As a parent or guardian, you want your child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. If you suspect your child may have a disability that impacts their learning or development, the Department is here to support you through the Child Find process.

WHAT IS CHILD FIND

Child Find is a statewide effort to identify, locate and evaluate children and youth who may have a disability and need special education and related services. This process ensures that every child who needs support receives assistance to succeed.

When should a child be referred to Child Find?

• ​Your child’s health or medical condition is interfering with their development and/or learning.
• Your child seems to have difficulty seeing or hearing. They appear to have social, emotional or behavioral difficulties that affect his/her ability to learn or interact with others.
• Your child has a diagnosed progressive or degenerative condition that will eventually interfere with their ability to learn.
• Your child seems to have difficulty understanding directions like their peers.
• Your child’s speech is not understood by family or friends.
• Your child has difficulty with reading, writing, math or other school subjects.

How can a child be referred?

• Contact the neighborhood school (the location where your child attends or would attend if they are not school-age) and request an evaluation. Explain or write down all of your concerns that appear to be interfering with their learning. The request can be made: In-person, or by phone.
• In a written letter, faxed or e-mailed. Or on the state of Hawai’i Request for Evaluation form (PDF) or obtained from the school.  

What happens after referral?

• The school may invite you to a meeting, consisting of teacher(s), principal or other school personnel who have knowledge in the area of concern to discuss your child’s concerns.
• A team reviews all information from you and/or teacher (i.e., student records, grades, test scores, other reports, etc.), to determine whether an evaluation is needed and the type of assessment(s).
• The school will respond within 15 days if an evaluation will or will not be conducted.
• Parental consent will be required for an evaluation to be conducted. You and your child(ren) have rights in this process.

CHILD FIND BROCHURE (LANGUAGES)

Brochures are available in different languages. Download the PDF document, and view it in Adobe Acrobat. 

Contact

For more information, please call Child Find at 800-297-2070 statewide. 

Children Younger than 3 Years Old

If your child is younger than the age of 3 (birth to 2 years) contact the Early Intervention Referral Line at 808-594-0066. You can also visit Early Intervention Services website.

Children Older than 22 Years or Older

For those 22 years of age or older, contact the Hawaiʻi State Department of Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Services for the Blind Division at 808-586-5269, or the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Case Management and Information Services Branch at 808-733-9172.