Thousands of young children will continue receiving developmental screenings, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral services, and family support after the San Diego County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a $4.3 million bridge funding plan advanced by Chair Terra Lawson-Remer.

The action prevents an estimated 38% reduction to Healthy Development Services, a nationally recognized early intervention program serving children ages 0 to 5 with mild to moderate developmental or behavioral delays. Without the funding, approximately 3,350 children and families would lose access to care during the most critical window of child development. 

“We’re taking action to make sure kids don’t fall through the cracks while this stable, sustainable funding strategy goes into effect,” said County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, Chair of the Board. “This funding keeps thousands of children connected to care during the most important years of brain development, while we complete the transition to a stable long-term funding plan.”

Healthy Development Services fills a critical gap for children whose developmental or behavioral delays are serious enough to need help, but who often do not qualify for other public intervention systems. Without early support, families may be forced to wait until a child falls further behind before receiving care.

The program helps families access developmental screenings, assessments, speech and occupational therapy, behavioral services, care coordination, and parent support. More than 60% of children served are Medi-Cal eligible, and many families would have no alternative access to these services if cuts occurred.

“Any parent who has worried their child is falling behind knows how scary it is to be told to wait,” Lawson-Remer said. “Healthy Development Services helps families get support early, before small delays become lifelong barriers.”

Since 2006, Healthy Development Services has served more than 352,800 children from birth to age five, along with their families and caregivers. Among children who complete developmental treatment through the program, 95% show measurable improvement.

Research consistently shows that early intervention improves outcomes for children while reducing future public costs associated with education, healthcare, behavioral health, homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment.

Today’s vote is the second and final phase of a bridge funding strategy to prevent cuts while First 5 San Diego transitions to a long-term fiscal plan. Last year, the Board approved a $4.3 million transfer to prevent service reductions in Fiscal Year 2025–26. Today’s action protects services through Fiscal Year 2026–27.

The funding approved today comes from the County’s Tobacco Securitization Fund, which was established from tobacco settlement revenues and is intended to support health-based programs. The action creates no new net General Fund cost and adds no new staff years.

Since last year’s action, First 5 San Diego has developed a sustainable fiscal strategy that includes a new $4 million annual partnership with the County’s Child and Family Well-Being Department beginning in Fiscal Year 2027–28, along with additional funding through the Families First Prevention Services Act and Medi-Cal reimbursement pathways.

The next step is for the First 5 Commission of San Diego to convene to accept the funding and modify its budget.