If your child has a disability, and you do not know where to find help, check out this list of essential resources available in your state. These essential contacts offer the most commonly needed services and can provide you with referrals to other appropriate services as well. If you have difficulty contacting any of these resources, please feel free to email me at: learningdisabilities.guide@about.com.
1. Department of Education - Special Education - Ages 3 - 21
States' departments of education oversee disability education services to children. It monitors school districts for compliance with IDEA and state special education regulations. The Department of Education handles formal complaints, due process hearings, and mediation on special education issues.
Office of Special Education
District of Columbia Public Schools
825 N. Capitol Street, N.E., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202)442-4800
2. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Disabilities
Infant and early childhood programs provide services to infants and young children with disabilities such as developmental instruction, and speech, physical, and occupational therapies.
Birth to Age Three:
Early Care and Education Administration
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Infant and Toddlers with Disabilities Division
Department of Human Services
717 14th Street, N.W., Suite 1200
Washington DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 727-6436
Ages Three to Five:
Office of Special Education
District of Columbia Public Schools
825 N. Capitol Street, N.E., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202)442-4800
3. State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Vocational rehabilitation services help people with disabilities live more independent lives by providing education, support, and services to assist them with becoming employed. The department works with middle schools, high schools, and higher education to help students with disabilities access appropriate supports for employment and independence such as job coaching, teaching skills, support in job placement, assistive and adaptive supports, and more.
Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
4425 N. Market Street
P. O. Box 9969
Wilmington DE 19809-0969
Telephone: (302)761-8275, (302)761-8336(TTY)
Website: Vocational Rehabilitation
4. Mental Health Services Agency
State mental health agencies provide services to individuals and families dealing with mental illness, mental retardation, and substance abuse. Services include advocacy, nursing home screening, psychiatric services, intervention, coordination of treatment, case management, and more.
Department of Mental Health
64 New York Avenue, NE, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202)673-7440
24-Hour Access Helpline: Call 1(888)793-4357 for a referral to emergency assistance or ongoing care with a mental health provider.
Llame a la linea Telefonica de ayuda disponible las 24 houras: 1(888)793-4357
TTY Access Helpline (202) 673-7500
Website: Mental Health services
5. Disability Advocacy Services
Protection and advocacy offices offer information and referrals relating to disability issues, a resource database for self-advocacy, education and training in disability rights, and individual case advocacy.
University Legal Services: Protection and Advocacy
3220 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20020
Telephone: (202)645-7175 Website: Protection and Advocacy
