Dear Strong Start Families,

The start of a new year is often a time for new resolutions. It’s also a great time to re-engage or restart activities or habits that may have fallen by the wayside over the holidays. Strong Start understands that the holidays, winter weather and other obligations can make it difficult for families to keep up with early intervention assessments, evaluations, Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes and early intervention sessions. If your family needs to restart, consider taking the following steps:

• If your child’s Strong Start case has been closed, use the online referral form to submit a new referral for your child.
• If your child’s Strong Start case is still open but it has been a while since your family engaged with services, contact your service coordinator to schedule any upcoming evaluations.

As you restart with early intervention:

• Review the family interview section of your child’s IFSP and note any changes.
• Take a look at your child’s IFSP outcomes and most recent Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System (AEPS) assessment results to see your child’s progress and the new skills they’ve acquired.
• Make a list of any gaps or concerns about your child’s development and share them with your service coordinator.

Your child is making progress and gaining skills every day. The Strong Start team is here to support your family and is excited to coach you as you promote your child’s development.

Jasmyn Price, LPC, CPM

Director, Strong Start

Virtual Family Support Groups

Strong Start virtual support groups offer DC families an open, secure and judgement-free setting to discuss topics related to their child’s development and early intervention.

The virtual family support groups held in February will focus on Transitioning to School. Families will discuss the importance of taking a holistic approach and focusing on how to enhance their child’s strengths and educational experience.

• Click here to register for the session from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 5.
• Click here to register for the session from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Feb. 19.

The virtual family support groups held in April will focus on Shining a Light on Autism. Families will discuss the strengths and unique perspectives of individuals with autism. They will also share their lived experiences and make connections to strengthen their support system.

• Click here to register for the session from 7-8 p.m. on April 2
• Click here to register for the session from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on April 23

Each group meeting has minimal “agenda items” and participants drive the conversation around a set topic. Virtual family support groups also provide an opportunity for participants to connect with resources and programs available to DC families.

Transition Corner

As your child approaches age 3, your family will start hearing about the transition from early intervention (e.g., Strong Start) to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Here are some of the most common myths about the transition from early intervention to ECSE and facts to help you feel confident and informed as your child continues their educational journey.

Myth: If my child receives early intervention services from Strong Start, they automatically qualify for special education at age 3.

Fact: Every child receiving early intervention services receives a new evaluation as part of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), Part C (early intervention) to Part B (ECSE) transition process. Some children qualify for school-based services, and others do not. Eligibility for ECSE is based on how a child’s delay affects their learning and participation in a classroom setting. It is not based on whether a child participated in early intervention services. Since the eligibility criteria are different for early intervention and ECSE, your child’s services may change if they are determined eligible for ECSE. During the eligibility meeting, the team will discuss whether your child qualifies for ECSE and what services may be needed.

Myth: Once my child is identified as having a disability, that label will follow them forever.

Fact: Eligibility categories simply give children access to school-based supports and services. Your child’s needs are reviewed at least once per year and as they grow and make progress, the presence of a developmental delay may decrease. If your child demonstrates sufficient progress in areas previously identified as areas of delay, the eligibility team may determine that this child no longer has a disability and does not qualifies for special education.

Myth: My child must be able to talk and use the potty before starting preschool. Click to edit this placeholder text.

Fact: Preschool is where school readiness develops. ECSE helps children build skills in communication, play, behavior, social andemotional development and daily routines such as toileting. Children learn these skills through support, guidance and participation in a preschool environment.

Myth: The ECSE team decides everything during the early intervention to ECSE transition process.

Fact: Families are important members of the individual education program (IEP) team and contribute valuable insight for the school team as they identify goals, discuss placement options and make decisions about what supports your child needs. The transition meeting is the perfect time to ask questions, share concerns and ensure the IEP reflects your child’s strengths and needs.

Myth: My child must attend DC Public Schools (DCPS) in order to receive special education services.

Fact: During the transition process, children who are not yet enrolled in a DC public or public charter school are referred to Early Stages, the DCPS evaluation center for children ages 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 10 months. Early Stages completes the evaluation and transition process and will offer a DCPS preschool seat to any child eligible for special education services, ensuring they have a school to attend at age 3. If your child is already enrolled in a public charter school, that charter school will complete the eligibility process and determine services, even if the transition occurs before the first official day of school. If your child is not enrolled in a DCPS school or a public charter school prior to or during the transition process or if you prefer for your child to attend a specific school, families can apply to or enroll in any school they are matched with through the My School DC lottery application.

The transition from early intervention to ECSE is designed to be supportive and family-centered. By understanding the facts behind the myths, you can confidently advocate for your child and help them enter preschool ready to learn, play and grow. If you have additional questions about the transition process, contact your service coordinator.

The Parenthood Neighborhood

Cold weather has arrived in DC! Here are some activities for families to do together this winter.

• Warm up with a winter read: DC Public Library (DCPL) has family-friendly indoor activities all winter for a range of ages. There are 26 libraries across all eight wards of DC where you can borrow a winter-themed book to share with your child. Some favorites for children who are born to age 3 include:
  • Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen
  • The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner
  • The Magical Snowflake, by Bernette Ford
  • I’m Going to Build a Snowman, by Jashar Awan
  • Winter Invierno, by Allie Busby
  • Ten Ways to Hear Snow, by Cathy Camper
  • The First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming

   Find the DCPL closest to you and plan your visit at dclibrary.org/plan-visit.

• Sensory Playtime: For warmer, drier indoor snow play, make a sensory snow bin! To make the snow you will need 2 and 1/2 cups (one standard container) of baking soda or corn starch, 1/2 cup of white hair conditioner and a bowl or bin. Mix the baking soda and conditioner in a bowl or bin until combined. The “snow” should be a crumbly but packable consistency. Add toy animals, shovels and cups, or cars and allow your child to explore. This activity can get messy. To make clean up easier, place the sensory bin in a bathtub or put a sheet down on your play surface.

Upcoming Events

Check out these upcoming events for families:

• Bilingual Story Time: Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library will host bilingual story time on Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25 from 10:30-11 a.m. Families are invited to listen to stories, sing songs, dance and learn. No registration is required.

• Sensory Playtime: Southwest Library hosts families every Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for sensory play. The next play session is on Jan. 30. No registration is required.

• Behavior Supports and School Discipline in Special Education:DC Special Education Hub will host a free virtual training for families from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 2 focused on the intersection between special education, behavior support and school discipline. Click here to register.

• All About Extended School Year (ESY): DC Special Education Hub will host free virtual training for families from 7-8 p.m. on March 9 about the difference between ESY for students with disabilities and summer school programming. Click here to register.

• National Cherry Blossom Festival: The 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place between March 20 and April 12 at the Tidal Basin. Learn about all the events planned for the festival – including the Blossom Kite Festival and Petalpalooza® – as DC watches the cherry blossoms bloom.

Share Your Strong Start Story with Us!

We invite you to share your experience with Strong Start and how your child and your family have benefited from the program so that other families joining the program can learn how early intervention can help and support them. To share your family’s experience, please email OSSE.DELCommunications@dc.gov.