Finding child care for a child with special health care or developmental needs can be challenging.  Parents are sometimes faced with providers who are willing, but who have not had previous experience taking care of children with special needs and are nervous about what might be expected of them.

Your local child care referral agency has lists of licensed day care homes and center providers with experience and/or interest in caring for children with special needs.  The child care referral agency will ask you a few basic questions about your child's needs and what things you are looking for in a child care setting.  The key to this process is to be open about your child's (and your) needs.  You will then be given a list of providers to interview.

The agencies with an asterisk (*) are available for resource and referral services.

For more information about inclusive child care, what to look for in a child care setting and tips on how to more effectively communicate with your child care provider, please call the WarmLine.

Respite care is short-term child care provided to families of children who are clients of the Alta California Regional Center and who qualify.  Respite care is important because it gives families a "break" from caring for their child with special needs and is typically provided in the family's home.  Your child's Alta Service Coordinator canlet you know if your child qualifies for respite services and how to access those services.

Some children with special health care needs will also qualify for in-home nursing care.  Ask your Alta Service Coordinator or nurse case manager if your child qualifies for in-home nursing services.