Eligibility for Services
Help Me Grow (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. However, for parents, caregivers, providers or members of the general public who wish to find resources on their own, the list below has been vetted by HMG LA’s Family Partners. Please review carefully to see if they are right for you. Feel free to share with friends, colleagues, and networks.
If you need live assistance from HMG LA, please contact our Family Partners through the client referral form or by phone at (833) 903-3972.
This organization provides support to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); to empower them in self-advocacy by way of education, camaraderie and support; and to educate the Armenian Community for a full and meaningful integration of all individuals.
This organization is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families, through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
This organization helps to create pathways for teens and adults with autism so that they can develop meaningful relationship, secure desired employment, and find affordable housing while being as self-sufficient as possible.
The Braille Institute's Child Development Program helps parents find resources and support to maximize their child's growth and development. There are community parent groups, family workshops, educational series, Braille Institute services, and much more.
This organization provides culturally and linguistically relevant services to empower monolingual and bilingual Chinese American families/caretakers with special needs individuals through advocacy, community education, resources and social network support, and to improve the quality of life of special needs individuals.
Disability Rights California is a nonprofit legal services organization that helps families of people with disabilities with information and advocacy. Learn tips from DRC to help you and your family advocate to healthcare and other services. Learn information about the rules for private insurance for Early Start services.
This organization enhances the quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome by fostering family engagement, encouraging connections, and providing information while promoting inclusion, acceptance and awareness of individuals with Down syndrome.
This phone line is staffed by people who work for the state Early Start program; they can help trouble-shoot if parents are having difficulty with enrollment in Early Start services for a child age 0 through 2 with developmental delays.
An easy-to-understand overview of the Early Start program for infants and toddlers.
EThis organization promotes public awareness of Fragile X Syndrome with special emphasis on educators and health professionals; provide a forum for families and children with Fragile X to meet and share their ideas, concerns and problems; and support scientific research on Fragile X Syndrome.
Search for a family resource center to receive assistance, coaching and other Early Start (birth through age 2) services.
This organization provides information and training to Latino families on how to obtain services for all persons with disabilities. In addition, training is provided to professionals who work with these families.
This organization provides support, information, and guidance for Hispanic families, who have a relative who has been diagnosed with any type of developmental disability, and to unify them through special events and counseling services.
This organization provides assistance to the parents and families of children with special needs in the Japanese-speaking community. Primary among the activities is the exchange of information regarding available services and programs through regularly scheduled meetings, seminars, e-mails and newsletters. Through related groups, JSPACC has access to a variety of professional speakers, consultants and referral information.
You may be able to receive early intervention services for your child starting at age 3 as part of the L.A. County special education program. Search for your school district main office.
Learn about developmental disabilities, who is eligible for regional center services, and how to show the regional center your child is eligible for services.
This organization provides legal assistance regarding special education.
Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA) provides advocacy and legal services for clients in all 21 regional centers throughout California. There is a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) for each Regional Center. The CRA helps with legal problems, conducts trainings and investigates denials of rights.
Parent support, advocacy and education culturally relevant organizations that assist families who have difficulty getting traditional services in their language. They also provide parent education and support groups. A number of parent organizations, such as those listed above, have emerged focusing on the needs of specific racial, ethnic and linguistically diverse families. Click on the link to download.
Search for the Regional Center nearest you by entering your zip code or view a single page with addresses and phone numbers for all LA Regional Centers.
Prepare for a Regional Center eligibility hearing for children three years of age and older who have been denied regional center eligibility.
Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) in Los Angeles County are provided to meet the needs of students with disabilities. A SELPA may include one school district or several school districts that are located close to one another.
This is a parent-run organization that supports families who have a child with autism or other developmental disabilities.
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit organization that provides special education support for people with disabilities from birth to age 26 and their families. TASK supports all disabilities. The TASK Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center, funded through the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education, is the largest in southern California. Los Angeles County is one of the six southern California counties served.
