How to get early intervention in Los Angeles
If you are worried about how your child under three is developing, you can start the process yourself today. Here is exactly who to call in Los Angeles County, what happens next, and what it costs.
$0
To families
Start with your regional center — not with us
In California, all early intervention for children under three flows through the regional center system. Regional centers complete the evaluation, determine Early Start eligibility, and authorize which agency provides therapy. Providers such as Every Child Achieves cannot accept families directly, and we have no influence over where a child is referred.
You can ask your service coordinator for Every Child Achieves by name when providers are being discussed. Your preference is considered, but the referral decision belongs to the regional center.
What it costs
Nothing. Early Start evaluation, service coordination, and authorized therapy are funded by the State of California. Every Child Achieves is 100% state funded and does not bill families, accept cash pay, or bill insurance for these services.
What is California Early Start?Inquiring about services?
All referrals and funding for our services come directly from the regional center, so we are not able to accept service requests directly from families. To start services, please contact your local regional center — and feel free to request Every Child Achieves as your provider during intake.
Learn more about Early StartRegional centers serving Los Angeles County
- North Los Angeles County Regional Center
San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley - Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
Central Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena - San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys - Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center
East Los Angeles and surrounding cities - South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
South Los Angeles - Westside Regional Center
West Los Angeles and the beach cities - Harbor Regional Center
Long Beach, Torrance, and the Harbor area
Step by Step
Six steps from first worry to first session
Find the regional center for your address
Los Angeles County is divided among seven regional centers, each covering specific communities. The Department of Developmental Services publishes a lookup by county and ZIP code.
Call and ask for an Early Start intake
You do not need a doctor's referral or a diagnosis. Tell intake your child's age and what you are noticing about their development.
Complete the free evaluation
The regional center evaluates your child's development and reviews medical records. There is no charge to the family for evaluation or service coordination.
Get an eligibility decision within 45 days
Early Start eligibility determination may take up to 45 days from the point of referral.
Build the IFSP with your service coordinator
If your child qualifies, you and your coordinator write an Individualized Family Service Plan naming the therapies, frequency, and outcomes.
Services start where your child's day happens
The regional center authorizes a vendored provider to deliver therapy in your home, day-care, preschool, or park — in person, in the natural environment.
Where We Serve
Every Child Achieves across greater Los Angeles
Every Child Achieves is vendored with six regional centers and supports families throughout the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and Central, East, South, and West Los Angeles. Every session happens in person, in the child's natural environment — our funding contracts do not cover telehealth, and families tell us they want a clinician on the floor with their child.
If your child has already been referred to us by a regional center, you can reach our team through our contact form and tell us your service coordinator's name.
Pediatric therapists: this is where the work happens
Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists join us for in-person, natural-environment care across greater Los Angeles.