The Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL) is a Governor’s Cabinet-level state agency created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. DEL oversees the state-funded comprehensive preschool program, child care licensing, child care subsidy policy, early intervention services, and other initiatives and programs to support parents as children’s first and most important teachers.
Early intervention services during the first three years can make a big difference in a child’s life. The Department of Early Learning’s (DEL) Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program provides services to children birth to age 3 who have disabilities or developmental delays. Eligible infants and toddlers and their families are entitled to individualized, quality early intervention services in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C.
Early intervention services are designed to enable young children to be active, independent and successful participants in a variety of settings—in their homes, in child care, in preschool programs and in their communities.
In Washington, referrals to early intervention services are provided through Local Lead Agencies. Family Resources Coordinators help families access the early intervention services their child may need. They also help families get a free developmental screening and suggest other community resources.
Children’s Therapy Center has partnered with DEL for years and recently, they featured a CTC child in their monthly newsletter.