Children with Special Needs - For Families
Developed by the Inclusion Work Group of the Child Care Planning Committee |
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Brain Development, Child Development and Developmental Milestones
Tools for Early Identification and Intervention
Resource and Referral for Children at Risk of Disabilities or Other Special Needs
Child Care and Development Programs, Early Intervention, Legal, Low Incidence Disabilities: Hearing, Vision and Orthopedic, Special Education, Medical Health, Mental Health and Therapy Services, Parent and Family Supports, and more
Advocacy Tools and Resources
Brain Development, Child Development and Developmental Milestones
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) – “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: A Web‑based resource with downloadable charts and fact sheets on developmental milestones for children from birth to five and links to information on child development and positive parenting tips. Visit www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/default.htm for additional information.
- Zero to Three: National nonprofit multidisciplinary organization that supports the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families by informing, educating, and supporting the work of professionals and parents. Navigational pathways provide information and resources on brain development, child development, child abuse and neglect, early mental health, health and nutrition, play, social-emotional development and more. Visit www.zerotothree.org and click on the links to “Professionals” or “Parents” to access their array of resources.
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Tools for Early Identification and Intervention
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) – “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: A Web‑based resource with information on identifying the early signs of a delay in an infant’s development, including autism. Additional posted resources include developmental milestone charts and fact sheets for children at ages three and seven months and at each year from one through five years old. Visit www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/default.htm for additional information.
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Resource and Referral for Children Identified At-risk of Disabilities or Other Special Needs
- Child Care and Development Programs
- Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) Agencies: Ten R&Rs located throughout Los Angeles County provide free referrals to licensed child care and development programs – family child care homes and child care and development centers – to families with children from birth through 12 years old. Some of the R&Rs also offer resources for families with children at risk for or with disabilities and other special needs. In addition, the R&Rs make available resources, including written materials, on a variety of topics, such as separation, toilet training, discipline, and more. For additional information visit or contact your local child care resource and referral agency:
- Los Angeles Centralized Eligibility List (LACEL): The LACEL is a countywide list of low-income families seeking assistance paying for child care and development services. Subsidized child care and development programs contact families registered on the list as space and funding becomes available. Priority for enrollment goes to families with children receiving services from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and children determined at risk for child abuse, neglect or exploitation by a legal, medical or social service agency, followed by children of families with the lowest monthly income. Siblings of children already enrolled in a program and children with disabilities and other special needs may receive priority for enrollment over another family with the same income. To register a family on the LACEL, contact the local R&R (see above list). For more information about LACEL, visit http://childcare.lacounty.gov, then click on LACEL from the menu on the left or call (213) 974-4519.
- Early Intervention Services
- California Early Start: Accessed through the Regional Centers, infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months may be eligible for early intervention services if they have a cognitive, communication, social or emotional, adaptive or physical or motor developmental delay, or are at risk for a delay in their development. Teams of coordinators, health care providers, early intervention specialists, therapists and parent resource specialists can evaluate and assess an infant and toddler and provide appropriate early intervention services to eligible children. For additional information visit the California Department of Developmental Services Web site at http://www.dds.ca.gov or contact your local Regional Center (see below for a listing of the Regional Centers located throughout Los Angeles County).
- Regional Centers: Nonprofit corporations that contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide or coordinate services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. For additional information on DDS’ services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities, visit www.dds.ca.gov. There are seven Regional Centers throughout Los Angeles County that contract with the California Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services to individuals with developmental disabilities:
- Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center: Serves eastern Los Angeles County including the communities of Alhambra and Whittier. For additional information, visit www.elarc.org or call (626) 299-4700.
- Frank Lanterman Regional Center: Serves central Los Angeles County including Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. For additional information, visit www.lanterman.org or call (213) 383-1300.
- Harbor Regional Center: Serves southern Los Angeles County including Bellflower, Harbor, Long Beach, and Torrance. For additional information visit, www.harborrc.com or call (310) 540-1711.
- North Los Angeles County Regional Center: Serves northern Los Angeles County including San Fernando and Antelope Valleys. For additional information visit, www.nlacrc.org or call (818) 778-1900.
- San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center: Serves eastern Los Angeles County including El Monte, Monrovia, Pomona, and Glendora. For additional information visit, www.sgprc.org or call (909) 620-7722.
- South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC): Serves southern Los Angeles County including the communities of Compton and Gardena. For additional information, visit www.sclarc.org or call (213) 473-0951.
- Westside Regional Center: Serves western Los Angeles County including the communities of Culver City, Inglewood, and Santa Monica. For additional information visit, www.westsiderc.org or call (310) 258-4000.
- Special Education Local Planning Areas (SELPA): Each school district belongs to a Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA), which is responsible for providing special education programs for children with disabilities and other special needs. Each SELPA has an infant program for children up to age three and provides special education for children from age three and up. There are 16 SELPAs in Los Angeles County:
- ABC/Norwalk-La Mirada USD SELPA: Serves ABC and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Districts. For additional information call (562) 926-5566 x21189.
- Antelope Valley SELPA: Serves Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District, Antelope Valley Union High School District, Eastside Union School District, Gorman School District, Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union School District, Keppel Union School District, Lancaster School District, Palmdale School District, Westside Union School District, and Wilsona School District. For additional information, call (661) 274-4136.
- Downey/Montebello SELPA*: Serves Downey and Montebello Unified School Districts. For additional information call, (562) 531-2566.
- East San Gabriel Valley SELPA*: Serves Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bassett, Bonita, Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina-Valley, Glendora, Pomona, Walnut Valley, and West Covina Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (626) 966-1679.
- Foothill SELPA: Serves Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (818) 246-5378.
- Long Beach Unified School District SELPA: Serves Long Beach Unified School District. For additional information, call (562) 422-6868.
- Los Angeles County Office of Education SELPA: For additional information, call (562) 401-5737.
- Los Angeles Unified School District SELPA, Infant and Preschool Support Services: Serves Los Angeles Unified School District. For additional information, call (213) 241-4713.
- Mid-Cities SELPA: Serves Bellflower, Compton, Lynwood, and Paramount Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 531-2566.
- Pasadena Unified School District SELPA: Serves Pasadena Unified School District. For additional information, call (626) 795-6981.
- Puente Hills SELPA: Serves Hacienda La Puente and Rowland Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 833-8345.
- Santa Clarita SELPA*: Serves Castaic Union, Newhall, Saugus Union, Sulphur Springs Union, and William S. Hart School Districts. For additional information, call (661) 294-5398.
- Southwest SELPA*: Serves Centinela Valley Union High School District, El Segundo Unified, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach City, Inglewood Unified, Lawndale, Lennox, Manhattan Beach Unified, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified, Redondo Beach Unified, Torrance Unified, and Wiseburn School Districts. For additional information, call (310) 798-2731 or the Family Resource Center at (310) 921-2252.
- Tri-City SELPA: Serves Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (310) 842-4220.
- West San Gabriel Valley SELPA*: Serves Alhambra City and High School, Arcadia Unified, Duarte Unified, El Monte City, El Monte Union High, Garvey, Monrovia Unified, Mount View, Rosemead, San Gabriel Unified, San Marino Unified, South Pasadena Unified, Temple City Unified, and Valle Lindo School Districts. For additional information, call (626) 254-9406.
- Whittier Area Cooperative SELPA: East Whittier City, El Rancho Unified, Little Lake City, Los Nietos, South Whittier, Whittier City, and Whittier Union High School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 945-6431.
* Administered by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).
- Child Care Law Center (CCLC): A legal resource on child care issues in California. CCLC has published two documents that may be of interest to parents: Rights of Children with Disabilities in Child Care under California’s “Unruh Civil Rights Act”: Information for Child Care Providers and Parents; and Questions and Answers about IDEA & Child Care. For additional information, visit http://www.childcarelaw.org.
- Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC): Based at Loyola Law School in downtown Los Angeles, the mission of the DRLC is to promote the rights of people with disabilities and the public interest in and awareness of those rights by providing legal and related services. Among its activities is the Education Advocacy Project, which represents families of students with disabilities in special education proceedings, including Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting, mediation due process hearings, and government complaints. The DRLC conducts monthly Education Advocacy Workshops to teach people about special education and an Education Advocacy Manual, a step-by-step guide to assist parents in advocating for their children. For more information and links to their materials, visit www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org or call their central intake line directly at (213) 736-1334 (TTY (213) 736-8310).
- Protection and Advocacy, Inc: Provides legal counsel and advice for families with children with disabilities. For additional information visit their Web site at www.pai-ca.org or call toll-free at (800) 776-5746 (TTY: (800) 719-5798). In addition, Protection and Advocacy has developed downloadable advocacy tools, such as 18 Tips for Getting Quality Special Education Services for Your Child, and more in multiple languages. Visit www.pai-ca.org/issues/specialeducation_pubs.html for these materials and more.
- Public Counsel Law Center: A public interest law office providing free legal and social services to low-income people throughout Los Angeles County. The Children’s Rights Project (CRP) provides free legal and advocacy services on behalf of children and youth. Among their areas of focus, assists families with children with disabilities and other special needs navigate the services to which they are entitled. For additional information, visit www.publiccounsel.org or call (213) 385-2977.
- The Alliance for Children’s Rights: Provides direct legal services, community education and advocacy on behalf of children living in foster care, children with learning disabilities, children who need medical treatment or public benefits, and children in need of legal guardianship or adoption. For additional information visit www.kids-alliance.org or call (213) 368-6010.
- United States Department of Justice: The Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section protects the rights of persons with disabilities under Titles I, II, and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The Disability Rights Section staffs the ADA Information Line - 800-514-0301 (Voice) or
 800-514-0383 (TDD) - to answer general and technical questions about the ADA. Information of compliance requirements for child care and development centers in a frequently asked questions format is available on their Web site at www.ada.gov/childq&a.htm.
- Low Incidence Disabilities: Hearing, Vision and Orthopedic
- Braille Institute: A nonprofit organization offering a wide array of free services designed to help people with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives, including: Children’s Services, Children’s Literacy Services, Youth and Teen Services, Library Services, Braille Publishing, and more. For additional information, visit www.brailleinstitute.org.
- California Children’s Services (CCS) – Medical Therapy Program: CCS arranges, directs and pays for medical care, equipment and rehabilitation when authorized. Services can be authorized for children and young adults under the age of 21 who have eligible medical conditions and whose families are unable to pay for all or part of their care. The Medical Therapy Program provides physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and medical therapy conference (MTC) services for children who have handicapping conditions, generally due to neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. For additional information, visit http://ph.lacounty.gov/cms.
- House Ear Institute: The House Ear Institute's Children's Auditory Research and Evaluation (CARE) Center is devoted to improving the communication ability of infants and children with auditory disorders through research, clinical services and education of professionals and families. Clinical services include: outpatient infant screenings, diagnostic audiology, auditory rehabilitation, developmental psychological examination, speech/language evaluations and therapy, and cochlear implant services. For more information, visit www.hei.org/children/children.htm.
- John Tracy Clinic: Provides, worldwide and without charge, parent-centered services to young children from birth to five with a hearing loss offering families hope, guidance and encouragement. For more information, visit www.johntracyclinic.org or call (213) 745.5074 or toll free at 1-800-522-4582.
- Junior Blind of America: Helps infants, children, teens and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence. Junior Blind of America’s Child Development Programs provide a wide range of services for children (birth to six years) with visual impairments and other disabilities. A key component of these programs is helping families gain the knowledge to become successful advocates for their child’s education and care. For additional information, visit www.juniorblind.org.
- Long Beach Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center: Provides services to young children from 18 months to six years old with speech and language disorders. Primary goals are: 1) early identification and treatment of language disorders; and 2) facilitating family involvement in the process. Services are free and include: diagnostic evaluations and speech and language therapy. For more information, visit www.lbscottishrite.org or call (562) 435-8381.
- Los Angeles Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center: Provides free speech, language and reading therapies to children from ages three through 18 who demonstrate a speech and/or language disorder. For more information, visit http://la-sr.org/post/center or call (323) 937-3742.
- Pasadena Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center: Provides services to young children from 18 months to six years old with speech and language disorders. Primary goals are: 1) early identification and treatment of language disorders; and 2) facilitating family involvement in the process. There are no geographical restrictions; however focus is on Pasadena and surrounding communities. Services are free and include: diagnostic evaluations and speech and language therapy. For more information, visit www.pasadenascottishrite.org or call (626) 795-4213.
- Pediatric Therapy Network: A therapeutic and educational center that provides occupational, speech/language and physical therapy to children with special needs. The application of sensory integration theory is a cornerstone of the intervention provided for children with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental conditions. Services include physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies that enhance children's individual capabilities and foster their independence. Programs include: Camp Escapades, a three-week summer day camp for children ages four to 13; Leaps and Bounds, an early intervention program for children ages 18 months to three years who have been identified with a developmental delay; programs for youth and teens with disabilities; and more. For more information, visit www.pediatrictherapynetwork.org or call (310) 328-0276.
- Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic: A nonprofit organization that serves individuals who cannot read standard print because of a vision, physical or learning disability by providing them with educational materials in accessible formats. For more information, visit http://www.rfbd.org/SoCal/ or call (323) 664-5525.
- Special Education Local Planning Areas (SELPA): Each school district belongs to a Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA), which is responsible for providing special education programs for children with disabilities and other special needs. Each SELPA has an infant program for children up to age three and provides special education for children from age three and up. There are 16 SELPAs in Los Angeles County:
- ABC/Norwalk-La Mirada USD SELPA: Serves ABC and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Districts. For additional information call (562) 926-5566 x21189.
- Antelope Valley SELPA: Serves Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District, Antelope Valley Union High School District, Eastside Union School District, Gorman School District, Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union School District, Keppel Union School District, Lancaster School District, Palmdale School District, Westside Union School District, and Wilsona School District. For additional information, call (661) 274-4136.
- Downey/Montebello SELPA*: Serves Downey and Montebello Unified School Districts. For additional information call, (562) 531-2566.
- East San Gabriel Valley SELPA*: Serves Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bassett, Bonita, Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina-Valley, Glendora, Pomona, Walnut Valley, and West Covina Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (626) 966-1679.
- Foothill SELPA: Serves Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (818) 246-5378.
- Long Beach Unified School District SELPA: Serves Long Beach Unified School District. For additional information, call (562) 422-6868.
- Los Angeles County Office of Education SELPA: For additional information, call (562) 401-5737.
- Los Angeles Unified School District SELPA, Infant and Preschool Support Services: Serves Los Angeles Unified School District. For additional information, call (213) 241-4713.
- Mid-Cities SELPA: Serves Bellflower, Compton, Lynwood, and Paramount Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 531-2566.
- Pasadena Unified School District SELPA: Serves Pasadena Unified School District. For additional information, call (626) 795-6981.
- Puente Hills SELPA: Serves Hacienda La Puente and Rowland Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 833-8345.
- Santa Clarita SELPA*: Serves Castaic Union, Newhall, Saugus Union, Sulphur Springs Union, and William S. Hart School Districts. For additional information, call (661) 294-5398.
- Southwest SELPA*: Serves Centinela Valley Union High School District, El Segundo Unified, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach City, Inglewood Unified, Lawndale, Lennox, Manhattan Beach Unified, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified, Redondo Beach Unified, Torrance Unified, and Wiseburn School Districts. For additional information, call (310) 798-2731 or the Family Resource Center at (310) 921-2252.
- Tri-City SELPA: Serves Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Districts. For additional information, call (310) 842-4220.
- West San Gabriel Valley SELPA*: Serves Alhambra City and High School, Arcadia Unified, Duarte Unified, El Monte City, El Monte Union High, Garvey, Monrovia Unified, Mount View, Rosemead, San Gabriel Unified, San Marino Unified, South Pasadena Unified, Temple City Unified, and Valle Lindo School Districts. For additional information, call (626) 254-9406.
- Whittier Area Cooperative SELPA: East Whittier City, El Rancho Unified, Little Lake City, Los Nietos, South Whittier, Whittier City, and Whittier Union High School Districts. For additional information, call (562) 945-6431.
* Administered by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).
- Individual Education Program (IEP): Developed by a team including parents, teachers, other school staff, and the student, the IEP defines the education goals of a student identified as eligible for special education supports and services. The school district is responsible for ensuring that services are provided and the goals of the IEP are met. The IEP team meets at least annually to review the child’s progress and the child must be re-evaluated at least every three years. Visit www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html for additional information on the IEP process.
- Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP): Similar to the IEP, outlines a plan of action establishing how early intervention specialists will work with families of eligible infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) at risk of or with developmental delays that address the child’s needs, parents’ concerns, and the resources needed to support the child’s development. For additional information, visit www.dds.cahwnet.gov/earlystart/.
- Medical/Health
- Bright Futures for Families: Bright Futures for Families is a national initiative for families and communities to promote the health and well-being of children of all ages. Among the downloadable materials on this Web site is the Family Pocket Guide: Raising Healthy Infants, Children and Adolescents, which contains information on child health and development with particular sections focused on child development issues by age from birth through 21. Another highlight is the Health Care Visit Check List for All Children Including Children with Special Health Care Needs. To access these and other materials, visit www.brightfuturesforfamilies.org.
- California Childcare Health Program: Dedicated to the health and safe of the early care and education field. Offers hundreds of user-friendly educational resources to help early care and education programs, trainers, Child Care Health Consultants, Child Care Health Advocates and the families they serve stay abreast of best practices. Materials include fact sheets, survival posters and training curricula, most available as free downloads accessible from their Web site at www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org.
- California Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Web site designed to provide information to parents and professionals to assist them in caring for children and youth with special health care needs. Resources, referrals, and condition-specific information are presented, as well as information about concepts common to the care of these children. For more information, visit www.chscn-ca.org.
- California Children’s Services (CCS): Arranges, directs and pays for medical care, equipment and rehabilitation when authorized. Services can be authorized for children and young adults under the age of 21 who have eligible medical conditions and whose families are unable to pay for all or part of their care. The Medical Therapy Program provides physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and medical therapy conference (MTC) services for children who have handicapping conditions, generally due to neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. For additional information, visit www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ccs.
- Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP): A preventive health program serving California’s low-income children and teens. Services include periodic health assessments, dental services, care coordination, and nutrition surveillance. Children with suspected problems are referred for diagnosis and treatment. For additional information visit www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/chdp/ or contact your local health department:
- City of Long Beach at (562) 570-7980
- City of Pasadena at (626) 744-6015
- County of Los Angeles at (800) 993-2437
- Healthy Families: A low-cost insurance program for children and teens not eligible for Medi‑Cal, covering physical, dental, vision, and mental health. For additional information visit www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov or call toll-free (800) 880-5305.
- Mental Health and Therapy Services
- Child Development Institute (CDI): CDI provides families and other caregivers with guidance in building consistent and responsive relationships and creating natural and healthy environments for children with a range of developmental challenges. CDI offers an array of programs and services to families and those that serve them, including mental health therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, social skills groups, Relationship-based Behavioral Therapy, Early Learners, Teacher Support Services, and Parent Support Services. In addition, CDI has an Assessment Clinic to help parents by providing developmental assessments and diagnostic evaluations. Upon completion of an assessment, families receive treatment recommendations, education and support to navigate and make the most of the resources available in their community; and a Feeding Clinic, which offers a nurturing place for families to learn effective feeding strategies in a therapeutic environment. For more information, visit www.childdevelopmentinstitute.org or call (818) 888-4559.
- Children’s Bureau: Offers an array of child abuse prevention and treatment services aimed at strengthening families and communities throughout Southern California. Comprehensive programs focus on parents with children from birth through age 12 and include: in-home and center-based counseling; child and parent development; health; child and parent education groups; tutoring and reading programs; and community resource referrals. For more information, visit www.all4kids.org or call (213) 342-0100
or toll free at (888) ALL-4KIDS (255-4543).
- Children’s Institute, Inc.: Helps children throughout Los Angeles County who have been affected by violence in their homes or communities through treatment, prevention, early care and education, and community services programs. For more information, visit www.childrensinstitute.org or call 213.385.5100; for South County, call (310) 783-4677.
- County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Children Youth and Family Services: Provides mental health services to low-income children, youth, and families including assessments, medication, therapy, counseling, and consultation. Please call ACCESS (800) 854-7771, operators available 24/7, to find a provider near you.
- For the Child: Provides comprehensive child abuse treatment and family focused mental health care, counseling, and therapy to strengthen families and provide the tools of healing to children. Programs include: child abuse and neglect services to help children and families cope effectively with the physical, social and psychological aftermath of abuse; family-focused mental health care, a comprehensive mental health program for economically disadvantaged children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral problems; Kids’ Place, which provides child care service and resource assistance at the Long Beach Courthouse to children whose parents have business with the courts; Parent Child Interaction Therapy to help young children with serious behavioral problems like aggression, defiance, temper tantrums, and oppositional behavior; and more. For more information, visit www.forthechild.org or call (562) 422-8472.
- Intercommunity Child Guidance Center: Provides comprehensive mental health and social services to children and their families in southeast Los Angeles County, including but not limited to the communities of Whittier, Montebello, La Puente, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Bell, etc. Programs include: Walk-in Clinic; Therapeutic Treatment Services to children and families including individual and family counseling; Early Intervention and Prevention, designed to identify children ages birth to five years and their families who are at-risk for developmental, psychological, behavioral, social or family problems; Hope Intensive Treatment, a specialized program designed to promote successful home, school and community functioning by enhancing self-esteem, encouraging personal growth and development, and improving socialization skills for children ages 7-12 years; Specialized Foster Care, available to provide foster families with the inclusive services required to meet the specialized mental health needs of foster care children; and Snug Harbor, which provides professional child care services for children while their parents participate in therapy sessions or parenting classes. For more information, visit www.intercommunity.org or call (562) 692-0383.
- Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic: Provides mental health services to children, youth and families in Central and South Los Angeles. The Clinic’s Early Intervention and Community Wellness Programs include: First Steps, which helps families whose infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) are at risk of entering mental health or special education services in the future; Outpatient Treatment for children five and under with behavioral and emotional problems that qualify with a diagnosed mental health condition; Early Intervention Day Treatment, a clinic-based therapeutic environment for children ages 2½ to 5 years old who already have significant behavioral or emotional problems; and Preschool/Head Start Center-based Programs, which places mental health professionals into local preschool centers such as Head Starts, to facilitate the identification and treatment of children at risk for mental health problems to ensure their academic readiness and school success. For more information, visit www.lacgc.org.
- Pacific Asian Counseling Services (PACS): PACS mission is to enrich the lives of children and families through counseling and caring by providing culturally sensitive and language specific services with expertise in the immigrant Asian Pacific Islander populations. Programs include: individual, couple, family and groups counseling; Youth Excelling for Success (Y.E.S.), which offers free activities for underserved Asian and Pacific Islander children, ages 5-18, at-risk for drop out or gang activity; Child-Safe (Children with Hope in a Loving, Secure, Adaptive Family Environment) Program provides comprehensive, culturally sensitive child abuse prevention and treatment services for children, youth and families; and individual counseling, case management and psychiatric services to those individuals who are CalWORKS participants to address their barriers to employment. For more information, visit www.pacsla.org or call (818) 989-9214.
- Project ABC-About Building Connections for Young Children and Their Families: A collaborative of Children's Institute, Inc., the University of Southern California - University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Project ABC is designed to create a system of care for young children ages birth to five who are in need of mental health services in the Los Angeles area. Mental health services are family-centered, strength-based, and culturally competent. For more information, visit www.projectabc-la.org or call (213) 383-5992.
- Roybal Family Mental Health Center – Young Mothers and Babies Full Service Partnership Program: Offers pregnant and parenting young women up to the age of 25 and their children from ages birth to five a variety of comprehensive services including: In-home Dyadic Interventions to assist young mothers develop secure attachments with their infants and toddlers; and 24 hour access to support and care. Serves communities located in Service Planning Area 7. For more information, call (323) 267-3400.
- The Guidance Center: Provides accessible, effective, and culturally relevant mental health services to children, teens, and families of the greater Long Beach and Harbor region in English and Spanish. Services include: individual, group and family therapy; early intervention services to children from ages birth to five; parenting education and training; and more. Visit www.memorialcare.org/miller/services/guidanceCenter.cfm or call (562) 595-1159.
- The Help Group: Serves children with special needs related to autism, Asperger's disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, mental retardation, abuse and emotional problems. Operates six specialized day schools that offer pre-K through high school programs and offers a wide range of mental health and therapy services. For more information, visit www.thehelpgroup.org or call 1-877-994-3588.
- Vista del Mar: Provides comprehensive, family-centered social, educational and behavioral health services. For more information about Vista del Mar services offered through the three divisions listed below, visit www.vistadelmar.org, then click on the appropriate link at top of page or call (310) 836-1223.
- Family Services of Santa Monica: Provides a broad range of mental health and social services to children and families throughout the Santa Monica Bay and West Los Angeles region. Services include individual, couple, family, and group counseling to address a broad range of issues, such as behavior problems, anxiety, depression, marital relationships, loss and bereavement, substance abuse, sexuality, career changes, life transitions, illness and disability, separation and divorce, and parenting.
- Home-SAFE (Services Aiding Family Equilibrium): Provides counseling, parent education, mental health services, and family support services. Projects include: Family Project, a prevention and treatment program for families with young children and their siblings who are at-risk for child abuse and neglect; Teen Parent Project serves pregnant and parenting teens at local high schools by providing a combination of education, case management, and counseling; Early Head Start, which provides comprehensive child development services, medical services, mental health services, and family support services to low-income, pregnant women and families with children from birth to three years, during weekly home visits and bi-monthly parent-child socialization groups; and more.
- Reiss Davis Child Study Center: Helps children, adolescents and families who are experiencing mild to severe emotional problems, behavior problems and/or learning disabilities. Program services include: diagnostic assessments and psychotherapy to children and adolescents, from preschool through young adulthood, who are experiencing behavior problems or emotional problems; the PsychoEducational Diagnostic Service Program, which offers comprehensive learning disabilities assessment, attention deficit evaluations, and psychological testing for children and adolescents; and the GRANDparenting Program, a six week educational class for grandparents and other older relatives who need help and support in raising young family members.
- Westside Children’s Center (WCC): WCC’s Family Support Services assists families with young children to create healthy, nurturing home environments through a range of multi-disciplinary services that are designed to meet the unique needs of each family. A team of mental health, health and child development specialists engage parents as partners as they create case plans to address family concerns and issues. Services are delivered in the family's home in English or Spanish, at WCC’s offices and in other community settings and include: assessments; individual and family counseling and therapy; parenting education classes and role modeling in the home; nursing consultations and presentations on health and safety issues; specialized child development services; case management; and referrals and linkages to other needed services. For more information, visit www.westsidechildrens.org or call (310) 390-0551.
- Parent and Family Supports
- Family Resource Centers Network of California: In collaboration with the local Regional Centers, Family Resource Centers provide parent-to-parent support to families with infants and toddlers at risk of or with developmental disabilities by helping them access information about early intervention services. For additional information, visit www.frcnca.org. Also click here to the Directory of Parent-to-Parent Resource Centers for Children with Special Needs and Children with Special Health Care Needs in Los Angeles County.
- Los Angeles Centralized Eligibility List (LACEL): The LACEL is a countywide list of low-income families seeking assistance paying for child care and development services. Subsidized child care and development programs contact families registered on the list as space and funding become available. Priority for enrollment goes to families with children receiving services from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and children determined at risk for child abuse, neglect or exploitation by a legal, medical or social service agency, followed by children of families with the lowest monthly income. Siblings of children already enrolled in a program and children with disabilities and other special needs may receive priority for enrollment over another family with the same income. To register a family on the LACEL, contact the local R&R (see above list). For more information about LACEL, visit http://childcare.lacounty.gov, then click on LACEL from the menu on the left or call (213) 974-4519.
- Other Resources
- 211 LA County: Dedicated to providing guidance, advocacy, and 24 hour seven days per week access to a range of human services to the people of Los Angeles County. For more information or to access their services, visit www.infoline-la.org or call 211.
- AbilityFirst: AbilityFirst’s children’s program provides creative, nurturing environments for boys and girls from ages five to 22 with disabilities to learn, develop key life skills, build confidence – and, of course, have fun. The eight community centers located throughout Southern California offer afterschool children’s programs. For more information, visit www.abilityfirst.org or contact your local community center as follows:
- Claremont Center: (909) 621-4727
- East Los Angeles Center: (323) 268-8178
- Harry A. Mier Center: (323) 753-3101
- Lawrence L. Frank Center: (626) 449-5661
- Long Beach Center: (562) 426-6161
- The Paul Weston Center: (818) 884-6612
- California Map to Inclusive Child Care: Funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division and administered by the WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies, committed to improving the delivery of quality child care services to children with disabilities and other special needs in inclusive settings. Hosts comprehensive listing of inclusive child care resources, Web site links, and California information. For additional information, visit www.CAInclusiveChildCare.org
- First5LA Helpline: Provides information, support and assistance to expectant parents and parents/caregivers of children up to age five with questions and concerns about health, education and safety. Call 1-888-First5LA (1-888-347-7855).
- LACountyHelps!: An easy-to-use Web site that confidentially can tell families whether they are able to get help from health and human services programs: CalWORKs, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP), Child Support Services, Community and Senior Services, Family Preservation Program, Food Stamps, General Relief, In-home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids, Supplemental Security Income, Women, Infants, and Children Services (WIC), and more. Visit www.LACountyHelps.org.
- Advocacy Tools and Resources
- Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE): Aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities by linking families, advocates, and self-advocates to information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To access information on IDEA, fact sheets, such as Understanding the Special Education Process (in English and Spanish), and more, visit www.fape.org
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