About DC: 0-5 Training

Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood

Washington State is home to nearly half a million children ages 0 – 5. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can have mental health and developmental disorders that affect their social-emotional well-being, relationships, learning, and even physical health. Many children in Washington experience stressors such as poverty, racism, maltreatment, trauma, and toxic stress, which can increase their risk that IECMH problems may emerge.

When babies, toddlers, or preschoolers are experiencing emotional, relational, or behavioral issues, it’s important to identify these challenges with a developmentally appropriate lens and to connect families with high quality services. The DC:0-5 is an important tool for this process, and ensuring that providers have knowledge and skills in the DC:0-5 is a key step to supporting the social-emotional health of young children in our state.

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IECMH-WC Resources

Explore a range of tools and resources to support your work with children prenatal to five and their families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is DC:0-5?

The DC:0-5 or Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood is a diagnostic manual for mental health and developmental disorders in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The DC: 0-5 uses developmentally specific diagnostic criteria, and it also reflects mental health disorders that are typically diagnosed in infancy and early childhood. The DC: 0-5 is a diagnostic system that helps to identify and classify these disorders, while considering how relationships and environmental factors contribute to the child’s social and emotional well-being and developmental progress.

Why use the DC:0-5?

Age-appropriate assessment and diagnosis is key to providing effective mental health supports for children from birth through age five. The DC:0-5 is internationally accepted, recommended by both CMS and SAMHSA, and required for Apple Health mental health professionals (RCW 74.09.520).

What is DC:0-5 Training?

Many providers who work with young children do not learn about the DC:0-5 as part of their education. Additional training helps these individuals to use the DC:0-5 in their work.

Different types of training are available for different types of providers:

  • DC:0-5 Clinical Training: This 12-hour training is designed for individuals who assess and diagnose mental health and development disorders for young children, such as mental health professionals. During this training, participants will learn about the multi-axial approach to diagnosis, as well as understanding the contents of each axis, including Axis I clinical disorders. Activities and case-based learning will support participants in using the DC:0-5 to assess and diagnosis young children.
  • DC:0-5 Overview Training: This shorter training is designed for individuals who play a supportive role in the assessment and diagnosis of young children, but who may not assess/diagnose children themselves. During this training, participants will receive an overview of the background, approach, and content areas of DC:0-5™, as well as how it may be relevant for their work and practice.

How can DC:0-5 training benefit your career or organization?

For providers, DC:0-5 training can improve your skills in recognizing, assessing, and diagnosing mental health problems in very young children. Learn more about the benefits of DC:0-5 training for providers,

For organizations, DC:0-5 training can help grow your staff’s skills, expand your service line, and create positive outcomes for the children and families you serve.​ Learn more about the benefits of DC:0-5 training for organizations.

What other resources are available to get started using the DC:0-5?

There are many other resources to help build workforce knowledge and capacity around adoption of DC: 0-5, including:

What is the deadline for free DC:0-5 training?

Training in the DC: 0-5 and additional workforce supports related to IECMH are free through June 30, 2026, for Apple Health mental health providers and allied professionals serving children from birth through age five in Washington. 

How has DC:0-5 training helped Washington State?

  • 745 Mental health providers trained
  • 8,172 training hours received by mental health providers
  • 554 Allied professionals trained
  • 1,660 training hours received by allied professionals

Learn more about the impact of this work on our Reports page.