Standard 2: Identification and Referral

Identification — Child Find

Identification is the process of seeking out and locating all students who are D/HH from birth through 21. Research studies have indicated that the earlier a child is identified as having a hearing loss and provided special services and a means of communication, the greater the chances are for that child to meet normal or near normal developmental milestones (Yoshinaga-Itano, Sedey, Coulter, & Mehl, 1998). The Child Find process for children under 36 months of age is described in the regulations of Part C of IDEA; for children 3 through 21 years, the process is defined in Part B of IDEA.

The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is the lead agency for the Part C Early Intervention program in Ohio. Children who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) are eligible for early intervention (EI) in Ohio (OAC 3701- 8-07, Appendix 07-A). When a hearing loss is confirmed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, ODH makes a referral to a central intake and referral site (called “Central Coordination”). If a child has a need for EI services, specialized early intervention hearing service providers take part in determining the child’s primary service provider (PSP), writing IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) outcomes, and determining the services needed to meet those outcomes. In many cases, these specialized providers will be the family’s PSP. In other cases, the specialized providers will support another early interventionist who is serving as the child’s PSP through coaching at team meetings, joint visits, etc.

Ohio Operating Standards for Students with Disabilities 3301-51-03 Child Find further outline the responsibilities of LEAs relative to the child find process. LEAs shall have policies and procedures to ensure that any student who is potentially a student with a hearing loss (as well as other disabilities) is referred to an evaluation team. As indicated in these rules, any “refer” from a hearing screening is an indicator that a student should be referred for additional evaluation. Reference to the 2022 Hearing Screening Guidelines and Requirements.