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California Department of Developmental Services1600 9th Street
P. O. Box 944202
Sacramento, CA 94244-2020
Info: (916) 654-1690
TTY: (916) 654-2054
Early Start Mediation Conference and Due Process Hearing Requests
The purpose of this due process is to resolve disagreements between families and a regional center and/or local education agency (LEA) related to a proposal or refusal for identification, evaluation, assessment, placement, or services. Early Start is for infants and toddlers under the age of three who are at risk of having a developmental disability or are developmentally disabled or delayed, and their families. Early Start is governed by Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
- Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 303
- California Early Intervention Services Act, Government Code, Section 95000 et seq. ; and
- Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Sections 52000 - 52175
Any party seeking state level action on a disagreement falling into the category noted above may file a request for a voluntary impartial mediation and/or due process hearing by filing a Due Process Mediation and Hearing Request (DS 1802) form.
This form may also be obtained from the regional center, LEA or DDS. In addition, a letter of request is accepted by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) in lieu of the request form if all the pertinent information is submitted and the letter is signed by the requester.
The Due Process Mediation and Hearing Request should be filed with:
Office of Administrative HearingsAttention: DDS Calendar Clerk
2349 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Phone: (916) 263-0654
Fax: (916) 376-6318
Alternate Fax: (916) 263-0549
The impartial mediation conference and/or due process hearing will be completed within 30 days from the receipt of the request by OAH. The timely issuance of the written decision may not be delayed by any voluntary local efforts happening at the same time to resolve the matter. The decision will be final unless appealed to the superior court of appropriate jurisdiction.
While all parties are encouraged to resolve differences at the lowest administrative level possible, such voluntary resolution may occur at the same time that a request for Mediation Conference/Due Process Hearing and/or a Compliance Complaint is filed.
The "Parents' Rights: An Early Start Guide for Families" booklet provides in-depth information about procedural safeguards available to assure services are provided in a manner appropriate to the child's needs and the concerns of the family. If additional information is needed, contact your regional center, LEA, or the Early Start Program at 1-800-515-2229 or send an e-mail to: earlystart@dds.ca.gov.