Who do I call first for disability services in Los Angeles County, California?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and California vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for Los Angeles County.

Is help available in Spanish in Los Angeles County?

Yes. This Los Angeles County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most California agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Los Angeles County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in Los Angeles County, California

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Los Angeles County, California. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in Los Angeles County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in Los Angeles County

Your Los Angeles area Regional Center — Los Angeles County is served by SEVEN regional centers by area, they are your local front door for developmental-disability services (eligibility, Early Start,… Contact: Find your regional center by ZIP at dds.ca.gov/rc/listings.
Communities Actively Living Independent & Free (CALIF) — Los Angeles's Center for Independent Living (downtown LA): independent-living skills, peer support, benefits and housing advocacy, assistive technology, and pe… Contact: 213-627-0477 · TTY 213-623-9502 · calif-ilc.org.
The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties — Longtime provider for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across LA and Orange Counties (Downey): adult day programs, supported and competi… Contact: 562-803-4606 · thearclaoc.org.
NAMI Greater Los Angeles County — Local NAMI affiliate for greater Los Angeles: free mental-health education, family and peer support groups, navigation, and a Connect-with-Hope warmline at 818… Contact: 213-386-3615 · Warmline 818-208-1801 · namiglac.org.
L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Dept. (Area Agency on Aging) — The Area Agency on Aging for Los Angeles County: information and assistance, benefits and caregiver support, in-home and community services, and connection to … Contact: 800-510-2020 · 626-414-6439 · ad.lacounty.gov.
Los Angeles County Behavioral Health, 24/7 Access & Crisis Line — Free, confidential 24/7 county line that is the entry point to mental-health and substance-use services in Los Angeles County: crisis support, screening, mobil… Contact: 800-854-7771 · 24/7.
California 211 — Free, confidential information and referral to health and human services across California. Contact: Call or text 211 · 211ca.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) — Helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job: counseling, training, assistive technology, job placement, and Student Services (Pre-ETS) star… Contact: 800-952-5544 · TTY 916-558-5673 · dor.ca.gov.
California Early Start — Statewide entry point that connects families of babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities to free Early Intervention evaluation and services th… Contact: 800-515-2229 (800-515-BABY) · earlystart@dds.ca.gov.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Los Angeles County directory on this page lists 13 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more California disability resources or browse other counties from the California portal.