Being in a ‘community’ makes all the difference. When I get information about leads, services, etc., I feel more hopeful and all the more determined to get him all the services he needs and is entitled to.” – Undivided client
Birth – Age 3
From birth to age 3, it’s important to secure early intervention services for children who have a suspected developmental disability or delay. Statewide public benefits programs such as Regional Center can be a source of assessment services and therapies regardless of family income. Getting started early with Regional Center and other public related benefits can significantly streamline access to other key services.
Theme for this age
Get foundational benefits
What to focus on
Regional Center, IHSS, CCS
Undivided Goals
20+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Children under age 3 may be eligible for early intervention services from Regional Center. Learn what the qualifications are and how to apply for your child.
Why
Accessing early intervention therapies and services can play a vital role in your child’s development.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Learn what resources are available in California to fund early intervention therapies for children under 3 years old.
Why
The state provides funding for many early intervention services, so you can secure vital therapies for your child without a significant financial burden.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
The Medi-Cal waiver allows your child to apply for Medi-Cal without regarding your household income. See our guide to applying.
Why
Medi-Cal can help cover medical and therapeutic services, equipment, and supplies for your child, even if you already have primary insurance.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
You can apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) if your child receives Medi-Cal.
Why
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) can fund care and respite services in your home so that you have additional resources to support your child.
Age 3-4
At age 3, a child’s school district becomes primarily responsible for providing therapeutic services for individuals who qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The process starts as early as preschool. For eligible children, public benefits programs can supplement insurance funding for medical services, therapies, and equipment.
Theme for this age
Get school district services
What to focus on
IEP, Regional Center, therapies
Undivided Goals
35+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Children with disabilities who struggle with accessing education can be assessed for supportive services. Learn how to request this assessment for your child.
Why
Requesting an assessment from the school is the first step to exploring accommodations and services that may help your child access their education and make meaningful progress.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) includes new words, acronyms, and many different parts. Learn the essentials and get prepared with a breakdown of the information you need regarding your child’s eligibility, district assessments, placement options, and more.
Why
An IEP holds the school responsible for providing accommodations and services for your child to access their education. The more you know about participating in the IEP process, the better you can advocate for your child with the rest of the IEP team.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Individuals with certain disabilities and developmental delays can receive extra services and funding from Regional Center.
Why
Regional Center offers services that can help you advocate for your child to receive all the resources that will help them thrive.
These goals help you make the most of the benefits and services your child qualifies for.
Popular goals
- Become an IHSS parent provider
- Find specialized child care
- Request funding for my child’s ABA
Benefits you may be missing
- Respite from Regional Center
- Specialized supervision from IHSS
- Co-pays covered by Medi-Cal
Work with a Navigator to personalize your Roadmap
“Whatever I was trying to get done in 2 years prior, I was able to get done in 5 months with Undivided. It would have been impossible without the support of my Undivided Navigator.” -Undivided member
Age 5-11
The transition to elementary school is a big step. Parents should work closely with their IEP teams from year to year to develop IEPs that provide the accommodations, services, and other supports necessary for their children to thrive.
Theme for this age
Work with IEP team
What to focus on
IEP, Regional Center, IHSS
Undivided Goals
35+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Learn what to expect and all the best tips and tricks to make the transition to elementary school easier for your child.
Why
Elementary school is often a major change from preschool, so you’ll want to learn how to support your child’s transition and communicate with their new school.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Learn about options for funding your child’s care into adulthood, and prepare to meet with an estate planning attorney.
Why
If you’re kept up at night wondering about supporting your child down the road, creating solid plans for their financial future can give you peace of mind and help your child secure public benefits.
These goals help you dive deeper to get more for your child once you already have the basics covered.
Popular goals
- Write my child’s school health plan
- Receive an Independent Education Evaluation
- Prepare a request for a 1:1 aide
Benefits you may be missing
- AAC
- Compensatory education
- School-based PT, OT, speech therapy
Age 12-15
Transitioning to middle school and then high school involves supports to help children with disabilities continue developing their academic skills, social skills, and functional life skills. These supports can be provided by the school district, insurance, and public benefits programs. Some programs, such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), have different evaluation criteria in the teen years for how much support a child needs compared to their typically developing peers, so it’s possible to get respite or supervision hours increased.
Theme for this age
Develop skills
What to focus on
IEP, Regional Center, IHSS
Undivided Goals
35+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Learn all the things you need to know about triennial assessments and how to best prepare for your IEP meeting.
Why
The triennial IEP may include more assessments, so knowing what to expect can help you advocate for what your child needs to make meaningful progress in school.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Are you making the most of the services you receive from Regional Center? Learn more about specialized supervision and how to request the hours your child needs.
Why
The hours that Regional Center will authorize can change based on your child’s age and needs as well as your work schedule, so a review may lead to better support for your family.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Supplemental Security Income can provide monthly cash benefits for individuals who qualify. Learn how to help your child apply to receive benefits.
Why
SSI benefits can be used to help support your child’s living expenses.
Every child’s needs are unique, so these goals help you find the right supports for your child, as well as how to fund them.
Popular goals
- Receive an inclusion aide for community integration from Regional Center
- Receive DME funding from Regional Center
- Fund my child’s mental health therapy
Benefits you may be missing
- Social-recreational funding from Regional Center
- Self-Determination Program
- IHSS paramedical service hours
Age 16-17
Although planning for the transition to adulthood can begin as early as 8th grade, age 16 is when many government programs officially provide support. Parents should work with their IEP teams and their child to develop an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) that considers future education, work, and living arrangements. This is the time for parents to plan for their child becoming a legal adult at 18.
Theme for this age
Prepare for adulthood
What to focus on
Regional Center, IEP, DOR
Undivided Goals
40+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
There is a variety of post-high school options available for students with disabilities. Learn about these options and how to find the best one for your child.
Why
You’ll be better able to support your child in adulthood if you know the many potential resources available and how to access them.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Once a year, it’s a great idea to review your child’s therapeutic and medical needs with members of their care team to see if current services are appropriate.
Why
As your child grows, their medical and therapeutic needs will evolve. Taking time to evaluate current services can help you know if you need to make a change.
What are your child’s specific needs at this stage of life? These goals help you see what supports are possible and how to get them.
Popular goals
- File out-of-network claims
- Find an education attorney
- Find a new PT
Benefits you may be missing
- Regional Center transition services
- More IHSS hours
- 1:1 aide
Age 18-22
Many students with an IEP have up to age 22 to obtain a high school diploma, during which time they may also participate in adult transition programs from the school district or Regional Center. Many government benefits programs have different eligibility criteria for minors than for individuals 18 and above, so young adults can see if they qualify for public medical insurance, food assistance, Social Security, and more.
Theme for this age
Get set up as a legal adult
What to focus on
Regional Center, Medi-Cal, SSI
Undivided Goals
25+ possible goals
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Regional Center offers a variety of services to help clients transition to legal adulthood at age 18. Learn more about these services and what may help your child.
Why
Knowing what support Regional Center offers can help you advocate for your child to receive all the resources that will help them thrive in adulthood.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Supplemental Security Income can provide monthly cash benefits for individuals who qualify. Learn how to help your young adult apply to receive benefits.
Why
SSI benefits can be used to help support your child’s living expenses.
Age
Diagnosis
Location
Unlocks
When to do it
Medi-Cal has different qualifying criteria for adults compared to minors, and Medi-Cal recipients are eligible for other public benefits as well.
Why
Medi-Cal can help cover medical and therapeutic services, equipment, and supplies, even if you already have primary insurance.
Every family will have a different financial future, so exploring your services and goals lets you plan for your young adult’s specific needs.
Popular goals
- Learn how to set up a conservatorship for my child
- Fund my child’s mental health therapy
- Enroll in the Self-Determination Program
Benefits you may be missing
- SSI
- CalFresh
- Cover co-pays with Medi-Cal
Get started on your free roadmap
Meet with an Undivided Navigator for your free Kickstart, and we’ll help you plan the next steps for your family.
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