Rowan Schools Reminds Families: Special Education and 504 Services Available for Eligible Students

The Rowan County School District has issued its annual "Child Find" notification, a program designed to identify children who may have disabilities and could qualify for special education services or accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

According to the district, Child Find efforts are aimed at locating, identifying, and evaluating children between the ages of 3 and 21 who may need additional educational support. The program applies not only to students enrolled in Rowan County Schools, but also to children attending private schools, homeschool programs, preschool programs, or those who are not currently enrolled in school.

The district notes that special education services may be available for students with a variety of disabilities, including:

Students who have physical or mental conditions that substantially limit major life activities may also qualify for accommodations through a Section 504 Plan.

For preschool-aged children, the district also provides services for eligible three- and four-year-olds with disabilities. Those children must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to receive state-funded preschool special education services.

School officials are asking parents, relatives, healthcare providers, educators, and community members to help identify children who may need services but have not yet been evaluated.

The district says information provided through Child Find is used to determine whether a child should be referred for evaluation and possible services. All information collected is handled confidentially.

The notice also explains how educational records are maintained and protected. The district states that records are stored securely and that parental consent is generally required before personally identifiable information is released, in accordance with federal privacy laws.

While some records may eventually be destroyed when no longer needed, the district maintains certain basic student information indefinitely, including items such as names, addresses, attendance records, grades, classes attended, and graduation or completion data.

Anyone who knows of a child living within Rowan County School District boundaries who may have a disability and is not currently receiving special education or Section 504 services is encouraged to contact Rowan County Schools.

Families can reach the district's Special Education Department or Section 504 Coordinator through the Rowan County Schools Central Office at:

Rowan County Schools
551 Viking Drive
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606) 784-8928

Because Child Find notices are published as legal announcements, many readers overlook them. However, for families struggling to understand why a child may be having difficulty in school, these services can provide evaluations, accommodations, specialized instruction, and support designed to help students reach their full potential.

The annual notice serves as a reminder that help may be available—and that the first step is often simply asking questions and seeking an evaluation.

Editor's Note: This article is based on a public notice published by Rowan County Schools as part of its federally required Child Find program. The Morehead Minute is sharing the information because many families may not regularly read legal notices published in local newspapers.