California pays for these evaluations. Which program you contact depends on your child's age. You can use them and a private evaluator at the same time.
Free · birth to 3
Early Start at Regional Center of the East Bay
A free developmental evaluation for babies and toddlers.
AgesBirth to 3
CostFree
How to startRefer your own child. No doctor or diagnosis needed.
RCEB says to call the Early Start Intake line at (510) 618-6195, email earlystartreferrals@rceb.org, fax an inquiry to (510) 678-4156, or complete the general inquiry form online.
An Intake Coordinator then schedules an interview, and RCEB says the assessment process is completed within 45 days of the first referral.
Early Start Family Resource Centers listed by DDS: Alameda, Family Resource Navigators (510) 547-7322; Contra Costa, CARE Parent Network (925) 313-0999.
The ECEC is OUSD's central hub for assessing children, typically ages 3 to 5, who may qualify for special education before kindergarten.
It serves Oakland residents only.
OUSD's Family Resources page links an online intake form for children aged 2 years 8 months to 4 years 10 months.
The ECEC page gives the address as 950 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94608, but OUSD's chooseousd.org contacts page lists 746 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 for the ECEC.
The two addresses conflict, so call before visiting.
OUSD's 2025-26 Special Education Program Guide also lists an early-childhood (ages 3-5) Child Find facilitator: Silvia Nuno, (510) 879-5004, silvia.nuno@ousd.org.
OUSD's instruction: 'If your child attends an OUSD K-12 school or participating charter, simply submit a request to your school site's main office, principal or resource specialist.'
For a private school student who lives in Oakland: 'email your request to Peggy.Forbes@ousd.org or submit a written request in person at 915 54th Street, Oakland, CA 94608.'
Organizations in Alameda County, with the 2 in or near Oakland first. Each detail shows where it came from; anything the organization hasn't published says “Not yet confirmed.” Order never depends on payment.
We list an organization after confirming it exists at this location and offers the evaluation services listed, from its own published materials. Ages, insurance, and testing scope show “Not yet confirmed” until we can source them. Order never depends on payment.
Do you evaluate this age and concern regularly?Is this comprehensive testing or a consultation?Which parts are in person?What records should we send?Is a feedback meeting included?What is the current wait for a first appointment?
Directory transparency
No scraped profiles. No pay-to-rank results.
We're starting the California directory in the Bay Area and adding providers slowly. A profile appears only after we confirm the organization, its location, and the services it publishes. Details we haven't confirmed are labeled “Not yet confirmed.”
