You can print this page as an accessible PDF! Download here An advocate is someone who works toward a cause or goal. Sometimes the hardest part of advocacy is figuring out what to do next. When a child has unmet needs at school, family advocates can seek changes to a student’s services by asking for Read More
Category: 0-5 years
Steps to Read, Understand, and Develop an Initial IEP
A Brief Overview A first-time IEP document is a lot to absorb. This article provides tips to help family members read through a draft IEP and prepare to participate on the IEP team that finalizes the Individualized Education Program before services begin. Remember, the school’s first version is a DRAFT, and family members of the Read More
Parent Participation in Special Education Process is a Priority Under Federal Law
A Brief Overview Schools are required to accommodate parents to ensure their attendance and participation at meetings where their child’s special education services are discussed. Those rights are affirmed in a court decision from 2013: Doug C. Versus Hawaii. A meeting that includes family is a higher priority than a renewal deadline. If a deadline Read More
Disability Rights for Littles: Key Information for Families of Babies, Preschoolers, and Primary-School Children
This two-part video series provides information about the rights of babies, toddlers, and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. Part 1 provides information about early support services for babies through age 3. An interactive exercise is included to help families better understand how to participate in development of functional outcomes as part of the Read More
Early Learning Toolkit: Overview of Services for Families of Young Children
You can print this toolkit as a PDF! Click to download this page New parents have a lot to manage. Concern about whether a child’s growth and development are on track can be confusing. This toolkit provides places to begin if caregivers suspect that a baby or young child may need services due to a Read More
Early Intervention: How to Access Services for Children Birth to 3 in Washington
A Brief Overview Early intervention services help infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays to learn and catch up in their development. This article covers some basics about services for young children in Washington State. Families concerned about a child’s development can call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588, with support in multiple languages. Parents can Read More
MIC3-School Issues Covered by the Interstate Compact
This resource gives you details about situations covered by the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (“MIC3”). Use it to help you decide if you can apply the Compact to resolve a school issue for your child. Then you can follow the Step-by-Step Checklist to use the Compact for your child’s situation. Transferring records, Read More
MIC3 Step-by-Step Checklist-Resolve School Issues with the Interstate Compact
This resource shows you specific steps to take to resolve school issues for your child, using the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. It gives you contact information for people who can help you for different situations covered by the Compact. To help you decide if your child’s situation is covered by the Read More
Early Learning Transition: When Birth-3 Services End
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) ends when a child turns 3. A transition to a preschool plan with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a new evaluation and is a team-led process: Planning begins 6-9 months before the third birthday. The Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) schedules a transition conference to design a written Transition Read More
What’s Next when Early Childhood Services End at Age 3?
A Brief Overview Services for families with infants and very young children include family-focused, home-based support. Families are served with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). An IFSP ends when the child turns 3. A child who qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) receives those services at school. Not all children who qualified for Read More