Children's Services

HOPE's program for infants and toddlers, called Homestart, serves families of children from birth to age three who are born with developmental disabilities.

Established in 1971, Homestart provides families with the skills necessary to manage the developmental problems these children may experience. These services, which are generally provided in the family home, are individualized to meet each child's developmental needs, as well as to support and educate families about community resources. Homestart services include:

• Comprehensive developmental assessment reports
• Ongoing developmental monitoring
• Direct hands-on intervention activities
• Family/caregiver training and education
• Community resource information and referrals
• Emotional support and counseling
• Spanish translation is available

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I look for in order to determine if my child might benefit from a referral for Homestart?

   • Cognitive Delays
   • Medically fragile
   • Neurological disorders
   • Genetic disorders
   • Motor or speech delays
   • Feeding difficulties/failure to thrive

2. How can my child receive Homestart services? (How to start the process.)

   The Regional Center in your service area will determine if your child is eligible for Early Intervention services. Eligibility for Early Intervention is based on 0-3 Federal Eligibility guidelines. Once your child is determined to be eligible for services by the regional center you are referred to Early Intervention and can ask to be assigned to HOPE Services- Homestart Program.

   Contact your local regional center for further information regarding eligibility.

   • Santa Clara County Residents: San Andreas (SARC) 408-374-9960
   • San Benito County Residents: San Andreas (SARC) 408-846-8805
   • Santa Cruz County Residents: San Andreas (SARC) 831-728-1781

   Homestart also accepts private pay as well as many PPO insurance carriers.

3. How does the assessment process work?

   First, we recognize that each child and family is unique. Our early intervention specialists will work closely with you, as a team, to reach your child's developmental goals. We assess each child to determine current developmental skill levels, strengths, and needs. We then work with you to establish realistic goals for your child and to create an individualized intervention plan that involves fun, practical, and stimulating activities for the child and your family — we do all we can to meet the needs of your family as a whole.

   Our committed multidisciplinary team of professionals is experienced in working with young children and understands the distinct joys and challenges of parenting a child with special needs. Our goal is to help each child reach his or her fullest potential, while supporting and empowering parents in their role as caregivers.

4. Where can I receive services?

   Services are provided in the comfort of your family home (or primary day care) — your child's most natural environment. All areas of developmental abilities are assessed: cognitive, language, gross, and fine motor skills, social/emotional, self-help skills, and sensory processing. Occasional group activities are offered to provide opportunities for our families to meet and connect with one another.

5. What specialty professionals are available to assist me?

   • Licensed Clinical Social Workers
   • Developmental Specialists
   • Occupational Therapists
   • Speech Therapists
   • Physical Therapists
   • Credentialed Special Education Teachers
   • Special Education Teachers
   • Certified Infant Massage Instructors
   • Nutritionist

6. Whom do I contact for more information or to enroll my child in Homestart?

   Vickey Perkins, MA ECSE, CIMI
   Homestart Program Manager
   HOPE Services
   30 Las Colinas Lane
   San Jose, Ca 95119
   Phone: 408.284.2812