San Francisco, CA — The Department of Early Childhood (DEC), the city’s largest funder of early childhood programs dedicated to the safe and healthy development of young children, is proud to announce the launch of Early Connections. This free program will provide families with timely, personalized support for their child’s development. It is a dedicated resource to ensure that all families in San Francisco can support their child’s developmental journey from the very beginning.
“Early Connections reflects our belief that all children in San Francisco deserve the opportunity to thrive, and that starts by supporting them in achieving developmental milestones or providing assistance when needed,” said Ingrid Mezquita, Executive Director of the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood. “By offering families free personalized support, we’re able to connect them with the right resources, programs, and services for their child’s unique needs. We believe this initiative will make a meaningful difference in preparing more children for kindergarten and long-term success.”
While the kindergarten readiness of incoming SFUSD kindergarteners has shown exciting gains in recent years, readiness scores for students with special needs remain lower than those of other populations. Research indicates that when children experience developmental delays or special health needs, identifying and supporting them as early as possible can significantly impact their long-term outcomes. DEC has designed Early Connections to help families identify their child’s developmental needs early and access the proper support.
Early Connections consists of four different areas of services:
- Centralized Access Point (CAP) – Families can access developmental services and resources and ask questions about child development.
- Developmental Playgroups – Families can attend sessions led by trained facilitators with expertise in developmental milestones designed for children with mild developmental concerns or curiosities.
- Care Coordination & Individualized Services – Families of children with complex needs can receive free guidance to navigate the range of available services and providers.
- Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) & Early Intervention Family Resource Center (EI FRC) – Families of children with developmental disabilities, delays, or complex medical needs can receive support in navigating each stage of their child’s development.
In addition to the four service areas, DEC has partnered with Sparkler, a free mobile app that helps families support their child’s development. One of the app’s key features is the ability for parents to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQs) directly through the platform. Once submitted, the screening is reviewed by a Centralized Access Point (CAP) team member, who follows up with families to discuss their child’s developmental progress and connect them to any needed services or resources.
San Francisco residents can access Early Connections services, including Sparkler, at sfdec.org/early-connections or by calling 415-920-5040.
The investment by DEC in Early Connections underscores a strong commitment to ensuring that all families in San Francisco have equitable, no-cost access to personalized support during the most critical years of a child’s development. By establishing a robust and inclusive network for families with children from birth to age five, this initiative lays a vital foundation for healthy growth and long-term success for the city’s youngest residents.
About the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood
The San Francisco Department of Early Childhood leads citywide efforts to ensure that all children, from birth to age five, have access to high-quality early care and education, health and development services, and family support. Through innovative programs, strategic investments, and collaborative partnerships, DEC is building a stronger foundation for San Francisco’s youngest residents.