Child Find Phone Contact-John Dassie           |   561-434-8287

Step 1: Requesting an Evaluation

• All children suspected of having a disability can be evaluated by the school district where their school is located to determine if they are eligible for special education services. The district must perform a “full and individual” evaluation at no cost to the parents. The evaluation should be comprehensive enough to identify all areas of disability.
• Students must be referred by their parents and parents should highlight their specific concerns in all areas of development including academic, functional, behavioral, and social and emotional areas. Teachers’ concerns should also be detailed in the request for an evaluation.

• Parents should reach out to their district contact:
  • Palm Beach County-John Dassie           |   561-434-8287
    Kimberly Whalen   |   kimberley.whalen@palmbeachschools.org
• After reaching out the district has 30 days to decide whether to perform the evaluation and obtain parental consent. If the district refuses to evaluate the student, they must provide a written notice of refusal within the 30-day timeline.
  • Helpful tip- parents must hold the district accountable for meeting this 30-day timeline. The child find clock does not start until after this 30-day period.

Step 2: Fill out the Proper Forms 

For Grades k-12

• Complete the attached Teach Florida Release Fom here 
• Complete the PBCS Release of Information Form here
• Complete the attached PBCS Request for Services Form here 
• Complete the attached PBCS Registration Form here 
• Send all documents and a copy of your driver’s license and child’s birth certificate to Kimberley Whalen at kimberley.whalen@palmbeachschools.org, John Dassie at john.dassie@palmbeachschools.org, and cc Teach Florida at walkerk@teachcoalition.org

For Ages 3-5

• Complete the attached Teach Florida Release Form here
• Complete the attached PBCS Child Find Referral Form here
• Send both documents to childfindreferrals@palmbeachschools.org and cc Teach Florida at Walkerk@teachcoalition.org

Step 3: Evaluation

• Parents should provide any medical records and academic data available to the school district and share any of their concerns with the district in writing.
• Although Florida law requires data-based interventions for public school students suspected of having a disability, these interventions are not required for private school students.
• Parents should reach out to the support services director at their child’s school for support in completing the paperwork.

Step 4: Eligibility Determination Meeting and Developing the IEP

• Parents are an important part of the IEP team. Active participation and advocacy from parents is key to a successful outcome in these meetings.
• A private school staff member should attend whenever possible.

Step 5: Service plans

• Students who are found eligible by the district where their school is located and would like to receive services onsite at their private school will receive a service plan if they are designated to receive services during the consultation process.
• These services may be more limited than those provided on an IEP.