Early Start & Regional Center

Early Start & Regional Center

In California, early intervention services are provided through Early Start, which is collaboration between the Department of Developmental Services and Regional Centers. Regional Centers are nonprofit corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide and coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Regional Center has two types of programs: Early Start and Prevention Program, which provides services for children zero-3 years old, and Lanterman Act Services for 3 years old through adult.

There are multiple avenues for children to be referred to the regional center for assessments and services. Infants and toddlers can be referred to the Regional Center for evaluation and assessment by a parent/caregiver, educator, therapist, physician, CASA, etc. Anyone can refer a parent to regional center.

There are 21 Regional Centers throughout California, 7 are located within the greater Los Angeles area, that provide resources to help find and access the many services available to individuals and their families. Regional Centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility for intervention services and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed due to a developmental delay. There is no charge for the diagnosis and eligibility assessment.

Regional Centers are required to:

• Evaluate and determine eligibility within 45 days after intake

• Develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

• Vender out appropriate early intervention services at no cost in a fami

• ly-centered manner Vendor services in inclusive or natural environments to the maximum extent possible to achieve child and family outcomes stated on the IFSP (community settings, childcare, gym class, park, store, etc.)

• Provide services in collaboration with multiple agencies

• Provide a service coordinator to help family during development, implementation, and evaluation of IFSP outcomes

• Coordinate transition to local educational agency when child is approaching age 3

While the Regional Center coordinator does work to link appropriate services, CASA’s may need to provide additional coordination needed to connect intervention service providers to medical or other caretakers.

See Module 4, Handout 6: Services Provided to Infants/Toddlers through Early Start

<<<Back to Page 11 Page 12 Continue to page 13>>