Early Start Transition Timeline “Cheat Sheet”
For children FOUND ELIGIBLE for Early Start services PRIOR TO 2.9:
VC SELPA School Districts:
Will confirm receipt of the invitation and attend the
transition planning conference IFSP between 2 years 3
months and 90 days prior to the child’s third birthday.
During the Transition portion of the IFSP, will participate
in the discussion of program options.
Will agree upon a notification/ referral date at least 90 days
prior to the third birthday. If agreed upon, the referral can
be made at the time of the Transition IFSP.
Upon receipt of the notification/referral will send Notice of
Special Education Referral to the family. Within 15 days,
will send either an Assessment Plan or Prior Written
Notice to Parents of Action Refused by School District.
If proceeding to assessment, upon receipt of signed
Assessment Plan, will assess and convene an IEP meeting
no later than 60 days and prior to the child’s 3rd birthday
(whichever comes first).
Will schedule the IEP team meeting to include
parent/guardian, and all other personnel. The Regional
Center Service Coordinator will be invited to
the IEP meeting.
If eligible, will develop an IEP with services specified no
later than child’s 3rd birthday. The IEP will indicate the
date services will begin.
TCRC Service Coordinator:
Shall identify mutually agreeable dates, times, and
locations and send the invitation to the district
representative and parent for the Transition IFSP between
2 years 3 months and 90 days prior to the child’s third
birthday.
During the Transition portion of the IFSP meeting, shall
facilitate discussion and document decision about the
transition process. Will develop with school district the
anticipated referral date no later than 90 days prior to the
third birthday.
If parents wish to have a referral made, will send the
referral packet as discussed at the IFSP and no later than 90
days prior to the third birthday to the school district which
will include:
 Referral Cover Sheet
 Most recent IFSP with progress reports
 Most recent assessment reports
 Transition Plan
If parents do not want a referral, will send a
“Notification Only” referral to the School District no later
than 90 days prior to the 3rd birthday (Referral Cover Sheet
only):
 Name
 Birthdate
 Parent contact information
Will refer to TCRC clinical team for consideration for
Regional Center eligibility beyond age three.
For children FOUND ELIGIBLE for Early Start services 90 days or less PRIOR TO THE 3RD BIRTHDAY
VC SELPA School Districts:
TCRC Service Coordinator:
Will attend the Initial/ IFSP meeting, when possible.
Will invite school district to Initial IFSP.
Upon receiving referral, will immediately give parent:
 Notice of Special Education Referral.
Will include all the required transition elements in the
Initial IFSP.
Within 15 days, will give parent either:
 Assessment Plan (or)
 Prior Written Notice to Parents of Action.
Will make either a Referral or “Notification only” referral
to the School District immediately, per parent request.
(If Assessment)
Complete assessment within 60 days or prior to 3rd birthday
(whichever comes first).
Will refer to TCRC clinical team for consideration for
regional center eligibility at age 3.
For INITIAL INQUIRIES received by TCRC between 60-46 days prior to the 3RD BIRTHDAY
VC SELPA School Districts:
Upon receipt of referral, will immediately give to parent:
 Notice of Special Education Referral.
Within 15 days, will give parent either:
 Assessment Plan (or)
 Prior Written Notice.
(If assessment)
Complete assessment and hold IEP within 60 days but no
later than the 3rd birthday (whichever comes first).
Will attend Initial/ IFSP if Early Start eligible, when
possible.
Will respond to referral as follows:
 If School District did not initiate assessment, will
immediately respond with a Notice of Special
Education Referral and either an Assessment Plan or
Prior Written Notice within 15 days.

If School District is in the process of assessment, will
consider Early Start assessment information with
district assessment data.

If School District already found child eligible and IEP
offered, no further steps to be taken.

If School District assessed and did not find child
eligible, will determine whether to initiate a new
Assessment Plan, or to send Prior Written Notice based
on School District and Early Start assessment findings.
TCRC Service Coordinator:
During Intake Interview, will ask parent for permission to
give Intake Interview information to the School District so
district can consider initiating immediate assessment for
special education eligibility.
If parent consents, will obtain signature to exchange
information with school district on the Parent Consent
form.
Will send Intake Referral to School District to include:
 Referral Cover Sheet
 Early Start Inquiry
 Early Start Intake Interview Worksheet (if available)
 Parent Consent form
If child is found Early Start eligible:
Will invite School District to Initial IFSP.
At the Initial IFSP, will make either a standard referral or
“Notification Only” referral to the School District, per
parent request.
Will refer to TCRC clinical team for consideration for
Regional Center eligibility at age 3.
In all the above cases, School District must complete the
process no later than the child’s third birthday.
For INITIAL INQUIRIES received by TCRC 45 days or less before the child’s 3RD BIRTHDAY
VC SELPA School Districts:
TCRC Service Coordinator:
School district will send Notice of Special Education
Referral immediately.
Within 15 days, will send to parents either:
 Assessment Plan (or)
 Prior Written Notice to Parents of Action.
If Assessment is initiated, assessment will be completed
and IEP meeting held within 60 days. Allowable
interruptions include school holidays in excess of 5 days
and breaks between regular school sessions.
Will immediately send a referral to school district with
parent permission to include:
 Referral Cover Sheet
 Early Start Inquiry (with evidence of Parent
Consent).
Will refer to TCRC Intake Coordinator to initiate
assessment for eligibility at age 3, if appropriate.