Erin’s Law is named after childhood sexual assault survivor, author, speaker and activist Erin Merryn, who is the founder and President of Erin’s Law, which is registered with the State of Illinois and the IRS as a 501 (c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization.

“Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program which teaches:

• 1 - Students in grades preK – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult
• 2 - School personnel all about child sexual abuse
• 3 - Parents & guardians the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus needed assistance, referral or resource information to support sexually abused children and their families

The Federal Child Find regulations at 34 CFR 300.111 state, “The State must have in effect policies and procedures to ensure that – (i) All children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities who are homeless children or are wards of the State, and children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated…” 

The State Child Find regulations at 23 IL Adm Code 226.100 state, “a) Each school district shall be responsible for actively seeking out and identifying all children from birth through age 21 within the district (and those parentally-placed private school children for whom the district is responsible under 34 CFR 300.131) who may be eligible for special education and related services. Procedures developed to fulfill the child find responsibility shall include: 1) An annual screening of children under the age of 5 for the purpose of identifying those who may need early intervention or special education and related services….” Public Awareness: LEAs must conduct public awareness activities targeting families and other primary referral sources. 

Public awareness activities are ongoing and involve the major organizations that have a direct interest in young children including public and private agencies, parent groups, advocates, and other organizations. Public awareness should be broad enough to reach the general public and include a variety of methods. Examples of methods to inform the general public can include posters, pamphlets, displays, toll free-numbers, websites, videos, TV, radio, newspaper releases, advertisements etc. ISBE funds the Child Find Project, a public awareness project that publishes and distributes public awareness materials. Visit the Child Find Project at http://www.childfind-idea-il.us/ to view and order materials.  

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