HOPE Infant Family Support Program

​The HOPE Infant Family Support Program provides family-centered, coordinated early intervention services to children with a wide variety of disabilities.

Early intervention services are provided to children and families according to the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP). Once eligibility is determined, an IFSP is developed by a team that includes the family, HOPE staff, and staff from other California Early Start agencies. The IFSP is developed based on individual family priorities and concerns.

Each family receiving HOPE services is assigned a service coordinator and early intervention specialist(s).  The early intervention specialists are the consistent contact for the family and will help in coordinating educational services. HOPE services are provided by partnering with the parent/guardian in the infant’s/toddler’s natural environment.  Through partnerships with the family, services are tailored to each child and family and can include parent/guardian coaching as well as direct interaction with the child.

The following special education services are available based on the IFSP:

• Assistive Technology Services
• Audiological services
• Family training and counseling
• Language and speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Service coordination
• Social work services
• Special instruction
• Specialized deaf and hard of hearing services
• Specialized vision services

Services are provided in the home language of the family.

How To Make a Referral to the HOPE Infant Program

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)) and SKI-HI Language Development Scale.

HOPE supports families that live within the boundaries of the North Coastal, North Inland, Poway, or South County SELPAs. Families who live within the boundaries of East County are served by: Cajon Valley Union School District, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and Lakeside Union School District. Families who live within the San Diego City limits are served by San Diego Unified School District.

SELPA MAP

Download SELPA Map (PDF)