When Maria’s son Julian turned 18 months, she noticed something troubling. He still was not babbling. Friends told her not to worry, and even her pediatrician suggested waiting for the next checkup.
Six months later, nothing had changed. Only after a friend mentioned California’s Early Start program did she learn she could request a free Infant Development Assessment. Valuable time had already been lost.
Stories like Maria’s play out every day across San Diego County. Families see developmental red flags like delayed speech, difficulty crawling or walking, or limited eye contact. Many do not know where to go or assume they must wait for a doctor’s referral. California offers one of the strongest early-intervention systems in the country, yet many families never access it.
An Infant Development Assessment is the first step in Early Start, which provides free evaluations and services for children from birth to age three. These assessments identify developmental delays during a window when the brain forms over one million neural connections per second. Early intervention improves language, social development, and long-term outcomes.
According to the California Department of Developmental Services, only 5% to 6% of the state’s children under age three are enrolled in Early Start. In San Diego County, that equals about 5,500 children out of roughly 90,000. National prevalence estimates indicate that 15% percent of children have a developmental delay, suggesting that 8,000 to 10,000 San Diego infants and toddlers likely qualify for services but have not been assessed.
The gap is not minor; it is significant. Children who miss early evaluation miss an early opportunity. Families facing language barriers, transportation challenges, or confusing eligibility rules are most affected. Many do not know they can self-refer for a free assessment. Others mistakenly believe services are costly. Early Start is a free public program available to all California families, regardless of income.
Pediatricians play a vital role, yet even committed providers face packed schedules and limited screening time. Fewer than 50% of young children in California receive a standardized developmental screening during well-child visits. A 2022 report from the California Department of Health Care Services indicates that developmental screening rates for children with Medi-Cal were significantly lower, at 25.4%. This means many families leave appointments without ever hearing about Early Start.
At Home of Guiding Hands, our teams conduct hundreds of Infant Development Assessments each year through partnerships with the San Diego Regional Center and Early Start providers. Early identification changes lives. Children who once struggled to make eye contact begin to communicate and play with peers. Parents who felt overwhelmed become supported and informed. We also meet families who were told to “wait and see” until age three, when the window for intervention begins to narrow.
Delayed assessment carries developmental, emotional, and economic costs. Early intervention improves school readiness and reduces the need for special education and long-term services. Research consistently shows that every dollar invested in early intervention yields seven to ten dollars in future savings.
San Diego has the professionals, programs, and partnerships to close this gap. What is needed is coordinated awareness and outreach across systems.
Families first need clear direction. The Early Start BabyLine connects parents directly with regional center staff who can schedule assessments and explain eligibility. Schools, childcare providers, and community organizations can help deliver this message in every language used in the county.
Awareness must extend beyond pediatric offices. Families trust teachers, childcare staff, church leaders, and neighbors. Hospitals, early-education programs, and family resource centers can collaborate to make referrals simple and stigma-free.
We also need to meet families where they are. Information about milestones and assessments should be visible in pediatric offices, preschools, WIC clinics, community centers, and public events. Accessible outreach leads to earlier connection to services. The first three years of life shape long-term development.
When we identify concerns early, we change the trajectory of a child, a family, and the broader community. The science is clear, the services are available, and the success stories are here in San Diego. What is missing is awareness.
Maria often wonders what might have been different if she had known about Early Start sooner. “I wish someone had told me,” she says. “It would have made all the difference.” For Julian, and thousands of San Diego’s youngest learners, now is the time to make sure every parent hears that message.
If you have concerns about your baby’s development or know a family who might, call the Early Start BabyLine at 1-800-515-BABY or contact the San Diego Regional Center. Early action creates opportunity.
Edward Hershey is president and CEO of Home of Guiding Hands in El Cajon.
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