Early Stages or CARE Center - any experience?

[Anonymous]

My four-year-old has been approved for an evaluation for developmental delays with Early Stages, a new free program through the DC public schools for kids ages 3-5. Does anyone have any experience with this program or know who is involved? I think they just opened their center a couple of weeks ago; before that, evals were done on a smaller scale through something that I think was called the CARE Center. We want an evaluation for gross motor and social/emotional issues, but don't want to put our daughter through something that will not be useful or could be misleading. It's probably a great program, but I know nothing about the people who work there or the program's track record, and could not find this information at the web site. Thanks in advance for any help or ideas!

[Anonymous]

My experience with DC early intervention is that it has been really fragmented in the past. I had received an evaluation for my child at 2 years, had a plan written for services and that was the last I heard from anyone.

It is my understanding that this new facility is intended to be a comprehensive site for early intervention, in order to truly support children who need services in order to be successful in school. Given DC's poor compliance with IDEA, this is a great step in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 childre (ages 8 & 10) who went through early intervention and DC care center in the past - and the experience was horrible. I am now involved on several city-fronts with special education and special needs issues; and recently met Dr. Nathaniel Beers, the new director of the new Early Stages, this new program is really top-notch; they cleaned house with staff and facilities and Early Stages is one of the most impressive new fronts in DC. While I have not had experience going through the evaluations in the new program - based on the presentation I attended - I think you will have a very good experience and nothing like what parents have received over the past 10-15 years. They also have an excellent follow-up system in place, so you should be able to get feedback every step of the way. I encourage you to do the evaluations there.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Nathaniel Beers is top quality..out of Children's Hospital. I would give them a try.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the advice. I will give Dr. Beers and Early Stages a try.