Welcome to First 5 Healthy Development Services (HDS)! This website is devoted to providing helpful information about HDS, a program that serves children ages 5 years and under in San Diego County. HDS provides a variety of FREE services. To learn more, please click on the links below.

What is HDS? What services does HDS provide? Who is eligible for HDS services? I am a parent/caregiver of a child, how do I access HDS services? I am a provider/physician, how do I refer into HDS?

What is Healthy Development Services?

Healthy Development Services (HDS) is a FREE program offered to children and their caregivers throughout San Diego County. These services are available to ALL children ages birth to 5 years 11 months who have not entered kindergarten. Funding for these services is provided through the First 5 Commission of San Diego County.

The goal of Healthy Development Services is to help parents and childcare providers support the health, growth, and development of young children. We have many wonderful programs that will help your child enter kindergarten “Ready to Learn.”


What services does HDS provide?

HDS provides a variety of FREE services to families! See below for more information!

Parent Education, Support & Empowerment Bright Futures for Kids is a FREE series of child-parent classes designed to strengthen your relationship with your child to promote his/her healthy development. Healthy Development Class* providing for your child's physical, social & emotional development * includes a hearing and vision screening for children over 24 months Family Fun Class review and discussion about positive communication, discipline & family life Learning Class* teaching your child to communicate & problem-solve * includes developmental check-up by a developmental specialist Community Advocacy Class navigating systems of care (healthcare, education, etc.) for your child Give us a call today and a Healthy Development Services Care Coordinator will direct you to a class designed for your child’s age group. Because we receive funding from First 5 San Diego, classes are FREE and available to all children 0-5 in San Diego County. For families residing in the North Central region of San Diego County call: 858-966-1700 ext 7346 For families residing in the North Coastal region of San Diego County call: 858-966-8235 English Class Calendar for North Central San Diego County Spanish Class Calendar for North Central San Diego County English and Spanish Class Calendar for North Coastal San Diego County

 

Health and Behavioral Consulting in Childcare • Health and behavior consultation for childcare providers • Workshops and trainings for childcare providers and parents about health and behavior issues that may arise at childcare centers

Hearing Services • Hearing screenings done at your child’s day care center or school or at a location in the community • Referral to your child’s physician if needed Vision Services • Vision screenings done at your child’s day care center or school or at a location in the community • Full vision exam and glasses may be available

Developmental Services • Developmental check-ups for your child with referrals to additional services as needed • Treatment classes taught by experts in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior/social-emotional development • On-site hearing screenings are offered during developmental check-ups

 

Behavior Services • One-on-one parent coaching sessions with behavior specialists • Counseling or other behavioral therapy to meet the social and emotional needs of young children and their families • Services can be provided at your home if needed

 

Who is eligible for HDS services?

Services are available to children birth to 5 years 11 months, regardless of insurance or income, who reside in San Diego County.

Families can receive HDS services based on the location or zip code of your home, childcare, or child’s physician's office.

Childcare providers can request services based on the location or zip code of your childcare site.

Click here to find your zip code to learn the region where you can receive services.


If I am a parent/caregiver of a child, how do I access HDS?

There are a few ways to access HDS services:

• You can be referred by your child’s physician.
• You can be referred by your child’s preschool or childcare provider.
• You can refer your own child. Call a regional office to speak with a Care Coordinator. They will connect you to the service you are looking for!

Regional Phone Numbers:

South: 619-420-3620
Central: 619-515-2406
East: 619-515-2463
North Central: 858-576-1700 x7347
North Coastal: 858-966-8235
North Inland: 877-504-BABY

If you don’t know which region to call, Click Here

If I am a provider/physician, how do I refer into HDS?

As a provider, there are two main methods of referring into HDS:

Call the Regional Coordinator:

South: 619-420-3620
Central: 619-515-2406
East: 619-515-2463
North Central: 858-576-1700 x7347
North Coastal: 858-966-8235
North Inland: 877-504-BABY

If you don’t know which region to call, Click Here

• Fax a referral directly to Regional Coordinator. To print a referral form, click here for English and here for Spanish.