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Center for Disease Control and other resources on this page help in identifying the early signs of a developmental delay. In addition are categories of information on Healthy Development and Developmental Milestones, Working with Families, When Concerns Arise, Developmental Screening, Referral for Evaluation and Assessment and ongoing support through Community Resources/Support for Families. They provide a well rounded set of resources to support families and providers to “Act Early” to address concerns.
Early Identification Guide
Community Resources/Support for Families
Developmental Screening
Early Intervention & Developmental Services
Heatlhy Development & Developmental Milestones
Referral for Evaluation & Assessment
When Concerns Arise
Working with Families

Early Identification Guide

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Early Identification Guide (PDF)California MAP
The Early Identification Guide provides a simple graphic and summary describing the key elements of early identification and Developmental Screening. Spanish translation: Identificación Temprana (PDF)
Translations: Spanish
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Road Map for Helping Your Child Grow (PDF)
The Road Map for Helping Your Child Grow is a tool that service providers can give to families to document the summary results of an ASQ Screening, along with next…
Translations: Spanish

Community Resources/Support for Families

Featured image for “Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act EarlyCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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Early Childhood & Transition LookupCalifornia Department of Developmental Services
Navigating early childhood and transition resources just got a little easier! The Department (DDS) is excited to announce the launch of the Early Childhood & Transition Resources Lookup. It is a…
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MAP’s County Specific Resources: Organizations that Support Children with Disabilities and Their FamiliesCalifornia MAP
Organizations supporting children with disabilities and inclusion/behavior resources in each county are found here. Included are Regional Centers, Early Start Family Resource Centers, Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and…
Featured image for “Parent Outreach & Support: Special Education Best Practices for Transitioning to Preschool”
Parent Outreach & Support: Special Education Best Practices for Transitioning to PreschoolCalifornia Early Childhood Special Education Network (CalECSE)
Did you know that every Regional Center throughout California has a Family Resource Center (FRC)? These FRCs work in partnership with the Regional Centers and LEAs and provide parents, families…

Developmental Screening

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Brookes Publishing
Brookes has published highly respected resources in early childhood, early intervention, inclusive and special education, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, communication and language, behavior, and mental health. ASQ-3 ASQ-3 ASQ-3 screens…
Featured image for “Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act EarlyCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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Developmental and Behavioral Screening Guide for Early Care and Education ProvidersWestEd
Developmental and Behavioral Screening Guide for Early Care and Education Providers was developed by the California Statewide Screening Collaborative and funded by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Early…
Featured image for “Early Identification Guide (PDF)”
Early Identification Guide (PDF)California MAP
The Early Identification Guide provides a simple graphic and summary describing the key elements of early identification and Developmental Screening. Spanish translation: Identificación Temprana (PDF)
Translations: Spanish
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First Signs
First Signs is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism and related disorders. Autism Navigator Micro Learning Center Micro Learning…
Featured image for “MAP’s County Specific Resources: Organizations that Support Children with Disabilities and Their Families”
MAP’s County Specific Resources: Organizations that Support Children with Disabilities and Their FamiliesCalifornia MAP
Organizations supporting children with disabilities and inclusion/behavior resources in each county are found here. Included are Regional Centers, Early Start Family Resource Centers, Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and…

Early Intervention & Developmental Services

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California Early Start Information PacketCalifornia Department of Developmental Services
This Early Start Standardized Information Packet is for Children Aged 0-3 In California, early intervention services are offered by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) through a program called Early…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Guide to California’s Regional Center Services System (PDF)California Department of Developmental Services
This information packet talks about how to get regional center services. It should be helpful for children ages 3 to adult.
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Parent Guide to Regional Center Services (PDF)California Department of Developmental Services
A wide variety of services are available to Californians with developmental disabilities in each stage of their lives. Services are person-centered and designed to meet a variety of unique needs…
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Regional Center Eligibility and ServicesCalifornia Department of Developmental Services
Summarizes eligibility by age group and includes links to additional information and FAQ’s on Provisional Eligibility in several languages
Translations: Multiple languages

Heatlhy Development & Developmental Milestones

Featured image for “25 Questions Early Childhood Professionals Should Ask Families”
25 Questions Early Childhood Professionals Should Ask FamiliesBrookes Publishing
Today’s families are increasingly complex and diverse—and as a professional working with young children, you’ll need to gather a solid foundation of information as you partner with their families. This…
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All About Young Children: Information for Families on Children’s Early Development
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. You have experienced how fascinating and how puzzling your young child can sometimes be. We invite you to explore with us…
Translations: Multiple languages
Featured image for “Bringing the Signs of Early Autism into Focus Video Tutorial (Video)”
Bringing the Signs of Early Autism into Focus Video Tutorial (Video)
The Kennedy Krieger Institute and Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have published a free online video to improve the recognition of the early signs of autism…
Featured image for “Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act Early”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn the Signs Act EarlyCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a…
Translations: Spanish
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First Signs
First Signs is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early warning signs of autism and related disorders. Autism Navigator Micro Learning Center Micro Learning…
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First Words Project
FIRST WORDS© Project is a longitudinal research investigation in the Florida State University Autism Institute in the College of Medicine directed by Dr. Amy Wetherby. Our major goal is to…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Milestone Tracker Mobile App
Milestones matter! Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with CDC’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out…
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Pathways.orgPathways
Since 1985, Pathways.org has helped parents and healthcare professionals work together to maximize babies’ development. For over 40 years, we have provided free and trusted resources to identify early motor,…
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PBS Kids for ParentsPublic Broadcasting Services (PBS)
Young children are always developing and exploring their world. Whether it’s learning empathy, honesty and self-confidence, or reading, music and problem solving, there are opportunities and challenges at every age.…
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Public Broadcasting System (PBS) Parents: Child Development Tracker
Provides information and tips for ages 1 through age 8 on developmental stages and educational areas. Also provides supporting activities and books for each age.
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Will They Grow Out of It? Should I Be Concerned?
One of the challenges of parenting is knowing when it is time to get help for a child’s development, behavior and learning. When a child seems behind or something just…
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Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. Zero to Three disseminates key developmental information, trains providers, promotes…

Referral for Evaluation & Assessment

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CalECSE: Parent ResourcesCalifornia Early Childhood Special Education Network (CalECSE)
Journey through Early Intervention: A Parent’s Story In this enlightening presentation we delve into the intricate pathways of early intervention and special education assessment through the eyes of a parent…
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California Early Start
California Early Start provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3. This site describes the services, eligibility and how to make a referral.
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Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
The FRCNCA is a coalition of California’s 47 Early Start Family Resource Centers. Staffed by families of children with special needs, family resource centers offer parent-to-parent support and help parents,…

When Concerns Arise

Featured image for “Head Start ECLKC: Disabilities Services Newsletters – When Concerns Arise”
Head Start ECLKC: Disabilities Services Newsletters – When Concerns AriseHead Start
The Head Start Disabilities Services Newsletter is produced monthly by the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL). It is dedicated to staff working with young children…
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HealthyChildren.org
Does My Child Have Physical Developmental Delays? Oct 2018 This publication from the National Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement explores how understanding the cultural perspectives of families can…
Translations: Spanish
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If You’re ConcernedCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an overview for parents of what to do if they are concerned about their child’s development. Webpage addresses Why Act Early?…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Talking with Parents When You Have Concerns About a Child in Your CareCalifornia MAP
This PowerPoint™ and accompanying article is designed to provide a framework for caregivers (anyone providing child care or out-of-school care for children) when they have concerns that a child in…
Translations: Chinese & Spanish
Featured image for “Reasons for Concern: That your child or a child in your care may need special help (PDF)”
Reasons for Concern: That your child or a child in your care may need special help (PDF)
Revised: Oct 2020 This brochure is a collaborative effort between the Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Education. The brochure is designed to facilitate finding and identifying…
Translations: Multiple languages
Featured image for “Tips for Talking with Parents About Developmental Concerns”
Tips for Talking with Parents About Developmental ConcernsCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
This tip sheet reinforces the messages in the MAP PowerPoint, Talking to Parents When You Have Concerns About a Child in Your Care.

Working with Families

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Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC)
The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CECMHC) was funded as an Innovation and Improvement Project by the Office of Head Start in October 2008. The 3-year grant brings…
Translations: Spanish
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Engaging Families in Healthy Development – Get your FREE Family ToolkitAges & Stages
Adapted from the trusted Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ®) family of products, this toolkit of resources will help you engage families in nurturing their child’s developmental and social-emotional skills. Families…
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Engaging Families of Children with DisabilitiesHead Start
Learning about the hopes and goals of families of children with disabilities is important. It is equally crucial to communicate to families in culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate ways. This…
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Family Engagement (MAP)California MAP
The MAP… Making Access Possible Project team has identified the following websites and resources that support family engagement and promote partnerships with families.
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Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. Zero to Three disseminates key developmental information, trains providers, promotes…