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Agencies & benefits

Early intervention from birth to 3: Early Start, ECI and Early Steps

Babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities can get early intervention services under Part C of IDEA. Each state runs its own program, and you don't need a diagnosis or a doctor's referral to ask for an evaluation.

Updated · 3 min read

Your state's program

  • California: Early Start, run with Regional Centers (and school districts for some children).
  • Texas: Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission through local providers.
  • Florida: Early Steps, run by the Florida Department of Health through local Early Steps offices.

How it works

  1. Anyone can refer a child, including parents. Call your local program.
  2. Your child gets a free evaluation and assessment.
  3. If eligible, you and the team write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), within 45 days of the referral.
  4. Services (speech, OT, PT, developmental services, family coaching) often happen at home or in daily routines. Evaluation and service coordination are free; some programs ask for a sliding-scale fee for certain services.

Turning 3

Part C ends at age 3. Your service coordinator should start planning the transition well before the third birthday, with a transition conference at least 90 days before, so the school district can evaluate your child for preschool special education and an IEP if needed.

The process in Lumina

How Lumina helps, step by step

  1. 1

    Track the 45-day IFSP timeline

    An “Agency / benefits” deadline 45 days after your referral, with reminders.

  2. 2

    Plan the transition early

    A deadline 6 months before the third birthday to start the transition, and another for the transition conference.

  3. 3

    Note each session

    A Speech or OT note after each visit: what was worked on, what to practice at home.

  4. 4

    Keep the IFSP

    Upload each IFSP and evaluation to Documents; bring a summary to the transition meeting with the school district.

Everything you write stays encrypted on your device: neither Lumina nor anyone else can read it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a diagnosis?+

No. A developmental delay can be enough, and the evaluation is free.

What happens if my child isn't eligible?+

You'll get a written notice. You can ask for a re-evaluation later or appeal, and your pediatrician can keep monitoring development.

Everything about your child's care, finally in one place

Care notes, deadlines with reminders, an encrypted document vault and PDF summaries. Free during the beta, no credit card.

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This guide gives general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules and timelines vary by state and district and can change: check with your school district, your state agency or the official websites. Lumina is not a medical device.