When Congress passed Public Law 94-142 in 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA), it authorized federal reimbursement to schools based on the number of students identified as having special needs and enrolled in special needs programs. As such, it raised a huge question, “how do we identify who those students are so we can get the federal funds to educate them?” The state provided an answer in 1977 mandating that counties join in a project known as “Search and Serve,” Claude W. Richardson was superintendent of schools at the time. The office, along with Kern High and Bakersfield City school districts formed the county’s first three Search and Serve programs, which began operation on Oct. 10, 1977. Physically Exceptional and Health Services Director Ernest Strong was given the responsibility of carrying it out for the office. He appointed Larry Keeter, now retired, as the first coordinator. Keeter continued to hold down the job of speech and hearing services coordinator at the same time. More