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.
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.
Infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months of age may be eligible for and benefit from early intervention services if one of the following factors is present:
Significant developmental delay in one or more of these areas:
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cognitive development, e.g., limited interest in the environment, limited interest in play and learning
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physical and motor development, e.g., hypertonia, dystonia, asymmetry and other orthopedic impairments
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communication development, e.g., limited sound repertoire, limited responses to communication with others
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emotional-social development, e.g., unusual responses to interactions, impaired attachment, self-injurious behavior
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adaptive development, e.g., feeding difficulties
Established risk conditions of known etiology or those conditions expected to result in significant developmental problems such as:
High risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of risk factors such as:
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prematurity (less than 32 weeks gestation and/or low birth weight of less than 1,500 grams)
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asphyxia or need for ventilator assistance
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central nervous system infection or abnormality
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biomedical insult (including, but not limited to, injury, accident or illness which may seriously or permanently affect developmental outcome), parent with a developmental disability
You or the family may contact the Santa Clarita Valley Early Start Program at (661) 298-3292 to begin the referral process. 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:
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a service coordinator is assigned
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an evaluation for eligibility is completed
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an assessment is conducted for program planning
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a peer parent contact is made available
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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)
The Santa Clarita Valley SELPA Early Start program has several components. The Parents and Children Together (PACT) program serves children with Low Incidence disabilities: Vision impairments, orthopedic impairments, or children with a hearing loss.
For a PACT brochure...click here
For additional information,
please call the Early Start Office at:
661-298-3292
For Transition Practices From Part C to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)...click here
Should you have any questions, please contact Marie Pierre mpierre@saugus.k12.ca.us, or you may call (661) 298-3292.