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. Confidentiality and access to records Early Start records are an important source of information about your child. Such information will only be shared with authorized persons involved in your child's services. The determination of eligibility for Early Start in California includes a timely, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluation and assessment of every child under age three years who is suspected to be in need of early intervention services. If no parent or guardian is available or the child is a ward of the court, a knowledgeable surrogate parent who has no conflicting interest will be appointed.
Procedural safeguards ensure that families are provided their rights under the law.
Evaluation results and determination of eligibility may be shared with families prior to the first IFSP meeting. A periodic review of your child's IFSP must take place at least every six months. In Early Start, parents have rights and protections to resolve disagreements related to Early Start services or allegations that a federal or state statute or regulation has been violated. The following procedures are only for children under the age of three years.