairment, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, visual impairment, hearing impairment, orthopedic impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and other health impairments.

For more information about Child Find, call the Cherokee County School District at (770) 704-4315.

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