Empower The Village
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Empowering families to nurture confident, thriving children.

When you're worried about your child’s development, we’re here to help you with answers, support, and a path forward.

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Worried your child might be falling behind?

We’re here to help you find answers—quickly, compassionately, and clearly.

The DP-4 Parent/Caregiver Online Checklist takes just 20–40 minutes to complete and gives you a clearer picture of your child’s development. Within 24 hours, you'll receive a personalized parent report—and we encourage you to connect with a specialist to help you take the next step with confidence.

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The importance of early childhood education

Research-Backed &

Easy to Complete

The DP-4 Parent/Caregiver Online Checklist

is a trusted, nationally recognized tool to support early intervention — designed for parents to complete quickly from home.

Real Specialists,

Real Support

Our team of trained early childhood professionals doesn’t just deliver results—we walk with you, offering clarity, compassion, and real-world next steps.

Fast Results,

Personalized Action

You’ll receive your child’s results within 24 hours, plus practical, individualized intervention activities to help your child grow—starting now.

How We Help

Every parent wants the best for their child.

But sometimes, that comes with a heavy question:

“Is my child developing the way they should be?"

Whether it’s a concern from a teacher, a moment of uncertainty at home, or just a quiet instinct that something isn’t adding up, it’s natural to feel unsure—and even overwhelmed.

You may have noticed:

  • Your child is having difficulties learning new words, sitting, walking etc.
  • They're struggling with focus, social interaction, or independence
  • You’ve received vague feedback—but no clear answers

And above all, you just want to do right by your child.

We believe every child deserves the best start, and every parent deserves guidance they can trust.

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Three Simple Steps

A simple path to answers and support

1. Complete the DP-4 Parent/Caregiver Online Checklist

From the comfort of your home, fill out our online yes-or-no questionnaire (takes just 20–40 minutes). You’ll be guided through questions that cover five key areas of development:

  • Physical
  • Adaptive Behavior
  • Social–Emotional
  • Cognitive
  • Communication

You don’t need to prepare anything—just your honest reflections as a caregiver.

2. Get a Personalized Report Within 24 Hours

We’ll process your results quickly and return a professionally reviewed report, complete with:

  • Norm-based standard scores
  • Easy-to-understand interpretations
  • Targeted intervention activities for at-home support

Your assessment is personally reviewed by one of our specialists - this isn't just an automated process.

3. Choose Your Next Steps

Every family’s needs are different. After receiving your report, you can:

  • Book a private 1-on-1 Zoom session with a specialist
  • Join one of our small group classes for personalized guidance and Q&A
  • Continue learning and tracking progress through your dashboard
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Our Specialists

At Empower The Village, every specialist is hand-selected and trained to uphold the highest

standards in early childhood support. Our team combines compassion with professional

expertise—ensuring every family receives thoughtful, evidence-based guidance.

Elizabeth Villanueva, MA, CIIM

Founder & Executive Director, Empower The Village

Elizabeth brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood development and family-centered services. A recognized leader in early intervention and trauma-informed care, she has supported thousands of families navigating developmental concerns.

Elizabeth holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Trauma Studies (Valedictorian, Pacific Oaks College), and a Bachelor’s and Associate degree in Child Development from Mount St. Mary’s College. She began her career in preschool and Montessori education before founding Niños Del Cielo, Inc., a trusted Early Start provider across Southern California.

Her work has focused on empowering parents, streamlining access to resources, and building culturally responsive programs that meet each child’s unique needs. She serves on multiple early intervention councils and is an active member of IDA, Zero to Three, NAEYC, and other professional organizations.

At Empower The Village, Elizabeth brings her passion and decades of expertise to help families get answers, support, and a clear path forward—rooted in compassion and evidence-based practice.

The Professionals Behind Our Services

Our specialists are early childhood professionals with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as:

- Child Development

- Early Childhood Education

- Human Development

- Psychology

- Speech & Language Pathology (SLP-A)

- Social Work or related disciplines

Early childhood education

What Sets Our Team Apart

- All staff are supervised and supported directly by our founder

- Sessions are individualized and based on your child’s needs and progress

- We believe in coaching, not judging—and every session includes the parent as a key partner

- Many of our specialists are bilingual and bring cultural understanding to their work

Each team member is trained in:

- Developmental screening and observation

- Play-based learning and parent coaching

- Confidential, compassionate, and culturally responsive care

- Tracking developmental progress and preparing evaluation summaries

- Building strong, trusting relationships with families

Our specialists conduct sessions via Zoom, and are committed to making sure every family feels heard, supported, and empowered with practical next steps.

A Word From Our Founder

As a mother, educator, and early intervention specialist, I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re worried about your child’s development—but unsure of where to start.

For over 30 years, I’ve walked alongside families facing those same questions. I’ve seen firsthand how early support can change a child’s trajectory—and how crucial it is that parents feel heard, empowered, and equipped with real answers.

That’s why I created Empower The Village—to give families quick, compassionate access to trusted developmental tools, backed by experience and heart. We use proven assessments like the DP-4, provide easy-to-understand reports, and offer real-time coaching with specialists who truly care.

Being a parent doesn’t mean having to figure it all out on your own. You just need a place to start. We’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.


Warmly,

Elizabeth Villanueva, MA, CIIM

Founder & Executive Director, Empower The Village

The Parent Dashboard

Your journey doesn’t end with one report. As a client, you’ll receive private dashboard access with tools to support your child’s progress over time:

  • Watch custom video resources for developmental play, routines, and skills
  • Easily schedule follow-ups with our specialists
  • Store and access all your reports and recommendations in one secure place
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Know What to Watch For

Download our free Child Development Milestone Guide.

A research-backed, plain-language reference to key

developmental benchmarks across major age ranges.

In this guide, you will discover:

Clear Milestone Benchmarks by Age

Understand what typical development looks like across key areas—physical, cognitive, social-emotional, communication, and adaptive behavior—broken down by age from infancy through early childhood.

High-Level Self-Assessment Tool

Reflect on your child’s development. Get a sense of where they’re thriving and where they may benefit from a closer look or professional support.

Guidance on When to Seek Support

Wondering whether your child is meeting milestones—or might need a little extra support? You’re not alone. Many parents—especially first-time parents—aren’t sure what’s typical and what might

be a sign to check in with a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the DP-4 Parent/Caregiver Online Checklist take to complete?

Most caregivers complete it in 20 to 40 minutes.

Can I focus on just one area of development?

Yes! You can choose to assess all five key areas of development (Physical, Adaptive Behavior, Social–Emotional, Cognitive, and Communication) or focus on just one, depending on your concerns.

Will someone go over the results with me?

Zoom consultations of up to 60 minutes are part of a paid package. Alternatively, assessments can be purchased as a standalone service.

What ages is this used for?

The DP-4 Parent/Caregiver Online Checklist is designed for children from birth to 21 years old, but we most often work with children under 8.

What if I’m not ready for a full assessment?

Download our free guide to get started, then return when you're ready.

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