NAVIGATING EARLY CHILDHOOD DISABILITY SERVICES
NAVIGATING EARLY CHILDHOOD DISABILITY SERVICES
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Know Your Rights | Child Find | Complaints Process
Know Your Rights | Child Find | Complaints Process
Know Your Rights:
Know the process. Get support early.
You are your child’s best advocate. Keep written records, ask questions, and never hesitate to seek support. Whether your child is just learning to walk or preparing for kindergarten, early support leads to lifelong success.
Suspect Delay?
States are legally obligated to evaluate children under the age of 5 if a disability is suspected, regardless of whether the child is enrolled in a public program. This includes children in private preschools, daycares, or home settings.
IDEA:
Part C: Early Intervention (Birth to Age 3)
Part B: Preschool and School-Aged Services (Ages 3–21)
Understanding Your Child’s Rights
Understanding Your Child’s Rights
Raising a child with a disability brings unique joys, challenges—and powerful legal protections. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees that every child, regardless of ability, has the right to a free appropriate public education
(FAPE). This includes support starting at birth through age 21. Whether your child needs early developmental support or specialized classroom services, IDEA ensures access to evaluations, services, and individualized plans tailored to their needs. This guide focuses on Part B, Part C, and the Child Find mandate—tools designed to help your child grow, learn, and thrive from the very start.
Dispute? Here’s The Chain of Command:
The chain of command for resolving disputes or concerns is as follows:
Local Level (Start Here):
Contact your child’s school district or early intervention program.
State Level:
If issues aren’t resolved locally, contact your State Education Agency (SEA) or Part C Lead Agency.
Every state must have a dispute resolution process, including mediation and due process hearings.
Federal Level:
Unresolved issues can be escalated to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Civil Rights Complaints:
If you believe your child has experienced discrimination or a civil rights violation, file through HHS Office of Civil Rights
Child Find
Did you know that states and local education agencies (LEAs) are required to actively identify, locate, and evaluate children who may have disabilities? This obligation applies regardless of a child's enrollment status and includes:
Children who are homeless or in foster care.
Highly mobile children, including migrant children.
Children attending private schools.
If you suspect your child has a delay or disability, you have the right to request a free evaluation through your local school district or early intervention program.
Additional Resources:
Find Your Parent Training & Information Center
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