Early Start » Early Start Information

Early Start Information

Early Start is the statewide interagency system of coordinated early intervention services for infants and toddlers with or at risk of disabilities or developmental delay and their families. The Santa Clarita Valley SELPA works closely with the North Los Angeles County Regional Center to ensure that infants and toddlers with disabilities have access to early intervention services.  Infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months of age may be eligible for and benefit from early intervention services.
 

Para Información en Español favor de llamar a Delmy Calderon @ 661-510-7987

The Santa Clarita Valley SELPA Early Start Program is for families of infants and toddlers from birth to three years of age who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Orthopedically Impaired, and/or Visually Impaired.
 
 
Early Start photo
Services are provided within the context of the child's daily activities and routines.  Eligible children and families may receive a variety of early intervention services; some children may need only one or two services. 
 
Early intervention services may include:
  • Audiology Services
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialized Instruction
  • Family Training, Counseling, and Home Visits
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Orthopedic Impairment-Specialized Instruction
  • Physical Therapy
  • Speech and Language Services
  • Transportation
  • Visual Impairment-Specialized Instruction, Orientation & Mobility
 
 
Early Start photo
Our Multidisciplinary Team includes:
  • Audiologist
  • Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Orientation & Mobility Specialist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Service Coordinator
  • Spanish Language Interpreter
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
  • Orthopedic Impairment Specialist
  • Teacher of the Visually Impaired
  • You-the parent, as your child's primary teacher!
 
 

North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) provides Early Start services based on an infant or toddler having one or more of the following conditions: 

  • An Established Risk condition.  This is a diagnosed medical condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, and/or disability.

  • A one-third delay in one or more area of development before 24 months, or at 24 months of age or older, either a fifty percent delay in one area or a one-third delay in two or more developmental areas.

  • If your child is not eligible for Early Start, your child will be considered for California's Prevention Program, which provides developmental monitoring to children birth through 35 months of age with high risk conditions, and certain developmental delays (children between 24 and 35 months of age with a 33-49% delay in one developmental domain) that do not otherwise qualify them for Early Start.

 

Early Start Referral:    
To begin the referral process, fill out the EARLY START INQUIRY FORM or contact the Santa Clarita Valley Early Start Program at (661) 294-5332 or [email protected]
 
If you have concerns about a child in your care, discuss your concerns with the family.  Parental concerns mandate serious attention; however, the absence of parental concerns does not preclude the possibility of serious developmental delays.  A diagnosis of a disorder is not necessary for referral.
 
Within 45 days after the referral is received:
  • a service coordinator is assigned;
  • an evaluation for eligibility is completed;
  • an assessment is conducted for program planning;
  • a peer parent contact is made available;
  • a meeting will be held to develop the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to initiate child and family services (the primary health care provider's input is an important part of this process).

Early intervention services are federally mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and in California by the California Early Intervention Services Act. California Early Start provides many necessary early intervention and related services based upon the assessed needs of the child and the family. Services may be provided in the home, child care or other community settings where typically developing children participate.

The Santa Clarita Valley SELPA Early Start Program is a vendor of the North Los Angles County Regional Center and provides services to families of students with multiple disabilities that include hearing loss.  For information about filing a complaint or an appeal,  go to the Department of Developmental Services website:  www.dds.ca.gov/complaints or call Department of Developmental Services at:  916-654-1987

Early Start Transition Video
Early Start Transition Video
Transition