Eligibility

Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) helps infants, children, and adults with developmental disabilities. We also help babies and toddlers who are at risk of a developmental delay. We provide services to individuals living in Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties.

Early Start (Birth to 3 Years)

Early Start is for babies and toddlers from birth to 3 years old. A child may be eligible if they:

  • Have a developmental delay of at least 25% in one or more areas:
    • Learning new things (cognitive)
    • Talking or understanding language (communication)
    • Getting along with others (social-emotional)
    • Daily living skills like feeding or dressing (adaptive)
    • Moving or using their body, including vision or hearing (physical/motor)
  • Have a medical condition that usually causes a developmental delay
  • Are considered at high risk for a developmental disability

For Early Start referrals, please contact the VMRC branch in your county:

Early Start Services Online Application
Early Start Welcome Packet

Provisional Eligibility (Birth to 5 Years)

Provisional eligibility applies to children from birth through age 5, not otherwise eligible for regional center services, who show significant difficulties in daily life.

A child may be provisionally eligible if they have trouble in two or more areas like:

  • Taking care of themselves (feeding, dressing)
  • Talking or understanding language
  • Learning new skills
  • Moving or using their body
  • Making choices or following directions

For eligibility and services, please contact the VMRC branch in your county:

Early Start Services Online Application
Lanterman Services Online Application
Provisional Eligibility for Regional Center Services

Lanterman Eligibility (3 Years and Older)

The Lanterman Act helps children and adults 3 years and older who have a developmental disability.

To qualify, a person must:

  • Have a disability that started before age 18
  • Have a disability that will last a long time
  • Have major challenges in three or more areas of life, like:
    • Daily living skills (dressing, feeding)
    • Talking or understanding language
    • Learning
    • Moving or using their body
    • Making decisions
    • Living independently
    • Working or earning money

Disabilities may include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability, or conditions similar to these.

For eligibility and services, please contact the VMRC branch in your county:

Lanterman Services Online Application
Guide to California’s Regional Center System

Services

Early Childhood (Birth to 5 years)
School Age
(6 through 16 years)
Adulthood
(Age 23 and up)