California Early Start

Because all babies are different, they rarely do the same thing at exactly the same age. As a result, it is not unusual for families to have questions or concerns about their child's development. You may wonder:
Why isn't my son sitting up?
Why isn't my daughter crawling?
Why can't anyone understand what my son is saying?
Is my child's hearing/vision normal?
When should my baby begin eating solid food?

It's important to keep in mind that all children develop differently and at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's development, call your health care provider, community health clinic or (800)515-BABY.

With Early Start . . . We can make a difference. A child with or at risk of developmental delay or disability can receive an "Early Start" in the State of California. Teams of service coordinators, healthcare providers, early intervention specialists, therapists, and parent resource specialists can evaluate and assess an infant or toddler and provide appropriate early intervention services to children eligible for California Early Start.

Over fifty years of medical and educational research, plus the personal experience of families, teachers and developmental specialists across the country, show that family-centered interventions during the first three years of a child's life can make a profound difference in the child's future. Starting with a partnership between parents and professionals at this early stage helps the child, family and society as a whole. Early intervention services delivered within the context of the family can:
     *Improve both developmental and educational gains;
     *Reduce the future costs of special education, rehabilitation, and health care needs;
     *Reduce feelings of isolation, stress and frustration that families may experience; and
     *Help children with disabilities grow up to become productive, independent individuals.
The earlier children with or at risk of disabilities receive assistance and thesooner their families receive support toward's their children's development, the farther they will go in life. IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START!

What is Early Start?
Infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months may be eligible for early intervention services if through documented evaluation and assessment they meet one of the criteria listed below:

1. have a developmental delay in either cognitive, communication, social or emotional, adaptive, or physical and motor development including vision and hearing; or
2. have established risk conditions of known etiology, with a high probability of resulting in delayed development; or
3. are at high risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of risk factors.

How to Do I Get Started?
With the very first phone call for early intervention services, you can begin to get information and resources to answer your questions. You know your child's abilities and frustrations. Yet, you may not have the information you need to effectively assist your child's growth and development. By working closely with families, early intervention professionals and family resource staff can help parents address their concerns, identify needs and resources to address those needs, and set a course of action.

SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CENTER:
    San Diego County (858)576-2996  or Imperial County (760)355-8383
 EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER:
   San Diego (800)281-8252 or (619)594-7416
    Imperial County (760)355-0147, North Coastal (760)510-3994, 
    South County (619)409-3127

INFANT PROGRAMS:
Serving San Diego City -
     SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (858)272-9641
Serving East County -
     CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT (619)588-3146
     LAKESIDE/SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT (619)390-2620
     LA MESA/SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT (619)668-5747
Serving South County/North Coastal/North Inland -
     HOPE INFANT FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM (760) 761-5581
Serving Imperial County -
      Imperial Cnty Ofc. of Ed. Infant Toddler Program (760)312-6641

Taking the First Step
If you are concerned about your child's development, the first step is to have your child referred for evaluation and assessment. You can refer your child directly to an early start program or you can have your child's physician or another professional make the referral for you. You will be assigned a service coordinator who will help you through the process. Through your local education agency or regional center, evaluation services are available to children with special needs who may be eligible for Early Start services. During the assessment process, a child's motor skills, communication development, learning skills, social interaction, and emotional development are evaluated.

Setting a Course of Action
Once the evaluation and assessment process is complete and your child is determined eligible for Early Start services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed for your child and family. By working closely with the family, early intervention professionals ensure that both services and community supports, including parent-to-parent resources, are brought together to meet each child's unique needs and the needs of their family to support the child's development.

Accessing Services              
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

Who Provides Services?
Early intervention services are individually determined for each eligible infant or toddler and are provided, purchased or arranged by a regional center or local education agency. Local education agencies are primarily responsible for infants and toddlers with solely low incidence disabilities (vision, hearing and severe orthopedic impairments, including any combination of these low incidence disabilities). Regional centers are responsible for all other children eligible for Early Start. Family resource centers/networks provide parent-to-parent support, information, and referral for all families.

How Much Does it Cost?
Early intervention services including evaluation, assessment and service coordination are provided to eligible infants and toddlers and their families at no cost to the family. Early Start is funded by federal funds (IDEA, Part C) and State General Funds. Other publicly-funded early intervention services may also be utilized.

How Do I Find Out More?
Contact your local Regional Center (858-576-2938),  Local Education Agency (LEA) or Exceptional Family Resource Center (800)281-8252 for resource information or a referral to local Early Start services. Families of infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months at risk of or with developmental delays and disabilities, can receive parent-to-parent support from Early Start Family Resource Centers and Networks(FRC/Ns). The Exceptional Family Resource Center(EFRC) actively collaborates with the local regional center and education agencies to help many parents, families and children access information about early intervention services.

Exceptional Family Resource Center(EFRC) is staffed by parents who have children with special needs and provide information and parent-to-parent support. EFRC  uniquely reflects the needs of their community. They operate independent sites and are also based in regional centers, local education agencies, and public health facilities. Services are available in many languages and are culturally responsive to the needs of the individual family. Exceptional Family Resource Center provides the following services:
     *parent-to-parent family support
     *peer counseling and home visits
     *information and referral
     *public awareness
     *parent education
     *support services in many languages
     *translation assistance
     *support services in urban and rural communities
     *lending library of books and videos
     *reference library
     *support group information
     *community and internet resources
To find out more about the Exceptional Family Resource Center, please browse our web site or call us at (800)281-8252 for more information.
 
Online Links:
California Early Start Resource Directory
California Early Start Resource Materials  
California Early Start Website
Early Intervention Guide for Families
Early Start Due Process System Changes
Early Start Proposed Policy Changes
Parents' Rights: Early Start Guide for Families