Project ChildFind: An important first step toward getting students the help they need

Public schools have a big responsibility. In addition to teaching roughly 19,000 kids in the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD), they must identify, locate, and evaluate any kids who need special education. Screenings to identify these students is an important first step toward getting them the help they need to thrive in school.

It’s not enough for public schools to look only at current students. They must also seek out kids in migrant families and those without homes, homeschooled or in charter schools.

All public K-12 schools have evaluation systems. In the (MSBSD), the screening process utilized is known as Project ChildFind, and has been an integral part of early screenings to identify any educational or physical needs that must be addressed to enable the child to fully benefit from an educational program.

“If you have a child that has developmental delays, we will screen them for free,” said Jillian Morrissey, the Chief Communication Officer at MSBSD.

Project ChildFind is not new, having been around for decades, and is part of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The purpose of the law is to serve the education needs of kids with disabilities. Each state and its public schools must have policies and procedures for finding children that may require additional support. They must also develop practical methods to identify which kids qualify for special education and related services.

“We have our related service providers here along with Special Education support to do the screenings, including PT/OT, Speech Language Pathologists all working with children to see if a child needs additional support, especially before they start school, which can make them eligible for preschool programs and other educational opportunities to start the school year,” she added.

Each program is staffed with an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and paraprofessionals. Students can receive the related services on their IEP on site (Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.) Special transportation is provided. All early childhood programs in the Mat-Su Borough School District use the Opening the World to Learning literacy curriculum, as well as Second Step, a social emotional curriculum.

All states have early intervention programs to serve infants and toddlers who haven’t started school. There are also referrals for kids in in foster care or juvenile justice who may need help.

The MSBSD works with other state agencies in the early identification process for children from birth-2 years old that may have a developmental delay.

Students ages 3-5 with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) can receive services in an Early Childhood Special Education Preschool. Other services are determined by the IEP team.

For the 2023-2024 school year, programs will be located at: Big Lake Elementary, Butte Elementary, Colony Middle School, Cottonwood Creek Elementary, Finger Lake Elementary, Goose Bay Elementary, Iditarod Elementary, Larson Elementary, Machetanz Elementary, Meadow Lakes Elementary, Palmer High School, Shaw Elementary, Tanaina Elementary, and Teeland Middle School.

The Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults Infant Learning Program will now be available for a screening at ChildFind.

If your child is not currently enrolled contact the department of Student Support Services at (907) 746-9222.

If you suspect that your child has a disability and requires special education services and your child is enrolled in a MSBSD school, please contact their teacher.