DC3C Activities
DC3C Connect
Partnering with Families to support student Success
Equipping families with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to expand possibilities and advance student success.
DC3C Connect is the family engagement component of DC3C, a program of the DC Special Education Cooperative. We partner with parents, guardians, and caregivers to help students prepare for life after high school. Through clear guidance, practical resources, and meaningful engagement, families gain the confidence to support college, career, and community pathways. Delivered in collaboration with our member schools and aligned with Youth Transition Programs through the District of Columbia Department on Disability Services (DC DDS) Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), DC3C Connect supports Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) by strengthening the connection between families, schools, and transition resources.
Program Focus:
- Career exploration and workforce readiness
- College and training pathways
- Community resources and supports
- Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
- Student independence and self-advocacy
- Transition planning and IEP goals
How Families Participate:
- Community partner presentations
- Family workshops and information sessions
- Open Q&A and guided discussions
- Virtual and in-person learning opportunities
Eligibility:
DC3C Connect is designed for parents, guardians, and caregivers of students with disabilities ages 14 and older enrolled in participating District of Columbia public charter schools or approved nonpublic placements. The program supports families of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan as they navigate college, career, and postsecondary transition planning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: DC3C Connect is the family engagement component of DC3C that equips families with knowledge, resources, and guidance to actively support their student’s transition from high school to college, career, and independent adulthood.
A: DC3C Connect helps families better understand transition planning, available supports, and postsecondary pathways so they can confidently support their student’s goals.
A: No. DC3C Connect is designed to support families at every stage, offering guidance whether families are new to transition services or already planning for college, career, and postsecondary pathways.
A: DC3C Connect serves families whose students, ages 14 to 22, have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan and attend public charter schools affiliated with the DC Special Education Cooperative (Co-op) member network.
A: DC3C Connect is aligned with Youth Transition Programs through the District of Columbia Department on Disability Services (DC DDS) Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This partnership supports Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), which help students with disabilities explore careers, build skills, and prepare for life after high school.
In order to access Pre-ETS services in the District of Columbia, all students must have a diagnosed disability (IEP or 504 plan). Students must have submitted a completed Pre-ETS Consent Form (English Version or Spanish Version).
Note: Participation in DC3C Connect does not change a family’s existing services but provides additional resources and support for transition planning.
A: Families can participate in DC3C Connect by attending scheduled sessions listed on the DC3C calendar or through invitations shared by DC3C staff and partner schools. For additional information or support, families may contact Mrs. Erika Thomas, Director of Workforce Readiness, DC Special Education Cooperative, at ethomas@specialedcoop.org.