Services and Support
Intake Process and Eligibility
If you have a developmental concern about your child or a family member, the Intake Department will be your first contact at Westside Regional Center. CLICK HERE to learn more about our eligibility process.
Welcome to the Early Start Program!
The first three years of life are an important period of development for all children. As children grow, they learn certain skills such as smiling, waving, or taking their first steps. These abilities are called developmental milestones, and most children achieve them by a certain age. Some infants and toddlers may need additional support to help them reach their full potential. These services and supports are available via the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.
- Full-Color Booklet
- Download in English
- Download in Spanish
- Download in Farsi/فارسی
- Printer-Friendly Booklet
- Download in English
- Download in Spanish
- Download in Farsi/فارسی
Services & Supports
Available services are listed below with a brief explanation of each support. Individuals may be eligible for services based upon need related to the nature of the qualifying developmental disability as identified and agreed to by the interdisciplinary planning team. This is not a complete listing. Other needs identified by assessment may identify other services. Services must be requested through the Individual Family Service Program Plan (IFSP) process. Please contact your service coordinator to discuss access to services.
Resources for Parents & Caregivers
Early Start Information Packet
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), with input from stakeholders, has created a new standardized information packet for consumers and their families going through the intake process, or anyone who is interested in learning more about California’s regional center system.
To get your copies of the information packets in a variety of languages, formats and modes of communication, visit the DDS website.
Early Start Parent Q & A (Question & Answer)
This Q & A session is facilitated by the Early Start Program Managers in collaboration with the Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (WFREC) and offers attendees the opportunity to ask any questions that come up as they navigate California’s Early Start Program. For more information please call the WFREC at (310) 258-4063 or email westsidefrec@gmail.com.
When: Every 4th Wednesday of the month
Time: 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Download the flyer: English, Spanish, Farsi/فارسی
Laptop & Hotspot Loans | LA County Public Library
You can now check out a kit with a Chromebook and wireless hotspot to access the internet (plus chargers) inside a handy carrying case, from any library location. Borrow for 3 weeks, with the option to renew, if available. Please call any library location to place a hold on a Laptop & Hotspot Loan Kit. A kit can be picked up at any open library or via Sidewalk Service. For more information, visit https://lacountylibrary.org/laptop/ .
Parents’ Rights – Early Start
Parents have rights and access to procedural safeguards to assure that early intervention services are provided in a manner appropriate to the child’s needs and concerns of the family. Procedural safeguards include confidentiality, access to records, evaluation and assessment, individual family service plans, and periodic and annual individual family service plan review. We encourage families to read the booklet, Parents’ Rights: An Early Start Guide for Families, to learn about their rights under the Early Start Program. Additional information is provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) by visiting dds.ca.gov/services/early-start.
Westside Family Resource & Empowerment Center
The Westside Family Resource and Empowerment Center (WFREC) is housed within the same building and works in collaboration with the Westside Regional Center, local school districts, and community-based organizations that provide supports and services to children and their families. The WFREC is staffed by experienced parents and family members who are qualified to provide emotional, technical, and informational support to families who have an infant, child, or young adult with a disability, chronic illness, or other health care need.
They offer a variety of support groups where parents have the opportunity to meet and learn from other parents. These groups are designed to provide information, resources, community, and hope. When families share common concerns and experiences, the support can be uniquely meaningful. They also sponsor training and workshops to help families learn how to understand and navigate the often-times complex systems of care in California. Watch their welcome video to learn more.
For more information, please call (310) 258-4063 or visit linktr.ee/westsidefrec
Training, Events, and Conferences
Westside Regional Center (WRC) sponsors training, conferences, workshops, and events for parents, individuals we serve, service providers, and other professionals within our community. Visit our calendar of events for more information.
Trainings and Conferences: In the Community
WRC encourages individuals with disabilities and family members to be empowered and informed through participation in trainings and conferences offered within the special needs community.
WRC may fund for tuition or conference registration fees up to a maximum of $300 for trainings and/or conferences per year. For adults receiving WRC services, funding may include lodging and/or transportation costs when authorized. Funding for parents or caregivers does not cover the cost of lodging or transportation. Check with your service coordinator or the WFREC to inquire about training and conference opportunities.
Exiting the Early Start Program
The process of exiting the Early Start Program and beginning new services or programs at age three is called “transition.” The process may start as early as a child’s second birthday by providing families with information at the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting. Transition services are intended to support and prepare a parent or caregiver and their child to exit the Early Start Program by the child’s third birthday.
Transition Conference
When a child is 30 to 32 months of age, the parent or caregiver will participate in a Transition Conference (meeting) with representatives from their local school district and their Early Start SC. This meeting is intended to address the necessary steps to support your child during the transition out of the Early Start Program into preschool services and other community programs. A transition plan is created during the Transition Conference explaining procedures, activities, timelines, and responsible parties. During this meeting, school representatives may provide a general overview of Special Education and related services. Your Early Start SC will also review the eligibility requirements for ongoing regional center services under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act.
Services After Age Three
If your family would like to pursue the continuation of services after your child exits the Early Start Program at age three, there are options:
- Regional Center services under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act
- Special Education services under Part B of IDEA
- Community Programs
The eligibility requirements for these services are different for every agency or program. Your child may qualify for both programs (regional center and special education) should they meet the criteria.
Understanding the Diagnosis: A Guide for Families
Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.
Receiving a diagnosis of a developmental disability comes with a lot of information, paperwork, appointments, changes, and feelings. You may have many questions regarding developmental disabilities. As you look for answers, you will encounter information about the various conditions, their causes, and possible treatments. All of this information may make it challenging to organize options and begin to choose a treatment plan that best fits your family.
It is natural to want to identify the single root cause of the diagnosis. Many families may battle with feelings of guilt and/or shame. Please understand that these diagnoses are complex and there may not be a single factor that has been identified as the cause. Know that families and caregivers can be strong advocates and have high expectations of a person/family member with the disability.
Westside Regional Center anticipates supporting you and your family as you proceed from the initial diagnosis to ongoing support services. You are not alone in this process. For additional information about diagnosis, you may contact your service coordinator, WRC’s Staff Psychologist, Kaely Shilakes, Psy.D at 310-258-4157, or click on the following documents below:
| Title | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding Autism: A Guide For Families | English | Spanish | Farsi |
| Understanding Cerebral Palsy: A Guide For Families | English | Spanish | Farsi |
| Understanding Down Syndrome: A Guide For Families | English | Spanish | Farsi |
| Understanding Epilepsy: A Guide For Families | English | Spanish | Farsi |
| Understanding Intellectual Disability: A Guide For Families | English | Spanish | Farsi |
Community Resources
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – Early Start webpage
- Early Start Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Effective Early Childhood Transitions: A Guide for Transition at Age Three – Early Start to Preschool [English] [Spanish] [Farsi/فارسی]
- Parents Helping Parents – Early Childhood
- Parents Helping Parents – Early Start Information Packets