Early Start Services, Funding and the Role of the Regional Center
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Introduction
California Early Intervention Services Act (CEISA) gave regional centers the primary responsibility for implementing the early intervention program. Acting as the central coordinating agency for a large and complex network of community services and supports, regional centers are charged with the following responsibilities:
- Outreach activities to identify young children who may need early intervention services.
- Assessment and evaluation to determine eligibility for early intervention services.
- Development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), through a family centered planning process.
- Coordination of services and supports to help young children and their families achieve the desired outcomes established for the child.
- Assistance in finding and using community and other resources.
- Support for and facilitation of the inclusion of young children with disabilities with their non-disabled peers.
- Development of innovative and cost-effective services and supports that are flexible, individualized and promote community integration.
- Assurance of the quality and effectiveness of services and supports provided to young children and their families.
- Information, referral and family support.
Regional Center Responsibility for Purchasing Services
Because of our responsibility to be careful stewards of public funds, the Regional Center works with families to investigate all available natural and generic options, including the use of private insurance, when these options can meet the child’s needs.
If one or more of the desired outcomes in a child’s IFSP cannot be achieved using natural supports or generic services, the Regional Center may purchase the service or support from a community service provider. If the funding is approved, we send the provider an electronic authorization to provide the service. The Center only reimburses providers for services that are included in the IFSP and provided after an authorization is received.
Continuation of funding for a service purchased by the Regional Center may only be authorized if there is evidence that the service is helping achieve or maintain the desired outcomes outlined in the IFSP. In all cases, before funding is initiated or continued, the family must indicate agreement by signing the IFSP or an IFSP amendment.
All purchases made by the Regional Center must be consistent with our service standards, which are approved by our board of directors and the Department of Developmental Services. In extraordinary circumstances, the Center may make a purchase that is an “exception” to a service standard. A request for an exception must be reviewed and approved by the Center’s executive director or his or her designee.
Funding Requirements for Early Start Services
In carrying out our responsibilities, regional centers are also required to be responsible stewards of the public funds. More specifically, regional centers are required to:
- Live within our budget each year.
- Ensure that the Regional Center does not pay for services and supports that should be provided by other agencies, such as local school districts, Medi-Cal, California Children’s Services, Social Security and private health insurance.
- Help families gain access to typical community resources and develop natural supports.
- Secure services only from qualified service providers.
- Locate or develop innovative and cost-effective ways to achieve desired outcomes identified in the IFSP.
- Continue purchasing services only where there is both reasonable progress in achieving the IFSP outcomes and agreement between the family and the Regional Center that the services should be continued.
- Develop and purchase specialized services only if natural environments, generic services and supports, or typical community resources do not meet the child’s needs as specified in his or her IFSP.
- If two services or supports are available and would be equally effective in meeting the needs of a child, the Regional Center is required to purchase the less costly alternative.
Examples of Early Start Services
The services received through Early Start are based on the child’s assessed developmental needs and the family’s concerns and priorities as determined by each child’s Individualized Family Service Plan.
Early Start services may include:
- Assistive technology
- Audiology
- Family training, counseling and home visits
- Health services
- Medical services for diagnostic/evaluation purposes only
- Nursing services
- Nutrition services
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychological services
- Respite services when necessary for the child’s parents to access Early Start trainings or workshops
- Service coordination
- Sign language and cued language services
- Social work services
- Special instruction
- Speech and language services
- Transportation and related costs
- Vision services
FAQ
Get Answers
What are generic services?
There are many public agencies that are required by law to provide services to children with, or at risk for, developmental delays or disabilities. These include county mental health agencies, Medi-Cal and California Children’s Services. We refer to these agencies as generic agencies and to the services and supports they provide as generic services.
What are natural environments?
CEISA requires regional centers to ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, early intervention services are provided in the natural environment and include the use of natural supports and generic community resources. Natural environments are settings that are typical for other children of the same age who do not have developmental delays or disabilities. These would include the family home, a babysitter’s home, or a community setting such as a local preschool, a neighborhood play group or a public park.
What are natural supports?
Excerpt from the Department of Developmental Services’ publication, “How to Develop Natural Supports”
As defined in the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institution Code, Part (e): “Natural Supports” means personal associations and relationships typically developed in the community that enhance the quality and security of life for people, including, but not limited to, family relationships; friendships reflecting the diversity of the neighborhood and the community…
What does “Natural Supports” really mean?
Think about all the people in your life – friends, family, co-workers – who are important to you and on whom you depend. Relationships with these people are your natural supports.
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