A referral must be made to the regional center or school district, orally or in writing, by the parent, a doctor, or any other service provider. A brief letter or phone call describing the child’s needs and the request for early intervention services is enough to start the assessment process.
Primary referral sources are hospitals (including prenatal and postnatal care facilities), doctors, parents, childcare programs, school districts, public health facilities, agencies and staff in the child welfare system, homeless family shelters, domestic violence shelters, other social service agencies and other health care providers. Referrals shall be made “as soon as possible but in no case more than seven days, after a child has been identified.” [34 C.F.R. Sec. 303.303(a) & (c); 17 C.C.R. Sec. 52040.]