LAUP: Supporting Children with Special Needs

"Inclusion is the full and active participation of children with disabilities and other special needs in community activities, services and programs designed for typically developing children including preschool."
-- First 5 California – Children and Family Commission on School Readiness

A quality inclusive preschool program looks at each child as an individual with different strengths and areas of need. When working with preschool children with confirmed or suspected special needs, it is critical to support preschools through early identification and the provision of links to community resources and services.

The goal of the Special Needs focus area is to support school readiness of preschool children by improving provider access to best practices in classroom strategies and techniques that support children with special needs. Enhancing the quality of the preschool experience for children with special needs or those in special circumstances involves connecting preschools with key community resources and supporting effective classroom strategies. The LAUP Special Needs focus area strives to support the needs of our LAUP children by supporting their preschool providers with timely information, education, training opportunities, and community resources as needed or requested.

The main special needs issues we support include common concerns many preschool providers may face including: the IEP process, speech and language, sensory needs of children (sensory integration), challenging behaviors, and other issues. Support is provided through resource information, access to training, and links to community resources.

For more information about Special Needs support services at LAUP contact: Cynthia Santana, Special Needs Program Support Specialist at (213) 416-1244

Special Needs Resources

Click here to download a wide variety of resources available within L.A. County, including school districts, SELPA contacts, family resource centers and more.

Regional Centers in Los Angeles County
Seven Regional Centers throughout Los Angeles County contract with the California Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Early Start provides teams of service coordinators, health care providers, early intervention specialists, therapists and parent resource specialists to assess infants or toddlers and provide early intervention services to eligible children.

Regional Centers Contact Information

Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center
1000 South Fremont Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91802-7916
Areas served: Eastern Los Angeles county including the communities of Alhambra and Whittier
Telephone: (626) 299-4700

Frank Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Areas served: Central Los Angeles county including Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena
Telephone: (213) 383-1300

Harbor Regional Center
21231 Hawthorne Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Areas served: Southern Los Angeles county including Bellflower, Harbor, Long Beach, and Torrance
Telephone: (310) 540-1711

North Los Angeles County Regional Center
15400 Sherman Way, Suite 170
Van Nuys, CA 91406-4211
Areas served: Northern Los Angeles county including San Fernando and Antelope Valleys
Telephone: (818) 778-1900

San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
761 Corporate Center Drive
Pomona, CA 91768
Areas served: Eastern Los Angeles county including El Monte, Monrovia, Pomona, and Glendora
Telephone: (909) 620-7722

South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
650 West Adams Boulevard, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90007-2545
Areas served: Southern Los Angeles county including the communities of Compton and Gardena
Telephone: (213) 744-7000

Westside Regional Center
5901 Green Valley Circle, Suite 320
Culver City, CA 90230-6953
Areas served: Western Los Angeles county including the communities of Culver City, Inglewood, and Santa Monica
Telephone: (310) 258-4000