Realizing Medi-Cal Warm Handoffs to Early Start
In a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort from Children Now, First 5 Center for Children’s Policy, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs), and Family Voices of California, Children Now led a research project to develop policy recommendations for warm handoff referrals between Medi-Cal providers and the Early Start program, the states early intervention program for kids under age 3 with or at risk of developmental delays or disabilities.
A summary of this project’s research findings and policy recommendations were published in June 2026, Realizing Medi-Cal Warm Handoffs to Early Start: Project Findings and Recommendations for the Department of Health Care Services