DEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS

Cost should never stand in the way of getting the right care for your child. In California, there are free evaluations and services available through the Early Start program, Regional Centers, and public schools. These options can help families access developmental assessments, therapies such as speech and occupational therapy, and school-based support plans at no cost. While every child’s needs and eligibility are different, my goal is to share these trusted pathways so families know where to start and how to find support without the added burden of cost.

EARLY INTERVENTION

At-a-Glance:

  • Early Intervention (Early Start, Ages 0–3) → Free evaluations and therapies (speech, OT, PT, family support) to help infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

Early Intervention (Early Start, Ages 0–3)

California’s Early Start Program offers early intervention services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or are at risk for a disability. After a free evaluation, eligible children and families receive an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) tailored to their needs. Services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, family training, and developmental support, all coordinated by a dedicated service coordinator. The goal is to help children build critical skills during their earliest years and support families in caring for their child’s development.

At-a-Glance:

  • Speech Services → Available through Early Start, Regional Centers, or schools for children with communication, feeding, or language needs.

Speech Services

Speech and language therapy is often available through Regional Centers, the Early Start Program, or the public school system, depending on a child’s age and needs. Services may focus on helping children develop stronger communication skills, support feeding or swallowing when needed, and encourage social interaction. Families can access speech evaluations and therapy free of charge if their child qualifies through Early Start, Regional Center eligibility, or school-based assessments.

At-a-Glance:

  • School-Based Evaluations (IEPs & 504 Plans) → Public schools provide free testing to determine if students qualify for special education services (IEP) or accommodations (504 Plan).

🌟 School-Based Evaluations (IEPs & 504 Plans)

Public schools are required by law to provide free evaluations if there is a concern that a child may need extra support due to a disability. These assessments can identify whether a student qualifies for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which provides specialized services and supports, or a 504 Plan, which offers accommodations to help a student fully participate in school. Eligibility may include challenges with learning, speech and language, attention, health conditions, or developmental differences. Families can request an evaluation directly from their child’s school, and if eligible, a plan will be developed to support the student’s educational success.

👉 Would you like me to also create a shorter “at-a-glance” list version of these (like quick blurbs or call-outs), so families can skim the hub easily before clicking into the full details?

At-a-Glance:

  • Regional Center Evaluations → Free assessments to see if a child qualifies for developmental disability services and supports.

Regional Center Evaluations

In California, Regional Centers provide free evaluations to determine whether a child may qualify for services related to a developmental disability. These assessments look at areas such as learning, communication, self-care, and daily functioning. Children may be eligible if they have a qualifying condition such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, epilepsy, or other developmental concerns that significantly impact everyday life. For younger children under age 5, Regional Centers may also offer provisional eligibility if delays are present but a full diagnosis cannot yet be made. These evaluations are the first step in accessing ongoing support and services.

Regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. There is no charge for the diagnosis and eligibility assessment.

Regional Centers

California has 21 regional centers with more than 40 offices located throughout the state. Both geographic accessibility and population density were considered when selecting locations for the 21 regional centers. The catchment area boundaries for the regional centers conform to county boundaries or groups of counties, except in Los Angeles County, which is by health districts and not by county.Find your Regional Center by address or zip code here.

  • Web: https://www.elarc.org/Home
    To apply for services: https://www.elarc.org/People-We-Serve/Apply-for-Services

    Executive Director: Gloria Wong
    Phone: 626-299-4700

    Early Start Intake: 626-299-4777

    Counties Served: The health districts of Alhambra, East Los Angeles, Northeast, and Whittier within the county of Los Angeles.

  • Web: https://lanterman.org/
    To Apply for services: https://lanterman.org/getting-started/

    Executive Director: Srbui Ovsepyan
    Phone: 213-383-1300

    Early Start Intake: 213-252-8610

    Address: 3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90010

    Counties Served: The Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center serves the health districts of Central, Glendale, Hollywood-Wilshire, and Pasadena within the county of Los Angeles

  • Web: https://www.harborrc.org/
    To Apply for Services: https://www.harborrc.org/services/apply-for-services/

    Executive Director: Patrick Ruppe
    Ph: 310-540-1711

    Early Start Intake: 310-543-7927

    Counties Served: The Harbor Regional Center serves the health districts of Bellflower, Harbor, Long Beach, and Torrance within the city of Los Angeles.

  • Web: https://sclarc.org/
    To Apply for Services: https://intake.sclarc.org/AppForm.aspx

    Executive Director: Dexter A. Henderson
    Ph: 213-744-7000

    Early Start Intake: 213-744-8807

    Counties Served: The health districts of Compton, San Antonio, South, Southeast, and Southwest within the county of Los Angeles

  • Web: https://westsiderc.org/
    To Apply for Services: https://westsiderc.org/intake/

    Executive Director: Jane Borochoff
    Ph: 310-258-4000

    Early Start Intake: 310-258-4096

    Counties Served: The health districts of Inglewood and Santa Monica-West within the county of Los Angeles

Affordable Care Resources