Programs and
Support
We all want what’s best for our children. Help Me Grow (HMG) LA is here for you to help your child thrive. You’re not alone. HMG LA’s Family Partners, all who have experience raising children with special needs, offer information, resources, and connections to free or low-cost programs directly in your community. HMG LA also provides tips and tools to support your child’s developmental milestones and growth.
Every child is unique. There are different programs and services available to you depending on the needs and age of your child. HMG LA ‘s Family Partners can help you find services and programs to meet your child’s needs.
A Regional Center provides services for people with developmental disabilities throughout their lives. The Regional Centers can do assessments and coordinate or offer community support, resources, and services. They have two programs: Early Start for children ages 0-3 and Lanterman Act for children ages 3 and above. A service coordinator works with your family to create a plan to provide services based on your child’s needs and goals.
Early Start Program: California’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers birth through age 2 who have a developmental delay or who are at risk for a developmental disability. The Early Start program can provide services and resources to help a child with their development. The Service Coordinator from this program helps the family develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Eligibility is determined if there is a developmental delay of at least 25% in one or more areas, or have an established risk condition of known cause, or are considered at high risk of having a substantial developmental delay.
Lanterman Act Services: Some children will continue to qualify for Regional Center after they turn 3 thanks to the Lanterman Act. Assistance is provided to people of all ages with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and other disabling conditions closely related to intellectual disability. In addition, they provide intake and assessment services to determine if a developmental disability is present and lifelong service coordination for developmentally disabled individuals is available. No matter what age a person is, if the disability can be traced back to have started before age 18, that person may be eligible for Regional Center Lanterman Act services.
Los Angeles County Regional Centers:
East Los Angeles Regional Center ELARC
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center FDLRC
Harbor Regional Center HRC
North Los Angeles County Regional Center NLACRC
South Central Los Angeles Regional Center SCLARC
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center SGPRC
Westside Regional Center WRC
Find the correct Regional Center and Family Resource Center based on your home address.
Or fill out our Family and Caregiver Help Form and connect with our team for assistance!
Provides parent-to-parent/caregiver emotional support, free information, resources, referrals, parent training and education.
Family Resource Center services are available for families of infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 who are part of the Early Start Program. Family Resource Centers work in partnership with local Regional Centers. Family Resource Centers know their communities well and can provide local resources. The people who work there understand the concerns and challenges parents and caregivers face when searching for services and information, and many are parents of children with disabilities themselves. Family support services are available in many languages and are culturally responsive to family needs. Read more about Family Resource Centers at: Family Resource Center Network of California
Family Empowerment Centers are parent-led organizations provide training, information, and advocacy support to families regarding special education for children ages 3 through 21. Find a Family Empowerment Center
Find a Family Resource Center near you with this interactive map:
LAC Regional Center and Family Resource Center Service Locator
or by zip code:
LAC Family Resource Center Network
Early Head Start and Head Start are federally funded programs that provide childcare and wraparound support like developmental screenings as well as other educational, health and social services for low-income children and children birth to age 5 with an IFSP or an Individualized Educational Program (IEP).
Public schools are mandated to provide educational services and supports for children with special needs ages 3-21. The IEP is designed to meet the needs of the child. There is no cost for parents. Special education support services help families understand and navigate through special education for students with special needs. Every school district has their own special education program. If your child is a student in Los Angeles Unified, please contact the LAUSD Early Childhood Special Education intake/referral line at (213) 241-4713. If your child is in a district other than LAUSD, please contact your local school district main office and ask about special education supports.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law. The law protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. People with disabilities cannot be excluded from participating in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. They also cannot be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in these programs because of their disability. This means children with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations to learning and school programs. The kinds of accommodations that may be offered depends on the disability and the services and aids needed to meet their educational needs as adequately as the educational needs of children without disabilities. An eligible child may have a plan written up to protect his or her individualized right to participate in activities provided by a program receiving financial assistance. Section 504 applies to all educational entities that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations when they attend colleges, universities, and postsecondary (after high school) vocational education and adult education programs. For more information about these services and programs visit: Section 504
