Parents of a Child with a Disability

Child Find and Preschool Special Education

Every school district or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) has professionals trained to evaluate young children’s development. This service is referred to as Child Find.  The purpose of the child find process is to determine whether a child has a need for early intervention or special education services.

• Child Find
• Child Find for Children Ages 3 Through 5 Years Old

Every child with a disability who attends public school and receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).  An IEP is a document uniquely designed for one specific student, with the intention of improving educational results for that child.  Each IEP must be created in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and, in Colorado, the Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA).

IEP Forms & Guidelines can be found on the Individualized Education Program

The term "related services" means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling condition in children.

• Related Services

View a list of Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide for Parents and Family Members of Students on IEPs.

Parents are encouraged to resolve special education concerns at the local school district or BOCES level. School district staff, parents, and children benefit and build relationships when all work together to resolve problems.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Find Your Special Education Director

The Exceptional Services Unit has a family engagement specialist who acts as a resource and aids in answering individuals' questions and assists in directing parents to various resources. The family engagement specialist serves as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters.

Find information on dispute resolution options available to parents and school districts regarding disputes during the Special Education process.

• Dispute Resolution

Special education or gifted education director for school districts or BOCES are listed alphabetically by the school district name. 

• Find Your Special Education and Gifted Education Director

Special Education Guidance and Technical Assistace

Special Education Guidance and Technical Assistance Documents

Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

The Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities page provides access to resources for families and caregivers of children with disabilities, as they support their children.

Parent and Family Support List / Lista de apoyo para padres y familias

Agency List for Families of Students with Disabilities

• Una lista de agencias para cualquier persona que busque apoyo y recursos para personal con discapacidades

Printable Copies of the List

• Colorado and National Resources PDF
• Colorado and National Resources PDF - (Print Only version; urls listed out)

National Resources

• 211 for Children/Youth with Special Needs

CDE Resources

• Acronyms used at CDE
• Supporting Displaced Students
  • Homelessness and Natural Disasters (such as fires, floods, etc.)
  • Supporting Displaced Special Education Students Fact Sheet

• Parent Counseling and Training
• Calendar: PEAK Parent Center [Exiting CDE Website]
• Browse this statewide online calendar of events for families and educators of children and youth with disabilities.
• Special Education Legal Conference - Provides special education legal trends/updates both nationally and those specific to Colorado. TBD

• Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) - A mandated state-level committee with members interested in the quality of education received by children/youth with disabilities.
• Colorado Inter-Agency Coordinating Council - (Exiting CDE Website)
  A federally mandated, governor-appointed council to advise and assist implementation of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE) - A state council reviewing best practices recommending strategies for increased parent involvement in public education, for the purpose of improving education and raising students' academic achievement levels.