How a child is referred to Every Child Achieves
All referrals come directly from the regional center. Here's the path from a family's first call to a child's first therapy session.
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To families
Because our program is 100% regional center funded, we are not able to accommodate outside clients who are seeking services directly. Every Child Achieves has no impact on where the regional center refers a child. A family may request Every Child Achieves as the organization providing services, but there are no guarantees.
In order to qualify for state funding under the Early Start guidelines, families must contact their local regional center to coordinate an initial evaluation in conjunction with Early Start requirements. Once your child is determined eligible, your service coordinator arranges the services outlined in your child's Individualized Family Service Plan.
Curious how this is paid for? Our funding comes entirely from California's Early Start Program — never from families, cash pay, or insurance.
Learn about our funding modelInquiring 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 StartEarly Start eligibility criteria
- Under 24 months of age at the time of referral, with a 33% delay in one or more areas of development;
- 24 months of age or older at the time of referral, with a 50% delay in one area of development or a 33% delay in two or more areas of development;
- Or an established risk condition of known etiology, with a high probability of resulting in delayed development.
Step by Step
From first call to first session
Contact your local regional center
Families who are not yet familiar with regional center, or who have not been assigned a service coordinator, must first contact their local regional center and complete the initial intake process.
Complete the evaluation
The regional center completes an evaluation to assess your child's developmental level, along with a review of your child's medical history and records.
Eligibility determination
Early Start eligibility determination may take up to 45 days from the point of referral.
Request Every Child Achieves
Families are able to request Every Child Achieves as the provider of services when going through the intake process with the regional center's service coordinator. A family may request ECA, but there are no guarantees — referrals come directly from the regional center.
Services begin in the natural environment
Once authorization has been processed, our interdisciplinary team begins services in your home, day-care, preschool, park, or wherever your child's day happens.
Finding Your Regional Center
We're vendored with six regional centers
Every Child Achieves supports families throughout the Greater Los Angeles region — the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, San Gabriel Valley, South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, and West Los Angeles. If you're not sure which regional center serves your area, the Department of Developmental Services offers a lookup by county.
Already working with a service coordinator?
Ask your regional center service coordinator about Every Child Achieves when discussing providers for your child's services.