When Brooklynn moved to Los Angeles with her young son, Shakeur, she didn’t know where to go for help. Shakeur had been diagnosed with autism at age three. He was making great progress with his speech, but after the move from another state, Brooklynn needed support to keep that progress going.
A friend told her about Help Me Grow LA, also known as HMG LA. Brooklynn was connected to one of their Family Partners who guided her to reach her local regional center, apply for medical and Social Security benefits, and find housing and food resources.
What is Help Me Grow LA?
Help Me Grow LA supports families by connecting them to local programs and services. HMG LA’s Family Partners work closely with parents and caregivers. They help identify any developmental concerns, get early intervention services like Early Start, and find helpful resources in the community.
HMG LA partners with regional centers, healthcare providers, and other groups to guide families every step of the way.
What HMG LA Offers
- A website (helpmegrowla.org) and a call center (833-903-3972), where trained Family Partners can answer questions. Family Partners are available across Los Angeles County to support with screenings and service referrals.
- Multilingual child development resources for families and providers, available at: publichealth.lacounty.gov/mch/helpmegrow/resources.html.
- A locator map to find your local regional center or family resource center: publichealth.lacounty.gov/mch/helpmegrow/service-locator.html.
- Parent Cafés, where parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays can share stories and find emotional support.
- A community coalition that includes families, providers, advocates, and policymakers. Together, they help design services that are inclusive, family-centered, and fair.
- Faster referral systems through the Pathways Project. This project gets families connected to services more easily, including new online portals at three regional centers: San Gabriel/Pomona, South Central Los Angeles, and Westside.
- Guidance for doctors and clinics through a partnership with L.A. Care Health Plan. This partnership improves how developmental concerns are identified and handled in medical settings.
A National Resource
Help Me Grow is used in many places across the country to improve early screenings and connect families to support. In California, 32 counties now have a local Help Me Grow program. To see if your county offers Help Me Grow, visit HMG California. It can be one of your best tools for finding help or getting answers to questions about your child’s development.