Child Find Procedures

The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate all children, in Bulloch County, from birth through age 21, who are suspected of, or have a disability or developmental delay that may result in a need for special education and related services. Bulloch County Schools serves children ages 3 through 21 with identified special education needs. 

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Deafblind
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorder
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Significant Developmental Delay
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech/language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment.

Bulloch County Schools completes Child Find responsibilities in a variety of ways:

• Public announcements through local media
• Meetings with private and homeschool representatives
• Collaboration with public agencies (i.e. Georgia Department of Family and Children Services; Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) 
• Local pediatricians
• Parent and guardian requests
• Childcare centers 

If you have concerns about your child's development, and you are interested in learning more about our Preschool Intervention Program, we're here to help.

How the process works:

1. Initial Inquiry: If you are aware of a preschool child, from ages three to five-years-old, who has or may have a disability and is or may be in need of special education services, call Bulloch County Schools' Special Education Services Department at 912.212.8580.
2. Specialist Follow Up: A preschool specialist will contact you to gather more information and help determine next steps.
3. Referral Link Provided (if appropriate): If a referral is recommended, we will provide you with a secure link to begin the formal inquiry process.

We are committed to supporting families and ensuring every child receives the services they need to thrive.

If you suspect your child has a disability and is need of special education services, please contact the school and express your concerns to the child's teacher and/or a school administrator or contact Jeff Tysinger, Ph.D., the executive director of the Department of Special Education Services at 912.212.8580.

Child find applies to children with disabilities parentally-placed in private schools or home schools. They are not entitled to a free appropriate public education, but the school district will provide services based on a proportionate share of federal funds. If a child is who is suspected of having a disability is parentally-placed in a private school or home school and needs evaluation for special education and eligibility consideration, please contact the Department of Special Education Services at 912.212.8580.

If a child who is already enrolled in Bulloch County Schools (Grades K to 12) is suspected of having a disability and is in need of special education services, please contact the school and express the concerns to the child's teacher and/or a school administrator. 

A referral may be made by anyone who has a concern about a child's development. All referrals are considered confidential. The parent or guardian retains the right to refuse services.  A referral does not mean that a complete evaluation will be completed. Each case will be considered and all local education agency, state, and federal guidelines will be followed. Children may be referred by any of the following:

• Parents, legal guardians, or foster parents
• Other family members
• Physicians or health care providers
• Preschool programs
• School system personnel
• Community agencies
• Private school personnel
• Others who are concerned about a child's development. To make a referral follow the procedures indicated above based on the referral request.