Early Start Application

Early Start Application Instructions

The Early Start Program is provided under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). California’s Early Start program focuses on the health, development, and wellbeing of children birth through 35 months, who have a delay in development, high risk factors, or have an established risk condition for resulting in a developmental disability.

Eligibility Criteria

This application will assist ELARC in determining eligibility for the Early Start Program. The eligibility criteria is as follows:

  • Established Risk Condition: An established risk condition exists when and infant or toddler has a condition of known etiology which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay, such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS).
  • Developmental Delay: The child has a 25% delay in one or more areas of development.
  • High Risk: An infant or toddler with a combination of two or more factors that requires early start services based on evaluation and assessment.     
  • High Risk for developmental disability also exists when a multidisciplinary team determines that the parent of an infant or toddler is a person with a developmental disability and the infant or toddler requires early start services based on evaluation and assessment.

Eligibility Process

In order to complete the eligibility process, ELARC will evaluate and assess your child’s developmental levels and review your child’s medical history/records. The Early Start eligibility process may take up to 45 days.

Application Instructions

  1. Please thoroughly read the Early Start Application Packet.
  2. Please ensure your child’s name is on every page of the Early Start Application including consent forms.
  3. Fill out the Early Start Application (Pages 2-4) as thoroughly as possible.
  4. Click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

The Early Start Application will be completed when:

  1. All information fields have been filled out.
  2. The application has been digitally signed. Once you submit this application, an Early Start Intake Coordinator will contact you to provide signature pages.

ELARC Early Start Application

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