1. CALIFORNIA EARLY START PROGRAM

2. California Early Start
Originally the Education for Handicapped Children Act (1975)
Federal Act known as IDEA Part C (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Multiple revisions since inception-latest one was in 2009

3. CA Early Start Lead Agencies
California Department of Education (CDE)
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Other collaborating agencies include:
Family Resource Networks
Public Health
Social Services
Head Start

4. Funding Information
Early Start (ES) is given funds from the Federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)-the actual costs to administer the programs exceed the funding
CA General Fund makes up the difference
DDS manages and funds all Early Start (ES) and ongoing Regional Center (RC) programs

5. Early Start requires that an infant or toddler must:
Be between birth and 36 months of age
Need early intervention services
Meet eligibility criteria

6. Two Eligibility Criteria
Have a significant developmental delay
2. Have an established risk condition with a known probability of causing a disability or delay, or a solely low incidence disability

7. 1. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
Defined as a significant difference between the infant or toddler’s current level of functioning and the expected level of development for his or her age in one or more of the following skill areas:
Communication (includes receptive and expressive language)
Cognitive
Self-Help/Adaptive
Social-Emotional
Physical (includes fine and gross motor) A B C

8. 2. ESTABLISHED RISK CONDITION
Certain chromosome and genetic disorders such as inborn errors of metabolism
*Trisomy 21/Down syndrome
Head or central nervous system injuries
*Traumatic Brain Injury *Near Drowning Survivor
Certain congenital malformations
*Microcephaly * Severe cleft lip/palate
Solely low incidence disability (served by education only)
*Blind *Deaf *Blind/Deaf * Orthopedic impairments

9. How Eligibility is Determined
Multidisciplinary Team:
RC staff, school staff, private vendors
Assessment Tools:
Mullen Scales of Early Learning
Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP)
Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (E-LAP)
Preschool Language Scale IV or V
Assess in all five areas
Must be determined within 45 days of referral

10. Age Criteria for Eligibility (changes in TBL implemented in 2009)
For kids up to 24 months of age-
Defined as developmental delay of 33% in one or more of five developmental areas, or
Established risk
For kids 24 months to 36 months of age-
Defined as developmental delay of 50% in one of five developmental areas, or
Developmental delay of 33% in two of five areas or
24 month age break is determined by the child’s age at time of referral.

11. Education Eligibility (Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Local Education Agency (LEA)
LEA serves ES children who are Solely Low Incidence (SLI) i.e. hearing, vision or orthopedic handicaps.
LEA can accept dual eligible children for ES services if they are under their “cap”.
Child has to meet RC ES eligibility first, then LEA can apply their criteria (Two 25% or one 50% delay).
If a child does not meet RC criteria and is not SLI, they cannot be found eligible by LEA.

12. The Stanislaus County Early Start Experience
Brochures at
schools, physicians,
agencies
Educational
Presentations
Inter-Agency
Meetings and
Conferences
Discharge
Rounds
Child Find
Health Professionals
Human Services
Family & Friends
VMRC
MCS
SELPA
HRIF
STANISLAUS
SELPA
FAMILY RESOURCE
NETWORK
Early Start Evaluation Station
Interim
Service
Coordinator
Letter To
Parents
Family
Interview
Comprehensive Evaluation
Intake assessment
Prevention Program
Early Start
Ineligible
Early Start
Eligible
Recommendations
IFSP Process
Information/Referrals

13. What happens after eligibility determination
If eligible, the child is assigned a Service Coordinator
An IFSP is written and services provided
If not eligible, the child is referred to:
Prevention Resource and Referral Program (PRRS)
Community resources

14. What is an IFSP? Individual Family Service Plan
An outcome-based written plan for providing early intervention services
Family Driven-based upon the child’s and family’s assessed strengths and needs
Developed through a multidisciplinary team process which includes the parent
Includes types of services and
method of delivery, and is
completed within 45 days of
referral.

15. Early Start Required Services include:
Assistive Technology Devices
Audiology
Family training, counseling, home visiting
Health Services
Diagnostic
Medical Services Nursing Services
Nutrition Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Psychological Services
Service Coordination
Social Work
Special Instruction
Speech/Language Pathology
Transportation (if EI related)
Vision Services

16. Use of Private Health Insurance
For ongoing services parents are required to use their private insurance.
The private insurance will determine if the need for OT, PT or Speech is medical or developmental and either provide service or a denial.
RC is still obligated to provide services on IFSP in 45 days from date of IFSP.
Possible issues may arise with 2 providers involved with some children, one from private insurance, other a vendor to meet IFSP frequency.

17. Other Early Start Services (can be listed on the IFSP)
Defined as services provided to an eligible infant or toddler, or their families, by other state or public or private state entities and subject to their own separate eligibility and entitlement regulations, such as:
Medical services (CCS; Medi-Cal)
Family Reunification (Social Services)
Food assistance (WIC, food stamps)
Childcare (private daycare)

18. Transition Planning
At age 2 ½ years, the Service Coordinator begins working with the family to identify and access services the child may need at 36 months, such as
Regional Center Special Education
Head Start Other community Services

19. The Third Birthday
Services, if needed, must be in place by the child’s third birthday
If eligible for Special Education Services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must be completed
If eligible for Regional Center services, an Individual Program Plan (IPP) must be completed

20. Service Options for Children at age 3
State preschool
Special Education services
Head Start program
Private community preschools
Center based Non-Public school
Home services
Regional Center services
Combination of above options

21. Referring a Child Age 36 months or older for Regional Center Assessment
Regional Center will assess to determine if child has a condition qualifying for ongoing services
Speech delay alone is not a qualifying condition at age 36 months
Timeline to determine ongoing eligibility is 120 days

22. Eligibility for RC after age three
Person must have a Developmental Disability associated with:
I. Intellectual Disability (formerly Mental Retardation)
II. Autism
III. Cerebral Palsy
IV. Epilepsy
V. Other disabilities requiring treatment similar to mental retardation
Onset prior to age 18
Expected to continue indefinitely
Significant limitation in at least 3 areas (communication, self-care, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity, for independent living, economic self-sufficiency

23. Where to refer Make Early Start and over 3 referrals to:
Valley Mountain Regional Center
fax:
Need to discuss the referral with the parent as they will need to give their written consent for any assessments.

24. Thank you and enjoy your evening!