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What is Early Start?
The Early Start Program is California's response to federal legislation ensuring that early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families are provided in a coordinated, family-centered network.
- Who is eligible?
- What early intervention services are available?
- Who makes the referral for early intervention services?
- What happens after a referral?
- Who provides services?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I find out more?
1. Who is eligible?
Infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months may be eligible for early intervention services if through documented evaluation and assessment they meet one of the criteria listed below:
- have a developmental delay in either cognitive, communication, social or emotional, adaptive, or physical and motor development including vision and hearing; or
- have established risk conditions of known etiology, with a high probability of resulting in delayed development; or
- are at high risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of risk factors.
California Government Code: Section 95014(a)
2. What early intervention services are available?
Based on the child's assessed developmental needs and the families concerns and priorities as determined by each child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team, early intervention services may include:
- assistive technology
- audiology
- family training, counseling, and home visits
- health services
- medical services for diagnostic/evaluation purposes only
- nursing services
- nutrition services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- psychological services
- respite services
- service coordination (case management)
- social work services
- special instruction
- speech and language services
- transportation and related costs
- vision services
3. Who makes the referral for early intervention services?
Anyone can make a referral. Including parents, medical care providers, neighbors, family members, foster parents, and day care providers.
The first step that parents can take is to discuss their concerns with their health care provider/doctor. You can also call the local regional center or school district to request an evaluation for the child.
If the child has a visual impairment, hearing impairment, or severe orthopedic impairment, or any combination of these, contact the school district for evaluation and early intervention services. After contacting the regional center or local education agency, a service coordinator will be assigned to help the child's parents through the process to determine eligibility. Parent-to-parent support and resource information is also available through Early Start Family Resource Centers.
4. What happens after a referral?
Within 45-days the regional center shall:
- Assign a service coordinator to assist the family through evaluation and assessment procedures.
- Obtain parent consent for evaluation is obtained.
- Schedule and complete evaluations and assessments for the child's development.
- If infant or toddler is eligible for early intervention services, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be developed that addresses the strengths, needs of the infant or toddler, parent concerns, and early intervention services.
- Identified early intervention services that are started in the family home or other community settings.
5. Who provides services?
Early intervention services that are needed for each eligible infant or toddler are purchased or arranged by a regional center or a local education agency.
Family Resource Centers provided family support services.
6. How much does it cost?
There is no cost. Early intervention services including evaluation, assessment and service coordination.
7. How do I find out more?
Call your local family regional center, local education agency, or family resource center for resource information or a referral to Early Start services.
If you need additional information about how to get Early Start services call (800) 515-BABY or e-mail us at earlystart@dds.ca.gov.