Regional Center of the East Bay

Supports to Infants and Young Children with Special Needs

Wanda Davis, MSWDirector of Early Intervention Services Regional Center of the East Bay

Benefits of Early Intervention• Remediation of existing

problem or prevention of potential occurrence

• research provides evidence that early intervention has positive impact

• Significant cost effectiveness when organizations worktogether

• Promotes inclusive communities

Evaluation (Eligibility) & Assessment (Needs) Process

Child’s evaluation for eligibility done with parent consent by either Regional Center or Local Education AgencyIf eligible If NOT eligible, refer to:

Child’s assessment to determine service needs; also identify family concerns, priorities and resources.

Other community resources: health services, social services, mental health, alcohol & drug programs and other agencies. For complete list, contact Family Resource Center.

Early Start Eligibility

Established risk condition resulting in a developmental disability High Risk for Developmental delay (13 medical factors defined by each state).Developmental delay ( significant difference between child’s age and functioning) .

Referral ProcessReferral should be made within 48 hours of recognition of significant concern related to a child’s development Referral should be made directly to responsible agencyRefer directly to either Regional Center of the East Bay or to the local education agency, depending on the suspected cause of the delay

Assessment process

Parent consent required

I.d. child/family needs+ Guides interventionDone by responsible

agencyVoluntary & at public

expenseGeneric resources first

Regional Center ServicesCase Management and Advocacy Individual/Family Service Plan- Identify, PlanCoordination of Generic ServicesMay purchase services based on policies established by the RCEB Board of Directors after all alternative funding has been explored

RCEB Services (0 – 5)

Nursing audiology Diagnostic

Behavior Services

Case management

Family Training

Specialized Instruction

Supported Childcare

Counseling

Assistive Technology

Respite to met child’s dev. needs

Specialized Medical/Dental

Transportation

Therapies Vision services

RCEB serving Dev. DisabilitiesRegional Center of the East Bay is one of 21 agencies throughout California that is contracted by the Dept. of Developmental Services to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities.

A referral to Regional Center is necessary to begin the eligibility evaluation process. Eligibility is determined within 120 days of receipt of the referral by the Regional Center.

A developmental disability is defined as a disability that occurs before the age of 18, is substantially disabling for an individual, and is expected to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism. Also included are disabling conditions closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment.

Regional Center has multi-lingual intake and case managers including two delegated agencies ACMHS and La Famila

School District Eligibility

Severe speech delay and/or language impairmentOrthopedic impairmentCognitive impairmentDeafnessLow vision or blindnessAutismSevere emotional disturbanceOther disabling health impairments

A child may be eligible who has any of the following:

Unified School DistrictAssessment

Children referred to the LEA are assessed by a team that may include a school nurse, teacher of the deaf, vision specialist, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, adapted physical education specialist, occupational therapist and/or a physical therapist. Services are determined based on the findings of the team.

Alameda SELPA ProgramsParent participation modelServices offered in home and at siteIndividual and small group servicesServes infants with vision, hearing, and orthopedic impairments, and other students as space allowsReferrals for assessment from physicians, parents and Regional Center

California Children Services (CCS)

Statewide program that arranges and pays for medical care, equipment and rehabilitation for eligible children and youth (under age 21) who have eligible medical conditions and whose families are unable to pay for all or part of their care. CCS determines eligibility and selects the most qualified professionals to treat each child’s CCS eligible condition.

CCS EligibilityAge – child must be under 21 years of ageResidence – child must be a permanent California residentFamily income – must be less than $40K, or if medical care for the CCS eligible condition is expected to cost more than 20% of the family’s income Medical conditions - only certain conditions are eligible for CCSInsurance – even if a child has private insurance, she/he may still qualify for CCS

What Services are Provided?Diagnostic services (audiology evals)Medically necessary treatment for the child’s CCS-eligible condition, including equipment, surgical care, laboratory tests and dentalMedically necessary physical, occupational therapy and medical therapy conference servicesCase management: referrals, coordination with schools, nurses, social workers and other agencies

How to Access CCS Services

Physician report is made identifying suspected conditionReferral made to (510) 267-3285Application completed by parentsEligibility determinedServices determined and provided

Eligibility

Infants who have graduated from a California Children Services-approved Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or from a CCS-approved hospital after transfer from an approved NICUInfants at risk for developmental problems due to prolonged hospitalization, low birth weight, problems at birth, or continuing medical problems

Child/family Supports

Community ServicesEarly Head StartHead StartSpecial StartHealthy StepsFirst Five Play groupsInclusion SpecialistsIPOPCARI ProgramSummer Pre K camp

HarambeeEl CongresoJENNAInfant Mental Health providersLibrary toddler readCar Seat distribution programsState preschools

Family Resource Centerssupport and information to families of children with special needs

community resource information

health care information

newsletter and community events calendar

extensive website & links

individualized peer support

support groups

educational workshops

Community’s RolePrepare parent about the referral and get their consent to

share child/family information

Included parental contact information when calling and written clearly when using the interagency community form

Health review or medical record of client should be sent to the responsible agency to expedite referral.

Refer directly to all potential service agencies( EHS,CCS,MH)

Referral should be made within 2 working days of recognition of potential developmental delay, per Early Start regulations.

TIP:for children less than 3yrs old with Medi-Cal, a Treatment of Authorization Request (TAR) can be written for speech, occupational, or physical therapy, an audiology evaluation or vision needs.

Unique NeedsFamilies of special needs children interact with a complex system of agencies, services and programsLegal mandates define servicesEligibility requirements are confusingMedical needs may be supported by a variety of non-integrated and unfamiliar programsEmotional needs may be beyond those of a typical family. Connections to family support are important.

Interagency CoordinationEnsure family’s understanding of referralsShare information about newly identified infants & toddlers to ease the connections to agenciesCoordination of tasks to avoid duplication or non usage of valuable resourcesBe knowledgeable

               

Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB) – Early Start Program

Assisting infants and toddlers, birth to age three, who may be at risk for developmental disabilities and demonstrate a need for service. Providing evaluation and assessment, service coordination, and community resource information.

Office Locations:OAKLAND

Alameda County office

7677 Oakport St. Suite 300

Oakland, CA 94621

510 383-1200

Early Intervention Intake lines: 510 383-1355

or (Spanish/English line) 510 383-1327

CONCORD

Contra Costa county office

2151 Salvio St. Suite 365

Concord, CA 94520

925 798-3001

Over 3 call (510) 383-

Visit Regional Center on the web at www.rceb.org