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Child Find Program - For Children who are Developing or Learning Differently

For Elementary and Middle School Students

If you are concerned that your child is developing or learning differently, please call Dorothea Fernandez, Director, Pupil Services, at 732-751-2480 Ext. 3805.

What Will Happen When You Call

You will be referred to personnel from the appropriate school who will consult with you and answer any questions you may have. If appropriate, your child’s teacher will be contacted and a conference may be scheduled to discuss the matter. Your child may receive services through the Response to Intervention (RTI) process, which may include interventions in the classroom and support/instruction from other relevant specialists. You also have the right to request an evaluation for special education and related services by sending a written request for an evaluation to your child’s principal. Include your child’s name, age, address and area of suspected or known disability. After receiving your written request, the district’s child study team has twenty days to have a meeting with you, the parent(s). At this meeting, you and the team will decide if an evaluation is needed and what the evaluation will include. If you have not already utilized the services of the I&RS committee, the child study team may defer to this process before conducting a formal evaluation. The ultimate goal of this referral process is to ensure that your child is given every opportunity to have a successful learning experience in his/her school.

For additional information regarding the “Identification, Location and Referral” of Special Education Students, please refer to the district’s policies and regulations on our website at http://www.howell.k12.nj.us.

Please Note: This information applies to all Howell Township residents, including migrant and homeless families.

For Preschool Age Children

Preschool Disabled Assessments will be conducted to determine eligibility for the Howell Township Schools' Preschool Disabled Program. Children are eligible who exhibit delays in:

  • Cognitive Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Emotional/Behavioral Problems
  • Children Who Have Physical Handicaps
 

Age Requirement:

  • Three- and Four-Year-Olds
  • Children Who Will Be Five Years Old After October 1, 2020
 
Children are eligible to attend the Preschool Program when they reach they reach the age of 3 years. Testing begins three months before a child's third birthday.
 
Cost:
  • Free: To all Howell residents who qualify interested parents/guardians can call the Child Study Team at 
    732-751-2489 Ext. 4071 between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:00 pm to identify your child as a Preschool Candidate.
 
For Preschool Age Children (Spanish and Russian Translation below)
 

Additional Resources: