Childfind Project - Tahoma School District
Legal Notices / by VOICE of the Valley / New
Childfind Project
Children from ages three to 21 who have need for special services in education and educationally related areas are the subject of a nationwide effort called the Childfind Project.
A Preschool Assessment Team of teachers and special service professionals from Tahoma School District is conducting free clinical assessments for three-to-five year olds on specific Fridays of each month.
It is expected that 10 percent of children participating in developmental screening clinics will have potentially handicapping conditions.
The following developmental areas are assessed in preschool children: fine motor (small muscle); gross motor (large muscle); hearing/vision; communication which includes receptive language, expressive language and articulation (speech sound errors); cognitive/pre-academic (general intelligence) with a focus on attention and memory, reasoning and academic skills, and perception and concepts; social/emotional and behavior development; and, self-help skills.
If a child is identified through this screening as having areas of deficiency that qualify them for special service, the school district will establish a program to meet their needs. Individual programs will depend upon a number of factors such as the type and degree of delay, appropriate program, and availability of programs. Further information is available from Melissa Horton, school psychologist at 425-413-3579.
The Childfind Project is also conducted locally for other school children up through age 21. Those students who are attending private schools within the Tahoma District boundaries are also eligible for evaluation through the district. Upon referral the evaluation team determines the need for assessment and the specific area of assessment. The school psychologist or building principal has further information.
If your family lives in any of the following situations: in a shelter; in a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation; in a car, park abandoned building, or bus or train station; doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship, then your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, which includes evaluation for services through the Childfind Project. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.
(Published VOICE of the Valley, Tuesday, July 1, 2025)
- Listing ID: 33928
