Dysart Offers Child Find Developmental Screenings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 7/30/2019

Dysart Unified School District is offering Child Find screenings for students aged 2 years 9 months through 5 years old who may have developmental delays. Children with special needs benefit from early intervention, and many of Arizona’s preschool children with special needs do not receive services because school districts do not know who they are. 

The Dysart Unified School District abides by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), which requires that public school agencies ensure all children (from birth through age 21) with delays or developmental disabilities are identified, located, and evaluated to receive the supports and services they need. This includes all children living within the geographic boundaries of the school district – those who are homeless or wards of the state, are attending private schools, or are home schooled. 

Suspected delays may be evidenced in the areas of communication, cognition, behavior, as well as in physical, auditory, visual and sensory development. Free screenings and/or diagnostic evaluations are provided by the Dysart Unified School District to help determine those children who may be eligible for special education services - all of which are free of charge to families. 

If you are the parent of a preschool child (aged 2 years 9 months through 5 years old) or know of a preschool child with suspected developmental delays that resides within the boundaries of the Dysart Unified School District, please call (623) 876-7022 (Select option #2) to schedule a free child find screening. Screenings take place at 13825 W. Desert Cove Drive, Surprise, AZ 85379, and are scheduled for the following dates: August 14, 21, September 11, 25, October 9, 23, December 4, January 15, 29, February 12, 26, March 11, 25, May 6, 13, and June 8.  

For additional information about Child Find for children younger than 2 years 9 months, please contact the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) at 602-532-9960 or 888-352-4558.