Search to Serve at WESD
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Search to Serve conducts Child Find activities in the WESD. The purpose of Child Find is to locate and evaluate children aged two years and nine months to five years old suspected of having a disability. If the disability impacts his/her learning or educational performance, special education and/or related services may be recommended. If you have or know a child who seems to have difficulty speaking or learning, help is available.
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Search to Serve is located atThe Service Center Annex1502 W. Mountain View Rd.Phoenix, AZ 85021Contact
602-347-4850
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Who May Refer My Child?
Children may be referred to SEARCH to Serve by any of the following:
- Parent(s) or Legal Guardian
- Other family members
- Physcians
- School personnel
- Community agencies
- Infant and toddler programs
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When Should a Child Be Referred?
- When the child may not be meeting developmental milestones
- When the child seems to have difficulties understanding simple directions
- When you or others outside the family do not understand the child's speech
- When a physical or medical disorder is interfering with the child's development
- When the child appears to have social or emotional difficulties that affect his/her ability to learn
- When the child seems to have problems seeing or hearing
Concerns may not be limited to the above. Any condition that impacts a child's ability to learn can be a basis for refferal.
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What Should be Expected at a Screening Appointment?
The parent/guardian will discuss the child's development with the special needs preschool team.
- The child is screened in the following areas of development:
- Communication skills
- Reasoning/thinking skills
- Self-help/adaptive skills
- Personal/social skills
- Motor skills
Staff will review the results with the parent/guardian to determine the next steps.
The following documentation is required:
- Proof of residence
- Child's birth certificate
- Child's immunization records
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The Process
Based on your child's screening results, a follow-up meeting to determine further evaluation or interventions may be recommended.
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Screening
- Team review of child's strengths and needs
- Determination of need for further evaluation
- Parental consent required for further evaluation
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Evaluation Appointment
- Evaluations are conducted in area(s) of suspected disability(ies)
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Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Team Meeting
- Team review of evaluations with parent/legal guardian
- Review eligibility criteria in area(s) of suspected disability(ies)
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Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Team review of student's strengths and needs with parent/guardian
- Develop annual goals for the child
- Discuss services
- Parent/guardian consent will be required to implement services
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WESD Special Needs Preschool Program
WESD offers a Special Needs Preschool Program designed for children identified through the Child Find Process. This program is:
- A free program intended for children 2.9 - 5 years old with an identified disability.
- For children who live within the Washington Elementary School District boundaries.
- Staffed with an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and one or more teaching assistants
- Designed with in-class therapies (speech, language, occupational and physical therapy) for two and a half hours a day, four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).
- A language rich, play based program that provides developmentally appropriate instruction guided by Arizona State Early Learning Standards.