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California Early Start

a "how to" guide to help you navigate the application process for California Early Start.

The California Early Start Program provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers (birth through age 2) who have developmental delays or disabilities. The program connects eligible children and their families with services that support healthy development, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and family education. Early intervention during the first three years of life can significantly improve a child's development and long-term outcomes.

Am I eligible for the California Early Start Program?

Your child may qualify for Early Start if they:

  • Are under 3 years old (birth through 36 months).
  • Live in California.
  • Have a developmental delay in one or more of the following areas:
    • Cognitive development (learning)
    • Communication (speech and language)
    • Physical or motor development
    • Social or emotional development
    • Adaptive or self-help skills

Your child may also qualify if they:

  • Have a diagnosed medical condition that has a high probability of causing developmental delays, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, or vision impairment.
  • Meet California's criteria for certain established risk conditions.

Good to Know

  • There are no income limits to qualify.
  • Parents or guardians do not need to be employed.
  • Health insurance is not required to receive an evaluation.
  • A child's immigration or citizenship status is not used to determine eligibility.
  • Anyone can make a referral, including parents, guardians, doctors, childcare providers, hospitals, foster parents, or other caregivers.

For more information about eligibility, visit:

California Early Start Program
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

How do I apply for the California Early Start Program?

Unlike many assistance programs, there is no traditional application to complete. The process begins with a referral for an evaluation.

You can request an evaluation by:

  • Contacting your local Regional Center.
  • Asking your child's pediatrician or healthcare provider to submit a referral.
  • Contacting your local school district if your child has certain vision, hearing, or orthopedic impairments.
  • Calling the Early Start BabyLine for assistance.

To locate your Regional Center, visit:

Find Your Local Regional Center
https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup-rcs-by-county/

You can also learn more about the program here:

California Early Start Program
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

How long does it take to receive services?

Federal law requires Early Start evaluations and eligibility determinations to be completed within 45 days of receiving a referral whenever possible.

A typical timeline looks like this:

Step Typical Timeline
Referral received Day 1
Service coordinator contacts family Within several days
Developmental evaluations completed Within 45 days
Eligibility determination Within 45 days
IFSP meeting Within 45 days
Services begin Shortly after the IFSP is signed

Providing complete information and attending scheduled appointments can help prevent delays.

What do the application steps look like?

Step 1: Submit a referral

A parent, guardian, doctor, therapist, childcare provider, hospital, or another concerned individual submits a referral to the Regional Center.

Step 2: Speak with your Service Coordinator

A Service Coordinator will contact your family to:

  • Explain the Early Start program.
  • Gather information about your child.
  • Answer your questions.
  • Obtain permission to complete evaluations.
  • Schedule appointments.

Step 3: Complete your child's developmental evaluation

Qualified professionals will evaluate your child's development to determine whether they qualify for Early Start services.

Evaluations may assess:

  • Communication and language
  • Learning and cognitive development
  • Physical and motor skills
  • Social and emotional development
  • Adaptive or self-help skills
  • Hearing and vision, if appropriate

Step 4: Attend your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting

If your child is eligible, you'll work with your Service Coordinator and evaluation team to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The IFSP outlines:

  • Your family's concerns and priorities
  • Your child's developmental goals
  • Recommended services
  • How often services will be provided
  • Where services will take place

Step 5: Begin Early Start services

Once the IFSP is signed, services begin based on your child's individual needs.

Services may include:

  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Developmental intervention
  • Family training and education
  • Vision services
  • Hearing services
  • Nutrition services
  • Service coordination

Helpful Tip

Respond promptly to requests from your Service Coordinator and provide any requested documentation as soon as possible. Missing information or missed appointments can delay your child's evaluation and the start of services.

What documentation is required?

Your Regional Center may ask you to provide:

  • Your child's birth certificate or proof of age.
  • Proof that your family lives in California.
  • Parent or guardian identification.
  • Medical records related to your child's diagnosis or developmental concerns.
  • Previous developmental evaluations, if available.
  • Therapy or specialist reports, if applicable.
  • Insurance information, if available.

Not every family will need to provide every document. Your Service Coordinator will let you know exactly what is needed.

What should I expect after applying?

After your referral is received:

  • A Service Coordinator will contact your family.
  • Developmental evaluations will be scheduled.
  • Your child will be evaluated by qualified professionals.
  • You'll receive an eligibility determination.
  • If your child qualifies, an IFSP meeting will be scheduled.
  • Services will begin after your family agrees to the IFSP.

If your child is found ineligible

If your child does not qualify for Early Start, you have the right to:

  • Request mediation.
  • Request a due process hearing.
  • File a complaint.
  • Ask questions about other community resources or programs that may be available.

Your Service Coordinator can explain the appeal process and next steps.

What if I need to report a change to my eligibility?

Contact your Service Coordinator as soon as possible if any of the following changes occur:

  • Your family moves or your address changes.
  • Your phone number or contact information changes.
  • Your child receives a new medical diagnosis.
  • Your child's developmental needs change significantly.
  • There is a change in custody or guardianship.
  • Your family moves out of California.

Reporting changes promptly helps ensure there are no interruptions in your child's services.

Common FAQs

Is there a cost to participate?

There is no cost for referral, evaluation, assessment, service coordination, or IFSP development.

Some ongoing services may be billed to your private insurance or public insurance when allowed by law. Families will not be denied services because they cannot pay.

Who is not eligible?

Generally, children are not eligible if they:

  • Are age 3 or older (they may instead qualify for preschool special education services through their local school district).
  • Do not meet California's developmental eligibility requirements after evaluation.

Is the program available in languages other than English?

Yes. Early Start provides translated materials and interpreter services for many languages, including:

  • Spanish
  • Chinese
  • Vietnamese
  • Korean
  • Tagalog
  • Russian
  • Arabic
  • Armenian
  • Hindi
  • Hmong
  • Japanese
  • Portuguese
  • Urdu
  • And many others upon request

If you need language assistance, tell your Service Coordinator when you make your referral.

Can anyone refer a child?

Yes. Referrals may be made by:

  • Parents or guardians
  • Doctors or healthcare providers
  • Hospitals
  • Childcare providers
  • Foster parents
  • Social workers
  • Family members
  • Anyone who has concerns about a child's development

What happens when my child turns 3?

Children transition out of the Early Start Program at age 3. If your child may continue to need services, your Service Coordinator will help coordinate the transition to preschool special education or other community programs before your child's third birthday.

Who do I contact about my application status?

If you've already submitted a referral, contact your assigned Service Coordinator or the Regional Center handling your child's case.

If you have not yet been assigned a Service Coordinator, you can contact the Early Start BabyLine for assistance.

Early Start BabyLine

You can also find contact information for your Regional Center here:

Find Your Local Regional Center
https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup-rcs-by-county/

Additional Resources

California Early Start Program
https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

Find Your Local Regional Center
https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/lookup-rcs-by-county/

California Department of Developmental Services
https://www.dds.ca.gov/