Transitioning from early intervention services to a school-based setting can be challenging. OSSE provides these resources and information to help parents better understand the process.

Transition from Early Intervention Process: Parent One-Pager

Transition from Early Intervention – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Part C and Part B of IDEA?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines the rights of children who have or may have a disability and is divided into several sections.

• Part C refers to infants and toddlers with disabilities ages birth through 2. Children eligible under Part C receive early intervention services at home and in the community with a developmental and family focus, which are outlined on an IFSP.
• Part B refers to children with disabilities ages 3 through 21, but District of Columbia law extends eligibility through age 22. Children eligible under Part B receive special education and related services in the school setting with an educational focus, which are outlined on an IEP. Children eligible under Part B may also receive early intervention services, with a school-readiness component, through an Extended IFSP until their fourth birthday.

What is the difference between an IFSP, an Extended IFSP, and an IEP?

All three documents outline your child’s data, goals, and services. IFSPs are provided to children under the age of 3 and focus on developmental and functional goals in family and community settings, such as your home. Extended IFSPs continue the early intervention services and settings you would see on an IFSP with additional support for school-readiness until the child’s 4th birthday. Extended IFSP services are provided in family and community settings before your child enrolls in school. IEPs are provided to children over the age of 3 and focus on educational goals in the school setting, with services provided in school.

What information will be shared during the transition conference?

Strong Start will share your child's most recent evaluation with the appropriate LEA. As part of the evaluation process, the LEA will ask for your input and may request additional information from Strong Start, such as your child’s IFSP and service provider notes.

Who is the “appropriate LEA” that will complete my child's evaluation?

• Early Stages is the Part B evaluation center for children ages 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months who are:
  • Enrolled in DCPS
  • Enrolled in private schools and child care centers within the District, whether or not they are DC residents
  • DC residents not enrolled in any school, including children who are homeschooled
• Public charter schools complete evaluations for children who are enrolled in their school, even if it is before the first day of school.

Why does my child need a new evaluation?

Children must meet different criteria to receive services after they turn 3, so they must be evaluated based on these new criteria. The evaluation will use the information the team already has but may also require updated testing. Since young children grow and change quickly, new information is often helpful but not always required.

Will my child automatically get an IEP? Will they receive the same services?

No. There are different criteria for qualifying for services on an IFSP compared to an IEP. Your child’s disability must have an impact on their education in order to receive services through an IEP, so these may be different from their early intervention services. The team will discuss what services your child may receive during the eligibility meeting.

Should I still complete the MySchoolDC lottery?

Yes. You can apply to or enroll at any school, even while your child is going through the transition process. Depending on your child's IEP, the LEA may offer a seat in a school it determines can provide your child's specific services and supports, and this may be different from your lottery match or neighborhood school. If your child is eligible for an IEP, you can enroll in DCPS at any time.

What if my child enrolls in a school in the middle of their transition process?

If you enroll your child in a DCPS school or a private school or child care center within the District, Early Stages will continue the transition process. If you enroll your child in a charter school, Early Stages will pause their role in the transition process and the charter school will continue where Early Stages left off. Even if the LEA changes, the timelines will remain the same.

If my child is entering a public school, when do their IEP services begin?

The school must provide the services on your child's IEP by their third birthday. If your child enrolls after their third birthday, services must start on their first day of school. Related services, like speech or occupational therapy, must begin within two weeks of your child’s first day.

If my child turns 3 before the start of their pre-K 3 school year, how can they receive services?

Children who are found eligible under Part B may receive services at their home or child care setting through an Extended IFSP or in a DCPS setting through an IEP prior to their pre-K 3 year. LEAs can place children in programs at any point during the school year. Parents can enroll in DCPS at any time, or in a charter school if a seat is available and consistent with the charter school’s enrollment policies.

Will my child’s school be able to implement the IEP?

Schools cannot deny enrollment to children based on their disability. LEAs are required to provide a range of services that meet different levels of need across their schools. Your school may need time to get to know your child before they can determine the best way to support them and implement their IEP, but must provide the services on the current IEP during that time. The LEA may offer a seat in a different school that it determines can provide your child’s specific services and supports, and this may be different from your MySchoolDC lottery match or neighborhood school. 

If my child is enrolled at a Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) location, can they receive IEP services?

No. Only children enrolled at DCPS or public charter schools can receive services through an IEP. Children who are eligible under Part B and who are enrolled at PKEEP-participating child care centers may receive services through an Extended IFSP until their fourth birthday. After that, the child must be enrolled in DCPS or a public charter school to continue receiving services that are protected under IDEA.

If my child is eligible under Part B and I choose for them to receive services through an IEP, can I later switch to an Extended IFSP instead?

No. Once you decline Extended IFSP services and choose to move forward with an IEP, you cannot switch back to an Extended IFSP. However, you may switch between LEAs if a seat is available, following the MySchoolDC lottery process.

What is the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational diagnosis?

A medical diagnosis is made by doctors and other medical professionals in a clinical or healthcare setting. An educational diagnosis is determined by a school-based IEP team, including the appropriate, qualified professionals such as a school psychologist or speech language pathologist.

While the names of the diagnoses may be the same, the criteria used to make them and the way that services are provided are different. A child might have both a medical and educational diagnosis or may only have one of these.

If my child has a medical diagnosis, how can they receive services for this?

Children with an educational diagnosis may receive support for medical conditions through the IEP. The exact services and supports would be decided by the IEP team. Children with a medical diagnosis may also be able to receive support through their managed care organization (MCO/health insurance provider), based on individual medical provider recommendations. MCO-provided services may include (but are not limited to):

• Medication management
• Behavioral therapy
• Applied behavioral analysis (ABA)
• Speech therapy and other related services
• Supplemental or secondary insurance

MCO-provided services will not be reflected on the IEP or dictated in any way by the IEP team; however, MCO service providers may coordinate with the IEP team if you give your consent. If your child has a medical diagnosis but is not eligible for an IEP, they may be able to receive support at school through a 504 plan.

Key Terms

• Early intervention services are provided to children with disabilities under the age of 3, often in a home or community setting, with a focus on functional and family-based goals.
• Early Stages is the District’s evaluation center for children between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 10 months who are enrolled in DC Public Schools (DCPS), private schools, and child care centers within the District, or are DC residents not enrolled in any school.
• An eligibility meeting is held to determine if a child meets the specific criteria to be considered a child with a disability.
• An evaluation is a comprehensive report written by a qualified professional that includes assessments and other data to help determine if a child is eligible for services.
• An extended individualized family service plan (EIFSP) is an option for children who are found eligible under Part B of IDEA who would like to continue receiving early intervention services until their fourth birthday.
• An individualized education program (IEP) outlines the most recent data, goals, and services of children between the ages of 3-22 who are receiving special education and related services.
• An individualized family service plan (IFSP) outlines the most recent data, goals, and services of children younger than age 3 who are receiving early intervention services.
• Local education agencies (LEAs) are public schools, including DCPS and public charter schools. These LEAs sometimes have responsibilities, such as evaluating or providing services, to children not enrolled in their school (e.g., children enrolled in private schools).
• Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines the rights of children, ages 3-21, who have or may have a disability and are entitled to a free and appropriate public education in their least restrictive environment.
• Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines the rights of infants and toddlers, ages birth-2, who have or may have a disability.
• A referral is a request for an evaluation.
• Special education and related services are provided to children with disabilities who are between the ages of 3-21 in a school setting, with a focus on educational goals.
• Strong Start is the District’s provider for evaluation and early intervention services for children under the age of 3.