The Early Start Program is California’s response to federal legislation ensuring that Early Start services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system of services that are available statewide. Early intervention services are provided under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C —the Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.
Early Intervention Services
To see the list of services provided by Regional Centers in the Department of Developmental Services website, click here. 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
- service coordination (case management)
- social work services
- special instruction
- speech and language services
- transportation and related cost
- vision services
Your Little One is a BIG Deal.
SCLARC Early Start Information Packet
- To see a copy of the SCLARC Early Start Information Packet in English, please click here.
- To see a copy of the SCLARC Early Start Information Packet in Spanish, please click here.
- To find additional information and resources, please visit the Department of Developmental Services’ website at: https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/
Transition Services
“The Transition process is an important element of the Early Start experience. It is presented to families as a critical program component during their earliest introduction to early intervention services. The Transition conference involves preparation, planning, and implementation; the Service Coordinator explains the federal and state regulations that govern the transition timelines, and these activities are individualized and based on each child’s and family’s needs.”
“Transitions in life can offer opportunities for discovery.” – Robbie Shell
Workshops and Events
To provide additional support to the families whose children are part of the Early Start Program, SCLARC offers workshops and events that parents can attend to help support them and their child’s needs. Visit our calendar page to view upcoming workshops and events.
Is there a cost for Early Start services?
There is no cost for evaluation, assessment, or service coordination. Public or private insurance is accessed for medically necessary therapy services including speech, physical, and occupational therapies. Required Early Start services that are not covered by insurance will be purchased or provided by regional centers or local education agencies.
An Annual Family Program Fee (AFPF) may be assessed in some circumstances. Effective July 1, 2011, parents whose adjusted gross family income is at or above 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and who are receiving qualifying services through a Regional Center for their children ages 0-18, shall be assessed an AFPF as prescribed by Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4785. There is one AFPF assessed yearly per family, regardless of the number of children in the household receiving services.
Information on transferring cases to other Regional Centers
Regional Centers service specific catchment areas. When an individual served by the regional center moves into another regional center’s catchment area, the case should be transferred to the regional center serving the area. Therefore, if you recently moved into or out of SCLARC’s catchment area you should contact the assigned Service Coordinator and request the case to be transferred to the appropriate regional center. To see a list of the zip codes in SCLARC’s catchment area, please visit our SCLARC Community page. If you have questions with regards to the status of any case transfer please contact our Case Transfer Department by phone (213) 744-8840 or by email Transfers@sclarc.org
Links and Resources
- Find Your Regional Center – Zip Code Lookup for LA County Regional Centers.
- What is Early Start?
- AFPF – Regional Center Annual Family Program Fee.
- WIC – Women, Infants & Children nutrition program.
- CalFresh – Food stamps program.
- Food Pantry Locator – Zip Code Lookup.
- 211 LA County – Information and referrals for all health and human services in LA County.
- Medi-Cal – Public health insurance program for low-income children, pregnant women, and families.
- COACH for Kids – Free mobile health care services.
- Inclusive Early Education Resources
- Impact Inclusion Workgroup
- St. John’s Well Child & Family Center – Medical, mental health, and social services.
- IHSS – In-home Supportive Services Program for individuals over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind.
- Take a Minute: Relationships Matter
- First 5 LA – Parenting Topics.
- CDC Developmental Milestones Checklists.
- Positive Parenting Tips Flyer.
- Read Aloud 15 Minutes Flyer.