Child Find

(August, 2019)

All Morris County School Districts offer educational programs and services for students ages 3 to 21 who are in need of special education services.  Parents or other appropriate persons may refer children who are experiencing significant difficulties to their local school district.

Beginning at age 3, children experiencing physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive, or social difficulties may be eligible for special education and related services.  Parents should contact their local district’s Child Study Team office for further information if they have concerns about their child’s development.  Children from birth to age 3, who are thought to have a developmental delay, may receive assistance from the Early Intervention Program.  To access this service, parents should contact Early Intervention at 1-888-653-4463 or Project Child Find at 1-800-322-8174.

If parents are concerned about their school-age child’s progress, they should discuss such issues with their child’s teacher, guidance counselor or principal.  Parents have the option of making a referral to the school’s Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Committee or to the Child Study Team (CST). The I&RS offers intervention procedures that are provided within the general education school program.  At times, however, more extensive interventions than can be provided in the general education setting are necessary to assist the student. If a child is determined to be eligible for special education and related services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed, which includes a rationale for the student’s educational placement and the basis for the program implementation.

For further assistance, please contact Dr. Jeanette Mahon Krone, Director of Student Services for the Chester School district at 908-879-6004, ext. 2.