The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a Child Find mandate (“Child Find”) which requires school districts to identify, locate, and evaluate children up to age 21 who may be disabled to determine the need for special education or other related services. This mandate applies to all children who reside within a State, including:

• Children who attend both public or private schools
• Highly mobile children
• Migrant children
• Children suffering from homelessness
• Children who are wards of the State

Children identified through the child find process must still be assessed to confirm eligibility for services.

Under Child Find, Sonoma Valley Unified School District (“SVUSD”) is required to have procedures in place to help locate students who may need special education services, and each public & private school within the District has information on how to initiate a referral for special education services. A student may be referred by parents, teachers, school staff, doctors, or others. 

• Children younger than 2 years and 10 months: If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact North Bay Regional Center at (707) 755-5113 for an intake interview.
• Preschool age children(3 to 5): **
• School age children (TK and up): If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact the school principal or teacher to discuss your concerns.
• Students parentally-placed in private schools located within the District: If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact your local neighborhood SVUSD school.
• Students parentally-placed in private schools located NOT within the District: If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact SVUSD’s Special Education Department at (707) 935-6004