EARLY START
If you think that your child or a child in
your care is not developing like other children or has delays, California Early
Start can help. 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.
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
Evaluation
services are available to all children who may be eligible for Early Start. 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 eligibility determination process. Parent-to-parent support and
resource information is also available through Early Start Family Resource
Centers.
California Children's Services (CCS) is a statewide program that
treats children with certain physical limitations and chronic health conditions
or diseases. Only certain conditions are covered by CCS. In general,
CCS covers medical conditions that are physically disabling or require medical,
surgical, or rehabilitative services.
The Family Resource Center Network
of CA supports families of children with disabilities, special healthcare needs,
and those at risk by ensuring the continuance, expansion, promotion and quality
of family-centered, parent-directed, family resource
centers.
Contact information for Women, Infants and Children
Supplemental Food Program (WIC) is provided in contacts/links as well as the
Social Security Office Locator for the Supplemental Security Income program
which provides financial assistance to disabled adults and children who qualify.
The Department of Social Services provides food stams for qualified
individuals and the contact informaton is provided in
contacts/links.
Please view contacts/links for the Department
of Developmental Services and several other community resources as
well.
For additional assistance/information, refer to the Getting Started
on Your Move section.