Westside Regional Center (WRC) will initiate an intake process to determine if your child meets eligibility conditions for the Early Start Program. WRC looks into a child’s developmental, social, and medical history. This information may come from outside sources or from in-home interviews, examinations, and testing. There is no cost to you for any of the tests or other services that we provide during the intake process. Below is a step-by-step overview of this process.

Step 1

Family members, physicians, schools, and/or hospitals may contact the Intake Department at WRC to refer a baby or young child.

Step 2

You will complete the intake application with any records, including private evaluations and other pertinent medical records. You will be asked to complete and sign parent consent forms, which are essential to complete the process.

Step 3

You will be contacted to schedule evaluations that may take place at the home, school, and/or WRC. These include (1) family intake evaluation by an Intake Counselor, (2) developmental evaluation, and (3) other evaluations as needed (e.g. speech/language, medical, etc.).

Step 4

An eligibility team will meet to review your child’s records and evaluations. You are invited to be present at this meeting. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a letter informing you of your child’s eligibility status. If not eligible, the intake team will provide you with appropriate community resources. If you disagree with the eligibility decision, you have the right to appeal the decision.