Preschool Child Find

The Preschool Child Find Exemplar Lead is a Local Educational Agencies (LEA), Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA), County Office of Education (COE), or Community Agency partner serving young children who provide effective models and practices that successfully identify children who may be eligible for Special Education and/or Related Services in their local community.  This Exemplar Lead provides effective examples of the community referral process for screenings and/or assessment that result from parents and/or other agency referrals.

Exemplar Leads for Preschool Child Find

Cristina Blevins
Child Find Exemplar Lead
First 5 Orange County
Cristina Blevins is First 5 Orange County’s Early Learning Senior Program Officer and has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She has a true passion for the development of young children, evidenced by her experience in the early childhood field. She has been a classroom teacher for PK-Grade 5, a Program Director for various programs including: Head Start, State Preschool, dual immersion, and fee-based early education, and most recently a consultant for First 5 OC supporting the Engaged Neighborhoods and other initiatives. Cristina is dedicated to ensuring that children have a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning and development. When she is not advocating for young children, Blevins enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Cristina Blevins Thumb

Preschool Child Find Resources

Events

Events
CalECSE Training Calendar

CalECSE offers Virtual Training Sessions on a variety of topics available at no cost.

Overview Videos

Overview Videos
Child Find: Best Practices for Transitioning to Preschool

Providing seamless early intervention services for our youngest learners with disabilities is critical for their success and long term outcomes. This video describes how to identify students with needs early and connect them to the support they need. Highlights include collaboration with organizations such as Help Me Grow and First 5 California.

Overview Videos
Early Intervention: How Childcare Providers Can Help

Childcare providers have a key partnership with parents in providing what is needed for the well-being and health of those with whom they are entrusted. This video takes a step by step walk through the process to help families and childcare providers who have a concern about a child's growth and development seek support.

Training

Training
Early Intervention Essentials: Empowering Preschool Teachers to Identify Potential Needs and Make Effective Referrals

This workshop increases understanding of the referral process and its significance, shares effective communication strategies between parents and professionals and provides tools to support children and families.

 


Early Intervention Essentials: Empowering Preschool Teachers to Identify Potential Needs and Make Effective Referrals Handout (PDF)
Training
Preschool Child Find - Tools for Improving Child Find

This session is focused on equipping educators and administrators with the tools and strategies needed to enhance Child Find practices and ensure no child falls through the cracks.


Preschool Child Find - Tools for Improving Child Find Handout (PDF)
Training Materials (New Window)
Training
Child Find - Community of Practice: Lunch and Learn

A comprehensive Child Find system ensures that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are identified, located and evaluated.  Learn about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) child find requirements as well as how educational community agencies support child find obligations.


Child Find - Community of Practice: Lunch and Learn Handout (PDF)
Training
Spotlight on Preschool Child Find: Best Practices in Action

Discover how leading school districts and county offices across California are transforming their Child Find practices to better serve young children with developmental delays.


Spotlight on Child Find (PDF)