Children’s Services (Homestart)

Helping families with infants and toddlers (up to 5 years old) with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

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For Children With Special Needs & Their Families

The early years of life are crucial for growth and learning. Infants and toddlers who have a developmental delay (or are at risk of one) need extra help to reach their full potential. By giving families the skills needed to help, Hope makes a big and lasting difference in their lives.

The California Department of Developmental Services has reported that 77% of children graduating/exiting from early intervention programs statewide did not require services after age 3.

We Serve Children With:

  • Prematurity/low birth weight
  • Social emotional delays
  • Cognitive delays
  • Neurological disorders
  • Genetic disorders
  • Motor or speech delays
  • Feeding difficulties/failure to thrive
  • Medical fragility

How Homestart Works

As a team, we establish realistic goals for each child. An individualized plan is created for your family involving fun, practical, stimulating activities appropriate for the child — all in comfortable environments: the family home, primary day care, or elsewhere. Six month assessments are conducted to determine progress in areas including cognition, language, gross and fine motor skills, social/emotional health, self-help skills, and sensory processing abilities. Strengths and areas of need are documented and new goals are set by our multidisciplinary team including parents and caregivers. Frequency and duration of visits are determined by the team based on each child’s individual needs.

Services Include:

  • Comprehensive developmental assessment reports
  • Ongoing developmental monitoring
  • Direct, hands-on intervention activities
  • Family or caregiver training and education
  • Community resource information and referrals
  • Emotional support and counseling
  • Spanish interpreters
  • Nutrition consultation
  • Infant massage instruction
  • Group activities for families to meet and connect with others

Service Eligibility

Evaluation services are available to children with special needs who may be eligible for early intervention services and live in Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. Contact your local regional center for further information regarding eligibility. Homestart also accepts private pay clients as well as insurance from Aetna, Blue Cross, and Cigna.

Hours of Operation

Monday- Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm with occasional night and/ or weekend appointment options.

More Information

Download the Early Intervention Program brochure in English or Spanish.

Vickey Perkins, MA ECSE
Director, Children and Family Services
Hope Services
30 Las Colinas Lane
San Jose, CA 95119
vperkins@hopeservices.org
408-284-2812

Career Opportunities

Are you seeking fulfilling work that gives you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you believe in the integration of persons with disabilities into all aspects of community membership? Do you enjoy assisting others in the learning process? The Homestart team is now hiring!

To view and apply for our current open positions, go to www.hopeservices.org/careers