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Eligibility Information

North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) is one of 21 private, non-profit organizations under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate and provide community-based services to persons with developmental disabilities (consumers), as well as providing Early Start services for infants and toddlers with certain delays and established risk conditions. NLACRC serves people who live in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys.

Depending on the age of the person applying, please complete either the Early Start Program application (0-3 years old) or Lanterman Act Services (over 3 and adult) application to begin the intake process.

Early Start Program (Ages 0-3)

‘A Family Introduction to California Early Start’ Brochure
Common Services

Eligibility for Early Start is based on an infant or toddler having one or more of the following conditions:

• A 25% delay in one or more areas of development (cognitive, physical, expressive language, receptive language, social or emotional, adaptive) before 36 months.
• High-Risk for developmental disability due to a combination of two or more risk factors.
• An Established Risk condition. This is a diagnosed medical condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, and/or disability.

To determine your child’s eligibility, NLACRC will complete an evaluation to assess your child’s developmental level. Additionally, a review of your child’s available medical history/records is required. Early Start eligibility determination may take up to 45 days.

Birth to five (5) years old children may be eligible for regional center services under the Lanterman Act provisionally.

The child does not need to be found to have a developmental disability to be eligible if the child from birth or five (5) years old. However, the child must:

• Have a disability that is not solely physical nature, and
• Must have significant functional limitations in at least two of the following areas:
• Self-care
• Receptive and expressive language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-direction

Prior to age five (5), a child must be reassessed to see if the child has a developmental disability which is needed to be eligible for ongoing regional center services.

To apply or re-apply for services, apply below or call (818) 778-1900.

If you currently receive Early Start services, ask your Service Coordinator for more information.

Lanterman Act Services (Ages 3+ through Adult)

To be eligible for Regional Center Services an individual must have a Developmental Disability as per California Law and Regulation.

A developmental disability is a condition attributable to:

• Intellectual Disability
• Epilepsy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or requiring treatment similar to.

Additionally, the disability must: Originate prior to the age of 18, continues or is expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial disability for the person. Substantial disability means significant functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity of independent living, economic self-sufficiency. A developmental disability does not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature, solely psychiatric in nature and solely learning disabilities.

To determine the applicant’s eligibility, NLACRC will complete an intake assessment which may include collection of historical diagnostic information, such as medical records, school records, prior psychological testing as well as provision of diagnostic evaluation (s) if indicated. The applicant’s information is confidential and will only be released with your written consent. Please be informed that the evaluation process cannot begin prior to receipt of your written consent. Eligibility determination may take up to 120 days.