Special Education/EIS

All states and territories must provide early intervention services to children who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays, from birth to their third birthday.

Most CONUS locations, local school districts or health departments provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because that is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs has a list of resources specific to each state to help you determine who you should contact. Your installation EFMP Family Support provider can also answer your questions.

If you are moving OCONUS or to a CONUS location with a DODEA school (and you live on installation), your child will receive EIS through the Defense Department’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, or EDIS, program.

When moving, you should hand carry copies of your child's most current individual family service plan, or IFSP, and the most current evaluation reports to your new home to ensure they are not lost.

All states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21.

When a child transfers to a different district in the same state, the new school must provide a free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, until the previously held IEP is adopted or a new one is developed and implemented. When a child transfers to another state, the receiving school must provide comparable services until an IEP review can determine if a new evaluation or IEP is appropriate.

If you are moving and your child receives special education and related services, you should hand carry all necessary school and medical documents, including the most current IEP and current evaluation reports. Hand carrying these documents ensures that they are not lost and allows the new school to begin the process as soon as you arrive.

• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Individualized Education Program & Moving
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit
• Special Needs Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

For early intervention assistance, school districts request individuals contact them for specific information. You may obtain additional information by contacting:

National Information Center for Children & Youth with Handicaps  at P.O. Box 1492 Washington, D.C. 20010, Telephone 1-800-695-0285

HOPE Infant Family Support Program: -- San Diego County Office of Education offers Early Intervention Services to children ages 0-3. HOPE is a public school program for special education and offers a broad range of services such as, but not limited to, assessment/ongoing review of child's developmental progress: home visits by instructional staff: consulting services in specialized areas --Nursing, Speech & Language, OT & PT, Vision, and Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Premature Infant Development. Services are provided at no charge. Services are available in English and Spanish.

• North San Diego County 760-471-7353 and South San Diego County and Metro area 858-292-3700 provide services from regional centers.  Services are provided to people (children and adults) with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Epilepsy, Autism and other conditions that have a substantial effect on self care, mobility, communication and the capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency.  Some of the services provided to these groups are Early Intervention, Physical and Occupational therapy services, respite care hours, vocational training and placement services. Contact the local offices for an eligibility evaluation.

TASK (Team of Advocates For Special Kids), is a non-profit corporation to which parents of children with disabilities can turn for assistance and support in seeking and obtaining needed early intervention, educational, medical, or therapeutic support services for their children. For the Southern California military representative call 909-609-3218 (collect ok).

MAAC Project HEAD START -- MAAC Project Head Start is a bilingual/multicultural, early childhood and family education program funded by the Federal Government. Services are provided in Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Fallbrook, Pauma Valley and Valley Center.  Low-income and special needs children between the ages of 3 to 5 or until kindergarten ready may be eligible. Age and Federal Income guidelines determine qualification for this program.

You must have your child's birth certificate and immunization record, proof of income verification, i.e., income pay stubs for previous last 12 months, military LES, AFDC eligibility or Income Tax IRS Form 1040. If your child has special needs, please submit a copy of your child's IEP or Diagnostic Report.

Head Start services include Education, Health Services, Social Services, Nutrition, Special Needs Services and Parent Involvement.

Centers are located at:

• Oceanside I Center (Americanization), 1210 Division Street, Oceanside, CA 92054 - Phone: 760-721-4692
• Oceanside II Center (Island Club), 2322 Catalina Circle, Oceanside, CA 92057 - Phone: 760-941-7616 or 941-6935
• Oceanside III Center (Baldarrama), 709 San Diego Street, Oceanside, CA 92057 - Phone: 760-433-5153/5154
• Oceanside IV Center (St. Anne's), 701 West Street, Oceanside, CA 92056 - Phone: 760-966-3395
• Vista I Center, 739 Olive Ave., Vista, CA 92083 - Phone: 760-726-4272/4131
• Vista II Center (Raintree Park), 545 E. Townside Dr., Vista, CA 92083 - Phone: 760-631-2695/2696
• Vista III Center, 1410 Foothill Dr., Vista, CA 92084 - Phone: 760-639-4465
• San Marcos I Center, 634 W. Mission Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069 - Phone: 760-744-2110
• San Marcos II Center, 139 Gosnell Way, San Marcos, CA 92069 - Phone: 760-736-3066
• San Marcos III Center, 444 Firebird Lane, San Marcos, CA 92069 - Phone: 760-591-7713
• Fallbrook Center, 405 W. Fallbrook St., Fallbrook, CA 92028 - Phone: 760-723-4188
• Rincon/Valley Center, 33509 Valley Center Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082 - Phone: 760-749-5190/5192

Program Options

1. Center Based Programs -- Children attend pre-school 3 1/2 hours per day, four days per week from September to May.
2. Home Based Programs -- Children and parents have the opportunity to learn together. The Home Base Teacher comes into the home one time per week for 1 1/2 hours. Children visit the Head Start Classroom two times per month for socialization activities.
3. Head Start Family Child Care Program (FCCP) -- The program offers a nurturing pre-school program in a home setting. Children attend school for up to 10 hours per day, five days per week, Monday through Friday, from July to June (year-round). FCCP is offered to Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos residents. It is offered to parents who work or attend school/training program full-time.
4. Full Day - Full Year Program -- Children attend pre-school for up to 10 hours per day, five days per week, Monday through Friday, from July to June (year-round). This program is offered in San Marcos, Vista and Oceanside. FD-FY is offered to parents who work or attend a school/training program full-time.