Do you have concerns about your child's: 

• HEARING
• TALKING
• WALKING
• SEEING
• EATING 

Your child may be eligible for early intervention services through the California Early Start Program.  

What is California Early Start? 

• An early intervention service federally mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  
• A statewide interagency system of coordinated early intervention services for infants and toddlers with or at risk of disabilities or development delay and their families. 
• An early intervention service for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months of age and their families who may be eligible for and benefit from early intervention services. 

There are two ways to access early intervention services: 

1.  Regional Centers:

Infants and toddlers, at risk or with developmental delays or disabilities may be eligible to receive servicdes through California's 21 community-based regional centers.  The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) contracts with non-profit corporations that operate regional centers.  In the South Bay the regional centers are:                                    

• Westside Regional Center
• Harbor Regional Center  

 2.  Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs): 

Infants and toddlers who have vision, hearing, and severe orthopedic impairments (or a combination of these disabilities) receive individually designed early intervention services from local education agencies (LEAs) such as school districts and county offices of education. Across the state, special education local plan area (SELPA administrators coordinate early childhood special education programs, which include early intervention services.  In the South Bay contact our Early Start Coordinator, Jennifer Fisher at (310) 944-3217 x 247  or  email her at fisher_jennifer@lacoe.edu