Child Find

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SECTION 504 CHILDFIND NOTICE

RSU 21 Special Services Department has a duty to locate, evaluate, and identify any student residing in the District who qualifies for Special Education services or any child attending the public schools who may require Section 504 accommodations or services.

Children eligible for special education include those children with disabilities who have autism, deaf-blindness, emotional disability, hearing impairment, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, visual impairment, or developmental delay and who, because of such an impairment, need special education services.

Children eligible for Section 504 accommodations or services include those children who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

If you suspect that your child has a disability and may need special education services or 504 accommodations, or if you would like additional information, please contact your child’s teacher, 504 Coordinator, Crista Woolley (207) 985-1110 x3141 or call the district’s Special Services Director/ADA/504 Compliance Coordinator, Rachel Bratter (207) 985-3960.

Special education is governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is defined as “specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” Federal Government IDEA Site

In Maine, the rule chapter specific to the education of children with disabilities is Maine Department of Education Regulations, Chapter 101, Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty (MUSER).

Maine Department of Education: Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education

Maine Special Education Regulation
Special Education Parent/Student Procedural Safeguards
504 Parent/Student Procedural Safeguard