Who do I call first for disability services in San Mateo 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 San Mateo County.

Is help available in Spanish in San Mateo County?

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

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in San Mateo 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 San Mateo County, California

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo County

Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) — Your regional center, the local front door for developmental-disability services in San Mateo County. Contact: 415-546-9222 · San Francisco, CA · https://www.ggrc.org/.
Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) — San Mateo County's Center for Independent Living: peer support, independent-living skills, benefits and housing assistance, assistive technology, and advocacy. Contact: 650-645-1780 · 2001 Winward Way Ste 103, San Mateo, CA 94404 · cidsanmateo.org.
San Mateo County Behavioral Health, 24/7 Crisis Line — The county 24/7 mental-health and substance-use crisis line and Mobile Response Team: free, in-person crisis support that can come to you, plus connection to b… Contact: 24/7 Crisis 650-579-0350 · smchealth.org/crisis-services.
NAMI San Mateo County — The local NAMI affiliate: free family and peer support groups, education classes, a warmline, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their fami… Contact: 650-638-0800 · 1730 S Amphlett Blvd Ste 207, San Mateo, CA 94402 · namisanmateo.org.
San Mateo County Aging & Disability Services (Area Agency on Aging) — The county Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC): information and assistance, in-home support, caregiver support, and benefits… Contact: ADRC 888-762-2372 · 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas Ste 200, San Mateo · smchealth.org/area-agency-aging.
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.
Disability Rights California (DRC) — California's federally designated protection and advocacy agency. Contact: 800-776-5746 · TTY 800-719-5798.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive San Mateo County directory on this page lists 12 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.