Child Find

What is Child Find?

North Kitsap School District's Childfind program is designed to identify and provide services for children with developmental disabilities in the district. The program serves children from birth to age 21 and includes screening and evaluation services that are free for families.

During the screening process, trained professionals use a variety of tools and assessments to evaluate a child's skills and abilities in areas such as growth, large muscle development, eye-hand coordination, communication, concepts, personal-social skills, and self-help skills. The screening is designed to be fun and engaging for the child, and following the screening, the professionals discuss the results with the parents and provide recommendations for next steps.

If the screening indicates that a child may have a developmental delay or disability, the Childfind program can refer the child for a more comprehensive evaluation by professionals who specialize in diagnosing developmental disabilities. The evaluation process is more in-depth than the screening and may take several hours or even days to complete.

Once a child has been identified with a developmental delay or disability, the Childfind program works to connect the child and their family with the services and support they need to succeed. This includes special education services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and specialized instruction.

The North Kitsap School District's Childfind program is committed to ensuring that every child in the district has access to the support they need to reach their full potential. If you are concerned about your child's development, contact the North Kitsap School District to learn more about the Childfind program and how it can help your family.

Child Find FAQ

What is Childfind?

Childfind is a federally mandated program that is designed to identify and locate children with disabilities and connect them with the services they need to succeed. The program serves children from birth to age 21 and includes screening and evaluation services that are free for families. The goal of Childfind is to ensure that every child has access to the support they need to reach their full potential. The program is available in all 50 states and is a critical part of the special education process.

What is the purpose of a Child Find Screening?

The purpose of a Child Find Screening is to identify children who may have developmental delays or disabilities, and connect them with the services and support they need to succeed. The screening is the first step in identifying children with disabilities, and it covers areas such as growth, large muscle development, eye-hand coordination, communication, concepts, personal-social skills, and self-help skills. The screening is conducted by trained professionals who use a variety of tools and assessments to evaluate a child's skills and abilities. By identifying children with developmental delays or disabilities early on, the Child Find program can help ensure that these children have the best possible outcomes in life.

What happens during a Child Find Screening?

During a Child Find Screening, a child is evaluated by trained professionals who use a variety of tools and assessments to evaluate the child's skills and abilities. The screening covers areas such as growth, large muscle development, eye-hand coordination, communication, concepts, personal-social skills, and self-help skills. The screening process is designed to be easy and stress-free for the child and family. The child may be asked to perform various tasks and activities like stacking small blocks, cutting with scissors, drawing, counting, naming colors, and jumping. The professionals conducting the screening will interact with the child and make the process fun and engaging. Following the screening, the professionals will discuss the results with the parents and provide recommendations for next steps. These recommendations may include further testing or services, depending on the child's needs. The goal of the Child Find Screening is to identify children who may have developmental delays or disabilities, and provide them with the support and services they need to succeed.

Who is eligible to be screened?

Child Find screenings are available to any child from birth to age five whose family or caregivers would like more information about their child's development. All school districts within Washington State offer Child Find screenings. Families living in a temporary situation can contact the school district where they are currently staying to attend a screening. The goal of Child Find is to ensure that every child has access to the support they need to reach their full potential.

Where can I go for Screening?

Parents residing in the North Kitsap School District can schedule a monthly Childfind screening appointment for their child.

For families in the Hilder Pearson Elementary and Poulsbo Elementary *attendance boundaries, please call Erica Harris at 360-396-3509.
For families in the Vinland Elementary and David Wolfle Elemenetary *attendance boundaries, please call Emily Santiago at 360-396-3618.
For families in the Richard Gordon Elementary and Suquamish Elementary *attendance boundaries, please call Donald Harris at 360-396-3869.

* Link to School Attendance Boundaries

For children under the age of 3, parents can contact Holly Ridge Center at (360) 373-2536 to inquire about assessment and services. The Childfind program is committed to providing families with the support and services they need to ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to succeed.