Overview
Educational Service District 123 (ESD 123) is the regional educational support agency serving 23 school districts across seven counties in Southeastern Washington, including all of the school districts in the Tri-Cities area. For families of children with disabilities, ESD 123 is the backbone of the special education support system, the organization responsible for the specialized personnel, early intervention programs, and school-based behavioral services that your child’s IEP may rely on, even if you’ve never heard the name before.
Who It’s For
Families of children from birth through age 21 with developmental delays, disabilities, or special education needs. ESD 123 primarily works through school districts and early childhood programs rather than serving families directly, but understanding what it does (and how to access it) is essential for navigating your child’s educational journey.
What They Offer
Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT)
ESD 123 provides Early Support services in the areas of social-emotional development, communication, motor skills, cognitive development, and self-help skills. Once a referral is received, an FRC will contact the family within three days to gather information and assist with a developmental screening. Early support services are designed to help children ages birth to 3 be active and successful in their homes, child care, preschool, and community settings.
ECEAP Preschool
ESD 123’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a “whole child,” comprehensive, family-focused preschool program that provides FREE services and support to eligible children and their families, with a goal of ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. Children who have been qualified by their school district for special education services are among those eligible to enroll.
Special Education Consortium
The ESD 123 Special Education Consortium provides related services including Orientation and Mobility, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Braille, School Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Deaf Education, and Occupational and Physical Therapy Services. The Consortium also provides Pre-Employment Transition Services and Early Intervention Services, and supports training for districts across the region.
Candy Mountain Academy
Candy Mountain Academy provides a supportive learning environment where students in 1st–10th grade can improve their academic and social skills while learning appropriate ways to manage behavior and improve self-esteem. Each student has an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), developed with their neighborhood school. Referrals are initiated through a student’s local school district special education department.
TC Futures Center
TC Futures is a collaborative center for young adults ages 16–24, offering GED completion, career counseling, employment opportunities, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships, and other employment-related services. It’s a strong resource for transition-age youth who need re-engagement and employment pathways.
Eligibility
ESD 123 serves children from birth through age 21. Most services are accessed through a referral from a school district, physician, or early childhood program. Families, childcare providers, and medical providers can all make referrals to the Early Support for Infants & Toddlers program. For school-age services, the starting point is your child’s school district’s special education department.
How to Get Started
- For children under 3: Contact ESD 123’s Early Support team directly to make a referral or ask about developmental screenings.
- For school-age children: Talk to your child’s school about special education services and ask whether ESD 123 provides any of the related services in their IEP.
- For transition-age youth (16–24): Ask about TC Futures and Pre-Employment Transition Services through DVR.
Phone: (509) 547-8441 | Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM
Address: 3924 W Court St, Pasco, WA 99301
Visit ESD 123 | Early Support for Infants & Toddlers | ECEAP Preschool | Special Services | TC Futures Center
