Equality for D.C.'s Youngest Children

Are Children with Special Needs in the District of Columbia Getting A Fair Chance at Early Intervention Services with a 50\% Developmental Delay Requirement As Compared to Neighboring States? A Petition for Change.

IDEA
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Part C, federal grants are made available to states to operate a comprehensive program of services (early intervention) for infants and toddler with disabilities, developmental delays or who exhibit a high probability of developing a delay, as well as for their families. Each state or jurisdiction establishes the criteria used to determine whether a child can receive services through its early intervention program.

EARLY INTERVENTION
Early intervention is essential to a childs well-being and serves to enhance future development and increase educational gains. In the District of Columbia, a child must show a 50\% developmental delay in order to qualify for services, while in its two neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia, the developmental delay requirement is 25\%. Consequently, many of the Districts children who have developmental delays that necessitate early intervention services are not receiving them.

PETITION REQUEST
This petition asks that the District of Columbia change its eligibility requirement from a 50\% developmental delay to a 25\% developmental delay in order to provide services for a greater number of children in need of early intervention.