TRIBAL EARLY STARTÂ OUTREACH
California Tribal Families Coalition has begun a new initiative that is focused on the health and wellness of our youngest tribal children population who have or at-risk of having intellectual or developmental disabilities. In December of 2020, California Tribal Families Coalition released the Tribal Early Intervention Report which highlighted the systemic failure to provide outreach, training, early detection and intervention information to tribes and their education and child welfare programs by the California Health and Human Services. This violation of federal and states laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Lanterman Act puts Native American children and families at risk.
The mission of California Tribal Families Coalition Tribal Early Start Outreach program is to ensure that regional centers are providing equal access and services through Early Start to the most vulnerable of our Native American children and families.
WHAT IS
EARLY START?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Infants and toddlers from birth to age 36 months may be eligible for early intervention services through Early Start if, through documented evaluation and assessment, they meet one of the criteria listed below:
- have a developmental delay of at least 33% in one or more areas of cognitive, communication, social or emotional, adaptive, or physical and motor development including vision and hearing; or
- have an established risk condition of known etiology, with a high probability of resulting in delayed development; or
- be considered at high risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of biomedical risk factors of which are diagnosed by qualified personnel
California Government Code: Section 95014(a)
California Code of Regulations: Title 17, Chapter 2, Section 52022
To file a complaint directly with the Department of Developmental Services, visit their website here.