Child Search is a part of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which mandates local school districts to identify children who may have special needs. NOLA Public Schools’ Child Search Office is responsible for locating and evaluating children ages 3-5 in Orleans Parish with suspected developmental delays and disabilities.

The Child Search office is available to help families conduct a screening and/or evaluation to determine whether their child may qualify for special education services. If the child is identified with a developmental delay or disability, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed to outline the types of services that the child is eligible to receive. This could include physical therapy, speech and language services, occupational therapy, school health and nurse services, social work services, etc.

You can request a Child Search Appointment through the Child Search Online Form or by calling 504-304-4988.

Navigating this process can be a lot. Luckily, there are lots of great resources out there to help you feel comfortable and confident in the support you are seeking.