When you’re parenting a child with disabilities, the phrase “early intervention” gets tossed around a lot, and for good reason. Getting the right support early on can make a world of difference in your child’s growth, development, and daily life. But here’s the thing: knowing where to start (and how to get through all the red tape, confusing terminology, and all the interconnected systems) can feel overwhelming. What services is your child eligible for? Who does the evaluating? Is there a right age to get a diagnosis? And wait — can toddlers really qualify for IHSS? (Spoiler: they can!)
We’ve pulled together expert guidance, practical tips, and real-world info to help you navigate every step of the early intervention journey. Dive into our early intervention series below!
In this newsletter:
👶🏼 The 4 W’s of early intervention
🧸 Early intervention FAQs answered
⚠️ Undivided Updates: Changes to SDP
🎧 New podcast episode: What is an early intervention specialist?
👨👩👧👦 July 23 office hours: public benefits
🎤 Undivided Conversations: Parenting a Child With Disabilities (Ages 0-6) and IHSS For Ages 0-5 +
The 4 W’s of early intervention
There are a lot of pit stops on the journey from birth to kindergarten, and we’ve detailed them all here in our 4 W’s of intervention:
- Wondering how early intervention works in California — and how to get support like OT, PT, or speech?→ WHAT exactly is early intervention?
- Not sure when to start OT, PT, or speech therapy? Here’s why earlier is often better, and how to get expert guidance.→ WHEN should you start?
- Should you pursue a diagnosis or focus on getting support in place now? Here’s what experts say about timing, services, and the benefits of early intervention.→ WHY (or not) is a diagnosis beneficial?
- Looking for support with your child’s development? Here’s how specialists like developmental pediatricians can help, and why building a trusted care team (including yourself!) matters.→ WHO do you go to for help?
On the go? Tune into our bite-sized, AI-powered podcast episode “What is an Early Intervention Specialist?” which breaks down who to go to for help.
Early intervention FAQs
- Can Regional Center help my child get early intervention services (and what kind of support do they offer)? Yes! Find out here.
- Is my child too young for IHSS? No! Here are 5 steps to get IHSS for qualified kids under 5!
- Does my child qualify for an IFSP, and what should I expect from the first meeting? Find the answer here!
- What’s the difference between home-based and clinic-based early intervention, and can we do both? Yes! We break it down here.
⚠️ This week in Undivided Updates ⚠️
Self-Determination Program.→ The new California state budget for 2025–26 includes a $22.5 million cut to SDP, with even bigger cuts planned in the coming years. At the same time, an accompanying trailer bill (AB 143) signed by Governor Newsom brings changes that advocates worry could take some control away from families and give more to Regional Centers. For example, Regional Centers may no longer have to look at unmet needs, and they could have more say over how your child’s budget is used. Worried about what all this means? In our article here, we break down all the changes, how they might affect your family, and what you can do if your Regional Center pushes for cuts to your services.
Plus, heads up, parents→ Federal proposals may have a serious impact on how our schools are funded. Stay tuned — our full article is coming soon.
Join us for expert office hours→ Do you have questions about Regional Center, Medi-Cal, IHSS, or other public benefits programs in California? Join us for expert office hours on Wednesday, July 23, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT, where Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will be available to answer questions directly from Undivided members. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Upcoming Undivided Conversations on our Facebook page:
- Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. PT — Parenting a Child With Disabilities: Grief, Growth & Self-Care. Catch this re-streamed convo with Diane Simon Smith, a seasoned marriage and family therapist as she explains the unique challenges of parenting a child under six with disabilities.
- Sunday, July 20 at 10:00 a.m. PT — In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for Ages 0-5. In this re-stream conversation, Undivided’s Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck explains who is eligible for IHSS, how to apply, and tips to make the most of this program for children in California with disabilities.
One of our parent members told us, “Undivided has guided me to seek out services that I didn’t even know were available until I found Undivided.”
If you’re new to our private Facebook group for parents, please introduce yourself! We’d love to welcome you into our supportive community! Join the conversation→
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Who’s eligible for Early Start services from Regional Center? Get a quick rundown from our public benefits specialist in this YouTube video→
July is Fragile X Syndrome Awareness Month! Learn more on Instagram→
Stay informed and connected with the powerful advocates for disability rights in our network. Connect with Undivided on LinkedIn→
