Free Services for Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all states to have a “comprehensive Child Find system” to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified, and referred. The purpose is not only to find the children who have developmental delays, but also to help families meet their child’s developmental needs. The services are completely free of charge and include a multidisciplinary evaluation, services and support coordination, and the development of an “Individualized Family Service Plan” (IFSP) for children under 3 years of age or an “Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for children over three years of age.
District of Columbia
By law, the District of Columbia is required to identify all children with disabilities from birth to 21 years of age. The law contains guidelines to follow in providing services to families with children with disabilities. By identifying these children with disabilities, the District of Columbia can provide them with the support and services they need to succeed in school. For more information contact one of the following:
Birth to 3 Years:
DC Early Intervention Program (DC EIP) Child Find Hotline
810 First Street NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
202-727-3665
www.osse.dc.gov
Age 3-21
DC Public Schools Early Stages Program
1125 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-698-8037
www.earlystagesdc.org
To learn more about Child Find Services in your area visit http://www.childfindidea.org/overview.htm
