free family resources
Practical guides for families
Clear answers on childcare, respite, benefits and programs in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, with the numbers to call and the sources we checked.
Want help sorting this out for your family? Send us a question
Childcare and paying for it.
Guide
Babysitter, nanny or specialized childcare: how to choose
What each option covers, what you handle yourself and when specialized childcare is worth the higher rate.
Guide
Preparing a new caregiver for your child
What to write down, how to run the first visit, and what to check afterwards, with a free one-page care plan template.
Guide
Using a dependent care FSA for specialized childcare
The 2026 limit, which care qualifies, what doesn’t, and the receipts and provider details your plan will ask for.
One-page care plan template
Write down what any caregiver needs to know about your child: communication, routines, what helps in hard moments, safety and handoffs.
Download the template1-page PDF · 96 KB
Diagnosis, programs and waiting lists.
Guide
The first 90 days after an autism diagnosis
A practical order of steps for families in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, with the numbers to call.
Guide
Respite options in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia
County programs, waivers and private-pay care compared, with who qualifies and what each one can’t do.
Guide
Maryland DDA and the Autism Waiver: where families get stuck
How to apply, what changed in 2025, how the waiting lists work and what you can do for your child while you wait.
Care where you live.
Area
Washington, DC
Childcare across the District, plus Strong Start early intervention, Department on Disability Services intake and waiver respite.
Area
Maryland
Montgomery County and the Baltimore area, plus Infants and Toddlers, DDA, the Autism Waiver and county respite.
Area
Northern Virginia
Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County, plus Community Services Boards, DD Waivers and local respite.
Find childcare that
fits your family.
Tell us about your child, the help you need and what matters most to your family. Let’s plan the next step together.
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