Lamar Galindo, Director of Special Programs Director of Special Programs: Lamar Galindo Secretary: Clarissa Escobar Phone: 361.528.2636 Ext. 2244 Our goal at Taft ISD is to provide students with disabilities valuable educational experiences that prepare them for the future. Each student with a disability has the opportunity to participate in appropriate educational settings and or extra-curricular activities as per their individual needs. We value communication so please contact us or your child’s school campus administration for any questions or concerns. Child Find: What is Child Find?
Child Find is a process designed to identify, locate, and evaluate individuals (birth through 21 years of age) with disabilities who may need special education and related services.
Are there any costs involved?
No, Taft ISD provides free evaluations and appropriate educational programs and related services for student with disabilities.
Referral for an Initial Evaluation
A school has a duty to make a referral for an initial evaluation for special education services any time it suspects that a child has a disability and a need for special education services under IDEA. You may also initiate a referral for an initial evaluation of your child at any time.
If you make a written request to a local educational agency’s director of special education services or to a district administrative employee for an initial evaluation for special education services, the school must, not later than the 15th school day after the date the school receives the request, either give you: 1) prior written notice of its proposal to conduct an evaluation, a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards, and the opportunity to give written consent for the evaluation; or 2) prior written notice of its refusal to evaluate your child and a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards.
Who can make a referral?
Anyone can start the process: A parent, doctor, teacher, child care provider, relative, friend, or others who are concerned about a child’s development can call their local school district Child Find contact or their regional Education Service Center.
Who to contact?
For children from birth to 3 years of age who have or might have disabilities or developmental delays contact ECI – Infant Development Program at (361) 364-9131 for information.
For children 3 to 5 years of age who have or might have disabilities but are not enrolled in the public school contact Taft ISD Special Education Department at (361) 528-2636 for information.
For children that are attending Taft ISD who have or might have disabilities contact the child’s counselor and request a meeting.
Links of Interest: ARDGuide ARDGuide Spanish Procedural Safeguards Procedural Safeguards (Spanish) http://www.cacost.org/programs-services/project-ninos/ http://framework.esc18.net/display/Webforms/LandingPage.aspx https://www.transitionintexas.org/guide Nuestro objetivo en Taft ISD, es ofrecer a los estudiantes con discapacidades valiosas experiencias educativas que los preparen para el futuro. Cada estudiante con una discapacidad tiene la oportunidad de participar en determinados centros educativos y en o actividades extra-curriculares de acuerdo a sus necesidades individuales. Valoramos la comunicación así que por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros o con la administración de su hijo campus de la escuela para preguntas o inquietudes.