Referrals and Eligibility

Parents, physicians or anyone with a concern about a child's development can make a referral. Please have a discussion with the family before making a referral. Referrals can be made to the HOPE Infant Family Support Program by calling the referral line and leaving a voice message at 619-594-7416, operated by the Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC), or on the EFRC website. Referrers can expect a return call within 48 hours. 

The EFRC also provides the following services for families:

• Parent Support Groups
• Parent to Parent Support
• Parent Education and Information

Assessments and Eligibility

Infants and toddlers who have a significant developmental delay(s) or have a medical condition with a known probability of causing a disability or developmental delay are eligible for HOPE services. An infant's/toddler's eligibility for special education services is determined through a developmental assessment.

The developmental assessment measures an infant's/toddler's skills across five developmental areas. Parents/guardians actively participate in the process of assessment by sharing information about the infant's/toddler's developmental history, skills, strengths, preferences, and difficulties. The developmental assessment includes a formal assessment, review of records including medical information, observations and parent interviews.

Once eligibility is determined, an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) is developed by a team that includes the family, HOPE staff, and staff from other California Early Start agencies within 45 days of the referral. Early intervention specialists may utilize a variety of other assessments as they work with families to monitor developmental progress and plan for educational services. Additionally, HOPE is required to administer state-mandated assessments such as the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP (2015)).