Early Start Specialized Therapeutic Services, Service Code 116 are defined as a therapy service provided by an individual provider or a provider group, to individuals birth to 36 months.
The most common 116 services are the following:
Speech Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
In addition to the general provider requirements HERE, therapy services must also meet the following requirements:
Providers must possess the license, certification, and/ or credential as required by the State of California to practice in the field being offered.
Providers are required to have at least one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
Service implementation is primarily 1:1, in home, working with infants and their caregivers. Parents/ guardians must be present and participating in services unless other arrangements have been approved
Services should not be provided in a clinic or daycare setting unless approved and documented by the planning team
For other service ratios or locations, please discuss options with your Resource Coordinator
Over age 3 Specialized Therapeutic Services, Service Code 117 are defined as a therapy service provided by an individual provider or a provider group, to individuals over the age of 3.
Regulations for over 3 programs and service implementation differ from Early Start services
Services must be identified in the IPP as an identified need arising from the disability
Services may be time limited and evaluated for need on a more frequent basis
SDRC is the payer of last resort, which means that all other funding sources must be pursued and denial letters obtained prior to SDRC funding. For therapy services, this means that the family must go through their insurance, the school district, CCS, or other generic resources as applicable.
It is possible that there will be few to no referrals for over 3 therapy services, as most of the time a community partner is able to meet the needs of a child
Comprehensive Infant Education programs under service code 805 may also have therapeutic services or professional disciplines as part of the program, including speech, occupational, or physical therapy. You must have at least two disciplines and an infant educator in order to apply for therapy services under 805. Please speak to your resource coordinator for further information.
Other therapy needs may fall under other service codes. This could include medical equipment (DME), Communication Supports (AAC) and related assessments. Please reach out to your resource coordinator to learn more.
Ready to Apply?
After January 1, 2026 all applications for service codes 116 and 117 will go through the standard vendorization process. The steps can be found HERE.
Document instructions can be found HERE. Please do not submit these documents via email, you will receive them through the directory portal that gets set up in the first step.
116 and 117 services do not need a full program design, but should have a Scope of Work and a sample report. The template for the Scope of work is HERE. The checklist for the report is HERE.
After the completed application is approved, your resource coordinator will schedule an online orientation with you to review regulations and the referral and billing process.
Clinical Fellows for Speech Therapy
If you will be utilizing a Clinical Fellow, please fill out the "Use of Clinical Fellows" form and send to kristen.vandenbroek@sdrc.org along with their license and resume. Service Coordinators will also be confirming with client's family/caretaker that they approve the use of a Clinical Fellow to provide services.
Speech Language Pathologist Assistants for Speech Therapy
. If you will be utilizing a SLPA, please review the "Use of Speech Language Pathologist Assistants Procedures" and sign the "Use of Speech Language Pathologist Assistants Agreement Form" and send to kristen.vandenbroek@sdrc.org along with their license and resume. Service Coordinators will also be confirming with client's family/caretaker that they approve the use of a SLPA to provide services. Vendors are responsible for informing the Service Coordinator if there is a change of staffing from a SLPA to an SLP and visa versa as the rate and subcode will be different.
Assistive Technology in Early Start
For more information regarding Assistive Technology (service code 112), please follow this link: https://www.dds.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2024/04/Assistive_Technology_In_Early_Start_03292024.pdf. This directive allows for reimbursement for the evaluation and ordering of AAC devices for Early Start clients. If you are interested in becoming a vendor for service code 112, please email kristen.vandenbroek@sdrc.org