About Early Stages

Early Stages (DCPS) is an evaluation center for children aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months. This division identifies delays and disabilities in children within this age group. Early Stages provides evaluations for DC children who are not in school or who are homeschooled. Evaluations are available to children living outside of DC only if they attend a private school or childcare center in DC.

Early Stages also manages Part C transition. This is the process that determines if a child receiving Strong Start services is eligible for special education services in school once they turn three. All Early Stages services are free, at no cost to the child’s parent.

Contact Information

Referral

Early Stages accepts referrals for children between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 10 months. To make a referral:

Fill out the online form at earlystagesdc.org (the best way to refer)
Email a completed referral form to referral@earlystagesdc.org
Call (202) 698-8037
Fax a completed referral form to (202) 654-6079

Main Activities

Early Stages’ main activities include:

Managing evaluation referrals
Conducting developmental screenings and evaluations
Developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Holding eligibility and IEP meetings
Identifying DCPS locations for eligible children to receive special education services
Offering professional development and parent workshops on child development
Providing resources about child development

The Early Stages Process

After receiving a referral, Early Stages contacts you, the parent, for a screening. During the screening, Early Stages asks you questions about your child’s development and medical history. Screening results determine the need for further evaluation.

An evaluation determines if your child qualifies for services. The evaluation process begins only after you provide consent. The evaluation may include:

Interviews and questionnaires
Hearing and vision screenings
Assessments of skills, such as learning, speech, and movement
Observation of your child
Review of your child’s medical, social, and family history

After the evaluation, you attend an eligibility meeting to review results. If your child is not eligible, they do not qualify for services, and the process ends. If your child is eligible, they qualify for services. The team then develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) during an IEP meeting. An IEP is a written document that lists the services your child needs.

The Early Stages process ends with an offer to enroll at a DCPS school. Early Stages first confirms that your neighborhood school can implement your child’s IEP. This is the school you are offered if it has an available seat. If the neighborhood school is not an option, the next closest school that can implement the IEP is offered. You must enroll your child in school to receive services. Early Stages can only offer enrollment with DCPS. If you enroll your child in a public charter school, you can transfer the IEP. Your child’s school team will review the IEP with you at least once a year.

If your child attends a private or religious school, your child needs a services plan instead. Early Stages can also develop a services plan. A services plan does not provide all services available on an IEP. It may not fully meet your child’s needs. A DCPS case manager will review the services plan with you at least once a year.

About Early Stages

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