The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is the public agency responsible for the oversight and coordination of all services and supports provided to qualified persons with intellectual disabilities in the District of Columbia.
DDA supports individuals with intellectual disabilities to have the most independence and choice and control over their own lives through person-centered service planning and delivery and increased provider capacity. DDA coordinates home and community services for over 2,000 individuals so each person can live and work in the neighborhood of their choosing, and promotes health, wellness, and a high quality of life through service coordination and monitoring, clinical supports, and a robust quality management program.
Mission
As DC's state education agency, OSSE works urgently and purposefully, in partnership with education and related systems, to sustain, accelerate, and deepen progress for DC students.
Vision
DC will close the achievement gap and ensure people of all ages and backgrounds are prepared to succeed in school and in life.
OSSE's Division of Specialized Education (DSE) is responsible for overseeing the development and promulgation of state policy governing special education; monitoring LEAs for compliance with IDEA as well as other federal and local regulations and court-ordered consent decrees; allocation and administration of IDEA grant funds to LEAs and other public agencies; provision of training and technical assistance to LEAs; and investigation and resolution of state complaints relating to special education. OSSE also administers the District's due process hearing system, through the Student Hearing Office (SHO), in a reporting line separate from the DSE.
DC Public Schools aspires be a model district for special education. Our goal is to provide high quality inclusion and special education services, and to dramatically improve academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
Our four strategic goals are to:
For more information about special education programs, please download our Programs and Resources Guide.
Secondary transition is the process of preparing students for life after they leave high school, including participation in post-secondary education or training, employment, and community living. The ultimate outcome of secondary transition services is students living independently based on their preferences, abilities, and needs.
The Department of Behavioral Health provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.
Our goal is to ensure every DC student receives a quality education that makes them feel valued and prepares them for lifelong learning, fulfilling careers, and economic security. We do that by creating the policies and conditions that empower teachers and school leaders to do their best work, and that's educating students.
Our Vision
Every DC student receives a quality education that makes them feel valued and prepares them for lifelong learning, fulfilling careers, and economic security.
Our Mission
DC public charter schools are environments where all students, especially those in historically marginalized groups, thrive. As DC's charter authorizer, we:
DC Partners in Transition is a group of DC stakeholders who are committed to improving the ability of DC youth with special needs and disabilities to successfully transition into education, employment, and independence. The group is comprised of students, young adults, teachers, community organizations, government representatives, employers, parents, and more. The group first came together for Moving Forward Together: Transition Stakeholder Forum in June 2009.
Vision
School communities where every youth is honored and self-determined.
Mission
We tackle complex problems that impact marginalized youth and the schools and systems that support them.
Background
Founded in 2008, SchoolTalk, Inc. is a District of Columbia-based nonprofit that supports the D.C. education community in collaboratively addressing complex challenges and creating practical solutions for assisting youth of all abilities achieve success. SchoolTalk's programs actively work to improve postsecondary outcomes for youth through both proactive initiatives—such as youth leadership and mentoring, skill-building, and workforce development—and direct intervention to resolve issues in productive ways, such as mediation and restorative justice. SchoolTalk has two key program areas: Inclusive Education and Restorative Justice.
