What is Project Child Find?
An effort coordinated by our local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:

• Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.

• Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.

Who Are the Children?
Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.

What Help is Available?

• A complete evaluation and, if appropriate, 

• An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three,

• An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability birth through 2, or

• A referral to other agencies when needed.

Lee County Schools employees and staff are responsible for ensuring that the district identifies, locates, and evaluates all children residing in our district with disabilities who may be in need of special education and related services. This includes all children ages 3 to 21 who:

• attend public or private schools;

• are home schooled; and/or

• are homeless or wards of the state.

Child find activities implemented in Lee County Schools include screening and general education intervention.  

Preschool (ages 3-5) Screening Process

A screening process, which may lead to a more comprehensive assessment for children ages 3 through 5, is provided through the system's Preschool Exceptional Children Department, which is located at Floyd L, Knight Children's Center 607 W. McIntosh Street, Sanford NC.  Please contact Imely Taul Preschool Director at imelytaul@lee.k12.nc.us or Phone: (919) 774-4634 x 5340.

School-Age (ages 5-21) Intervention Process

A general education intervention process for children in kindergarten through grade 12 is provided at each school site by the school's Student Support Team (SST). These teams work on behalf of children who are experiencing academic, behavioral/emotional, functional, or medical concerns that may be significantly impacting their access to the general education curriculum or school activities. These teams work with families and school staff to develop plans that support students' needs so that they can be successful in the general education curriculum and school setting. While working with students, the teams collect data which is then used to determine if a student may need to be referred for a comprehensive evaluation. Parents must be provided with notice of their child's referral to the Student Support Team (SST).

For further information regarding Child Find or if you suspect your child may have a disability and need special education and/or related services, please contact Rachel Hurt, EC Director, at (919) 774-6226 ext. 7244 rhurt@lee.k12.nc.us or Jane Patterson, Program Specialist, at (919) 774-6226 ext. 7210.

Informational Links

Child Find from NC Department of Public Instruction

Child Find Poster

Click here for the Office of Early Learning

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Lee County Schools proposes for Federal funding for the 2025-2026 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the week of May 4th thru May 8th, 2026 in the office of Rachel Hurt , EC Director, located at 106 Gordon Street, Sanford NC 27330.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

NC Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children Division

Parent Rights Handbook - English  

Parent Rights Handbook - Spanish

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center

NC Policy on Governing Students with Disabilities

U.S. Department of Education: IDEA

Polices Governing Services for Children with Disabilities

Dispute Resolution