Home How We Help California's Children Children with Special Needs Program Information
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0 Children with Special Needs - Program Information

First 5 California Special Needs Project

In March 2003, First 5 California launched the $22.4 million Special Needs Project to promote and improve early screening and support for children with special needs and their families. The overall goal of the project is to support and strengthen other First 5 California programs in identifying and providing services for children with special needs.  The goals of the project include:

  • Promoting strategies for early identification and intervention.
  • Promoting school readiness for children with special needs.
  • Producing evaluation results for evidence based results.
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How Does the Special Needs Project Work?

The First 5 California Special Needs Project works with families, caregivers, child care providers, teachers, First 5 County Commissions, health and social services agencies and others to screen and support young children with a wide range of disabilities and other special needs. It is being implemented through 10 Demonstration Sites.

Specifically, the Special Needs Project emphasizes:
  • Universal access to screening for early identification and referral

  • Improved access and utilization of new and existing services

  • Inclusion of children with special needs in preschools and other community settings with resources to help them succeed

  • Evaluation to identify effective practices and to improve programs


Infant, Preschool and Family Mental Health Initiative

The Special Needs Project is committed to addressing mental health issues, and one way it addressed this was through the California Infant, Preschool and Mental Health Initiative. Although formally concluded in December 2005, this effort involved the Mental Health Departments in eight counties and their community partners. Together, they developed early mental health services and relationship-based early interventions for children from birth to 5 years old and their families. The products and lessons learned continue to be utilized by the 10 Demonstration Sites.



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