Early intervention in District of Columbia
In the District of Columbia, the early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 is listed by the ECTA Center's directory of Part C programs as Strong Start DC Early Intervention Program (DCEIP) (Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE); Division of Early Learning - Government of the District of Columbia) (data current as of October 5, 2026). The program office is in Washington. Like every state and territory program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it evaluates children whose families or doctors have concerns about development, and the evaluation is free.
ECTA lists two numbers for the District of Columbia: the referral line, (202) 727-3665, which is the one to call to request an evaluation, and the state office, (202) 442-4713.
How to request a free evaluation
- 1Call the referral line at (202) 727-3665, or use the referral page on the program's website. You do not need a doctor's referral.
- 2Say that you have concerns about your child's development and would like an evaluation to find out whether your child is eligible for early intervention services in the District of Columbia.
- 3Give your child's name, date of birth, your county and one or two examples of what you have noticed. Write down the date of the call and who you spoke with.
- 4Federal Part C rules give the program 45 days from the referral to complete the evaluation, the assessments and the first planning meeting, except in documented exceptional circumstances.
- 5If your child is 3 or older, call your local public elementary school instead and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.
Other programs: Delaware · Florida · all states