An excellent guide to local resources is the Perinatal Resource Guide, Santa Cruz County 2010. It is developed and revised by Family Health Unit and Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Unit, Health Services Agency. For more information call (831) 454-4331 or email nancy.diehl@health.co.santa-cruz.ca.us
To see how to use it, I put myself in the shoes of a parent who is concerned about possible developmental delays. But not exactly sure as to what kind of delay.
In the Index at the back Under Special Needs (Children With) is listed San Andreas Regional Center. In that same category are: California Children’s Services, Special Education Local Plan Agency (SELPA) and Special Parents Information Network (SPIN).
It would be helpful if San Andreas Regional Center was also cross listed under Children Services — where SPIN and CCS are also cross listed. Through the Early Start services many, many children with suspected delays receive services from age 0 to age three.
Another appropriate cross listing for San Andreas Regional Center is Parent Education/ Support Services. For over age two children who do not have a 50 percent delay in one area there is parent education and support through the Prevention Program.
Perhaps in the 2011 edition of Perinatal Resource Guide a new listing could be included: Internet resources and blogs that provide useful information for Santa Cruz County. On that list might be this blog — Monterey Bay Forum — http://www.FreedomOK.net which provides free screening for autism and discussion of local health and other issues.
written by Cameron Jackson, Ph.D., J.D. DrCameronJackson@gmail.com
