For Children (Birth through 2 Years) with Disabilities and Their Families
A California Early Start Program

ACOE's California Early Start program provides free, early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, birth through two years of age, and their families, and helps young children with special needs to achieve their greatest potential.

Services emphasize the continued development of skills and need to be provided within the context of the family to be effective for children below the age of three years. Children and their families are visited regularly in the home or wherever the child spends his/her day by an Early Interventionist, and developmental play activities are used to support and promote the acquisition of skills.

Choice of services is determind by a multidisciplinary team, which includes parents. Parents can choose to decline any home services, group services, or family involvement activities.

Staff adhere to established guidelines and standards of the program when communicating with families, developing curriculum and learning environments,and providing for the physical and emotional well-being of all children.

Infants and toddlers, birth through 2 years of age, with one of the following:

Developmental delay in one or more of the following areas: physical, cognitive, language, adaptive, and/or social-emotional

Solely a visual, hearing, or severe orthopedic impairment; or any combination thereof

A diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay

Parents or legal guardians

Other family members

Physicians, other medical agencies and professionals, such as Public Health Services, California Children Services, etc.

Social Services

Regional Center

Referrals may be made at
any time.

Evaluation by qualified personnel determines a child's initial and continuing eligibility for services.

Ongoing assessment by a multidisciplinary team identifies the child's strengths and needs, including the needs, concerns, and priorities of the family to assist in their child's development.

Early education services based on the needs of the child and family are determined jointly by the family and multidisciplinary team, and specified in a written Individualized Family Service Plan.

Service coordination facilitiates, coordinates and monitors the delivery of services necessary to enhance the development of each infant or toddler being served for the duration of the child's eligibility.

Early education service options include family-focused services, small group activities with other toddlers (with or without the parents), and family involvement activities, such as support or parent education meetings. Other services may include consultation by a Speech Therapist, School Nurse, and Occupational Therapist.

Smooth transition to a preschool program is facilitiated by a plan to establish communication and cooperation between educators and the child's family.