Early Connections
All children deserve to reach their full potential. Early intervention makes that possible.
The Department of Early Childhood offers free developmental screenings, as well as connection to early intervention services for children who need them. This initiative is called Early Connections.
Supporting children’s healthy development early is very important. Getting extra help as soon as possible can make a big difference for your child.
Milestones and Developmental Screenings
From your baby’s first smile to their first steps, developmental milestones are exciting moments for families. Milestones can also tell you a lot about your child.
Milestones help us understand how most children move, play, and talk at different ages. Milestones can help you know if your child is on track for his or her age.
Developmental screenings help show if a child is meeting developmental milestones for their age. Screenings are simple questionnaires that any adult who spends quality time with a child is able to complete.
Screenings are the first step in making sure your child is getting any support they need. There are lots of ways to get a free developmental screening and to support your child’s development. DEC even offers an app called Sparkler!
What to Do When There Are Concerns
If you have concerns about your child’s development, or a developmental screening shows a concern, there are free services to help through Early Connections. It offers four distinct types of services to meet different developmental needs.
When you reach out to Early Connections, you can look forward to:
- Warm and multilingual support from friendly intake coordinators.
- Dynamic developmental playgroups that help your child grow through fun activities.
- Dedicated care coordinators who help make managing developmental needs easier for you.
- Comprehensive family resources including specialized services and resources for children and families with unique healthcare needs.
The Early Connections initiative offers personalized support. We can connect you with the right programs and resources. Whether you are navigating early intervention services or seeking assistance, Early Connections will reinforce and empower your family every step of the way.
About Early Connections
In partnership with trusted community organizations, the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood offers Early Connections—a free initiative designed to support families at every step of their child’s developmental journey.
Early Connections services include:
Centralized Access Point (CAP) – This is the first stop for families who need Early Connections support. Support For Families, a longstanding San Francisco non-profit, serves as the CAP.
Developmental Playgroups – Playgroups are fun, development-focused sessions with children and parents, lead by organizations across San Francisco: Children’s Council, Felton, Project Commotion, Slippery Fish, and Sparkler.
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHN) & Early Intervention Family Resource Center (EI FRC) – Support for Families also provides this specialized family resource center, where families whose children face developmental disabilities, delays, or complex medical needs can get support.