clients & families
serving children from birth to 36 months
Children experience significant growth in the first three years of
their life. While all children grow and develop at their own pace,
some experience delays in their development which can be a
cause for concern.
Early Intervention
Early intervention services ensure your child gets the best start possible and prevent or lessen the need for specialized services later on. Quickly identifying delays and risk factors in children and putting services in place, helps to reduce or eliminate problems that come from those delays. The program also supports families and caregivers in becoming competent and confident in helping their children learn and grow.
Early intervention services are provided through the California Early Start Program. The services are planned and delivered through a partnership between families and professionals to promote your child’s development. The goal is to help answer questions and concerns about each child’s development and to assure that infants and toddlers (ages 0-36 months) reach their highest potential.
Early Start services may include:
• Assistive Technology
• Audiology Services
• Family Training
• Counseling
• Home Visits
• Health Services
• Medical Services (determined by evaluations)
• Nursing Services
• Nutrition Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Psychological Services
• Service Coordination
• Sign Language/Cued Language Services
• Social Work Services
• Special Instruction
• Speech and Language Pathology
• Transportation and Related Costs
• Vision Service
To find out if your child (age 0-36 months) is eligible for CA Early Start services, you may:
Call us at 858-496-4318 to speak to our Early Start Intake Team or email us at esint@sdrc.org.
You may also call our partners, Exception Family Resource (EFRC), at 619-594-7416 to speak to
an EFRC Family Support Liaison.
Who qualifies for Early Start?
Any child 36 months and younger may be eligible. | Residents of San Diego or Imperial County
The child must have a delay of at least 25% in one or more of the following developmental areas:
• Nursing Services
• Cognitive
• Expressive communication
• Receptive communication
California Early Start is a federally funded program through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Child Find aims to locate and identify children who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing developmental delays of 25% or more, are considered at risk, or have a known risk condition as defined in the California Early Intervention Services Act.
The Child Find System and Referrals IDEA Part C regulations require each state to have a comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary system to provide early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. This system should include standards for proper identification, timelines, and coordination with primary referral sources, including the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program.
Early Start Services end the day before your child’s 3rd birthday. However, planning for transition out of Early Start typically begins six months before your child turns three to ensure a plan is in place to prepare you and your child for a change in services.
Your Service Coordinator and the IFSP team will coordinate a meeting with the school district where you live and develop a plan that best supports your child. At this meeting, you will review a variety of options that are available to all children in your community. Special education and regional center services for three years and older will also be discussed.
No matter what, our Early Start team is here to support you and your family during this important time. We’ll offer guidance, resources, and assistance to help your child thrive!
Check out our Early Start Brochure
Brochures are available in all threshold languages
Is your child reaching developmental milestones?
The following link to DDS will provide you with more detailed information on getting started with CA Early Start: Early Start Standardization Packet
Learn the Signs. Act Early – CDC
Transitioning out of Early Start: A Guide for Parents
Early Identification and Intervention Systems in California (Full Report) – the system of support
needed to identify and address developmental and behavioral concerns and delays.
Early Identification and Intervention Systems in California (Executive Summary) – Throughout the country, there is growing recognition of the importance of healthy child development in fostering school readiness and, by extension, social and economic success as adults.
Take a Minute…Relationships Matter – social and emotional development impacts relationships and the ability to express feelings and explore the world.
Persons with developmental disabilities will live productive and satisfying lives as valued members of their communities