Infants and toddlers (age 0 to 36 months) who are at risk of having developmental disabilities or who have a developmental delay may qualify for services. The criteria for determining the eligibility of infants and toddlers is specified in Section 95014 of the California Government Code, as at least one of the following:

• a developmental delay of at least 33% in one or more areas of either:
  • cognitive
  • communication
  • social or emotional
  • adaptive
  • physical and motor development including vision and hearing
• an established risk condition of known etiology, with a high probability of delayed development
• high risk of having a substantial developmental disability due to a combination of biomedical risk factors

In addition, individuals at risk of having a child with a developmental disability may be eligible for genetic diagnosis, counseling, and other prevention services. For information about these services, see Early Start.

In addition to meeting eligibility criteria, to qualify for services through Regional Center of Orange County the child must reside in Orange County. If the child lives in a county other than Orange, you can find the child's local Regional Center using this directory.

Regional Center eligibility criteria is defined by law, in Section 4512 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

Diagnoses that may qualify a person for Regional Center services include the following developmental disabilities:

• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Intellectual Disability
• Epilepsy
• Conditions closely related to, or that require treatment similar to, that required for an intellectual disability

In addition, to qualify for Regional Center services, a person’s developmental disability must:

• originate prior to age 18
• be expected to continue indefinitely
• be a substantial disability as defined by Title 17, Section 54001 of the California Code of Regulations, meaning the person experiences significant limitations in three or more of the following areas:
  • self-care
  • language
  • learning
  • mobility
  • self-direction
  • capacity for independent living
  • economic self-sufficiency

(This definition does not include any handicapping condition that is solely psychiatric, solely a learning disability or solely physical in nature.) 

In addition to meeting eligibility criteria, to qualify for services through Regional Center of Orange County the individual must reside in Orange County. If the individual lives in a county other than Orange, you can find the local Regional Center using this directory.

Video Series: Determining Eligibility (Ages 3 and Older)

In order to find out if you or your child is eligible to receive services through the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC), you will need to complete the Early Start Program Application Packet.  Please select from one of the options below:

• Early Start Application Packet - English
• Early Start Application Packet - Spanish
• Early Start Application Packet - Vietnamese
• Early Start Application Packet - Korean

To determine your child’s eligibility for Early Start (birth to age 3) Services, RCOC will conduct a comprehensive intake process including an evaluation of your child’s developmental level and a review of available medical records/history. The Early Start Program Application Packet contains all of the forms required for RCOC to initiate the intake process.

Upon submitting a completed Early Start Program Application Packet, an Early Start Service Coordinator will be assigned to your child’s case and they will contact you to schedule an intake appointment.

The application can be submitted via:

• • • DocuSign
    • Email:             intake@nullrcocdd.com
    • Fax:                 (714) 796-5200
    • US Mail:
      •     Regional Center of Orange County
      •     Attention: Intake Department
                    P.O. Box 22010, Santa Ana, CA 92702-2010

You may also call our main intake line at 714-796-5354 to discuss your concerns prior to filling out the application or if you would prefer to have the application mailed to you.

To inquire about applying for services, call RCOC’s Intake and Assessment Department at (714) 796-5354 or send an email to intake@nullrcocdd.com.  RCOC’s intake staff will assist you by walking through the application/referral and working with you to see what information RCOC will need you to submit to begin the intake process.

Parents, guardians, and conservators, or an adult with a developmental disability that originated prior to age 18 may initiate the application process. A professional, such as a pediatrician, or other interested parties may also do so, but only with permission from the individual or family.

For more information on the next steps after eligibility is determined, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.