Early Education & Inclusion Support

How to Access Early Start Services through Far Northern Regional Center
in Plumas County

Who qualifies for Early Start services through Far Northern Regional Center?

To qualify for Early Start services, children must be under the age of 3 (not had their third birthday ) and have either a:

Explore the sections below to learn how your child can qualify for services.

If you are ready to begin applying for Early Start Services, access our step by step guide.

developmental delay

1. Understanding Developmental Delays

Developmental delays are common, affecting about 1 in 6 children. While every child develops skills at their own pace, a developmental delay may be present if a child is unable to do things that most children can do by a certain age. Children with developmental delays often need extra support to reach key milestones.

Developmental delays can occur in one or more of the following areas:

Cognitive

thinking and learning

Expressive Communication

talking and expressing self

Physical & Motor Development

walking, moving, seeing & hearing

Adaptive Skills

skills that help everyday living

Receptive Communication

understanding language

Social & Emotional

feeling, expressing & interacting with others

First 5 Plumas has free online developmental check-up tools for children 0-5 years. These tools help you screen important areas of development. The Developmental Milestones check covers the first five areas and the Social Emotional Skills screen focuses on the last area.

2. A developmental delay can also be a sign of a disability.

The following conditions are considered to be a developmental disability:

• Autism

• Cerebral palsy

• Epilepsy

• Intellectual disability

• Other conditions that require treatment similar to a person with intellectual disability

disability

at risk

3. At risk conditions may include children who:

•Were born very early (less than 32 weeks gestation) and/or had very low birth weight

• Had extensive health problems or had long hospitalizations

• Had a prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol

• Experienced significant birth injury

• Experienced neglect or abuse

What if my child has a Low-Incidence Disability? Low incidence disabilities are conditions such as visual impairments/ blindness, hearing impairments/ deafness, and orthopedic impairments (e.g., caused by cerebral palsy, paralysis, or spinal cord injury). If you child has a low incidence disability, regardless of whether you think your child has a developmental delay or an at risk condition, you should complete step one by contacting Far Northern Regional Center. The regional center should assess your child for delays and work with the local school district to ensure your child’s needs, related to their low incidence disability, are met. If your child doesn’t qualify for Early Start services due to a developmental delay or risk of a delay, the school district will be responsible for your child’s educational needs related to their disability from birth to 21 years.

Early Start in Plumas County

Early Start services are provided through the Far Northern Regional Center in Plumas County.

The Importance of Early Intervention

More than 50 years of medical and educational studies demonstrate that family-centered support during the first three years of life can have a lasting impact on a child’s future. The sooner children at risk or with disabilities receive help—and the sooner their families receive guidance—the better their chances for success later in life.
Early intervention programs give children the foundational support they need to thrive. Consequently, research shows that 42% of children receiving these services no longer require special education by kindergarten.
Early Start is here to help your child become the best version of themselves. The program offers a wide range of services and supports tailored to your child’s unique needs—not just infant development through the school district.

What types of services does Early Start provide?

• assistive technology

• audiology

• behavior intervention

• family training & home visits

• feeding therapy

• health services

• nursing services

• nutrition services

• occupational therapy

• physical therapy

• service coordination with help accessing generic community services

(i.e. public health, nursing, medical equipment, diapers, formula, counseling, psychological services, etc.)

• sign language and cued language services

• social work services

• specialized instruction (infant development services)

• speech and language services

• transportation if needed to access agreed upon services

• vision services

The specific services you and your child receive depend on your child’s individual needs, ensuring personalized care and support.

Some common services that have been provided:

I think my child has a developmental delay, disability or has at risk conditions.
What should I do?

Step by step

Call the Far Northern Regional Center (530) 332-1529 intake line or submit an online intake referral form.

Do not call the Early Intervention specialist with the school district. Although Far Northern Regional does contract with Plumas Unified to provide infant development services, in most cases the school district does not determine eligibility for Early Start. If your child was enrolled in Early Start in another state or another county, not being served by Far Northern Regional Center, you will need to begin at Step 1.

Eligibility Evaluations and Needs Assessment

Once consent is obtained, your child will be evaluated to determine if they are eligible for Early Start services.
Assessments are performed in five areas of development: 1.Cognitive 2.Physical 3.Communication 4.Social/emotional 5.Adaptive
To be eligible, there needs to be a delay of at least 25% in one of these five areas and/or there is a medical condition that places your child at high risk for a developmental disability.
The Regional Center will likely ask for a copy of your child’s medical records, or request a release so they can seek the records from the provider.
If your child already has a diagnosis and has been evaluated recently, the Regional Center may opt to rely on existing documentation rather than perform its own evaluations for eligibility purposes. They will generally still conduct evaluations to establish recommended services and frequency of services.
The assessment will involve taking information from family, friends, providers, and anyone who knows your child and family well. If you have a family member or child care provider who cares for your child, be sure to include their input.
During an evaluation, a child development expert may: play with your child as part of the assessment to identify his/her abilities, observe you playing and interacting with your child, ask you questions about your child, your family, and the pregnancy and birth.
The outcomes of the assessment will be compared to other children of the same age who do not have developmental delays or disabilities.
If your child did not qualify and you still have concerns, be sure to follow up with the First 5 Family Service Coordinator who can connect you to other resources and help you support your child’s development (530) 334-0679 call or text
Disagreements about Early Start Services and Support can be addressed by filling out a complaint form online with the California Department of Developmental Services.

Creation of Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

If your child is eligible for Early Start services, you and your Service Coordinator will develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
The IFSP is a process and a plan. The end result will be a document that describes your child’s needs, goals, and objectives, as well as the services and supports your child requires to achieve those goals and objectives.
Early Start services operate on a year round basis. If service providers working with your child only work the school year, arrangements can be made to provide no break in services.
Typically an IFSP meeting will be attended only by the parent(s) and the service coordinator, as well as the child, where appropriate.
It is not necessary to bring anybody else with you to the IFSP meeting. However, if you prefer not to attend alone, you can bring an advocate, a service provider, or a family member, child care provider, or friend who knows your child well. The meeting can be held at the Regional Center, or the service coordinator can come to your home or another place that is convenient for you.
The IFSP always needs your written consent.

Services Provided

Once the IFSP is developed, the Early Start services will start within 45 days.
The services should occur in “natural environments”. These are familiar places like your home or other community settings.
This final step, being provided services, should take place within 45 days after the IFSP meeting and 90 days after putting the first phone call into the Far Northern Regional Center (step 1).
Your child’s IFSP will be reviewed every 3 months until they turn 3.

Timeline for Steps 1-5

If you need help anytime during this process, contact First 5 Plumas by calling or texting Alicia Kerr at

(530) 334-0679, emailing aliciakerr@countyofplumas.com or filling out a request using our Contact Us page.

Early Start is for children under 3. What happens when my child turns 3?

Before turning 3, with your consent, the Regional Center will determine if your child qualifies for lifelong services through the Lanterman Act or for provisional eligibility of the Lanterman Act through age four.
This transition process will begin when your child is 2 years and 6 months old. For detailed steps, see Your Child Receiving Early Start Services is Turning 3.
The Regional Center is required to send a referral to the school district when your child is 2 year 9 months. Your consent is not required for this referral. If you have questions about this process, discuss it with your child’s Regional Center Service Coordinator.

Support & Guidance for Families and Care Providers

Free Developmental Screening Tools Milestones for Age & Social-Emotional Skills, First 5 Plumas

Milestones for Age- Spanish & Social-Emotional Skills- Spanish

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund Non-profit advocacy group federally funded to support children 0-24 years of age in Plumas County free of charge

Disability Rights California For children 0-5 years it provides legal advocacy, parent rights training, and extensive self-help resource toolkits to ensure young children receive essential early intervention and educational support.

Undivided a privately developed site to support your advocacy. The first level is free. Contact First 5 Plumas if you would like a base level paid subscription.

Early Start Family Resource Center A free local service providing one on one support through the Early Start process

How to Access Early Start Services through Far Northern Regional Center in Plumas County