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Under 3: Early Start at Tri-Counties Regional Center
Parents can refer their own child. In Ventura County, call 800-664-3177 to ask for a free evaluation.
Visit Tri-Counties Regional Center’s websiteFor parents in Oxnard
Speech therapy for kids in Oxnard.
Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
For a child under 3, call Early Start at Tri-Counties Regional Center, 800-664-3177. From age 3, your home address decides the district, and Oxnard School District offers a free evaluation for its families.
OxnardOfficial sources
Is my child on track?
Signs to look for, by age.
If something on this list worries you, you don’t need to wait and see. You can ask for a free evaluation right away.
- By 18 months
- Tries to say at least 3 words besides “mama” or “dada.”
- By 2 years
- Puts two words together, like “more milk.”
- By 3 years
- Has a short back-and-forth conversation with you.
- At any age
- Stops saying words they used to say.
Free and paid help in Oxnard
Where to get help in Oxnard.
An evaluation is a check of how your child talks and understands words. It usually happens through play, often with a speech therapist.
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Age 3 and up: Oxnard, Rio, Hueneme and Ocean View districts
A school evaluation is free. Your home address decides the district. In Oxnard School District, you can ask at any time. Ask in person or with a signed, dated note to your child’s school. The district answers within 15 calendar days. Call the Special Education Department at (805) 385-1501, ext. 2160. Parts of Oxnard are in Rio, (805) 485-3111, Hueneme, (805) 488-3588, or Ocean View, (805) 488-4441. Those are main lines, so ask for special education.
Visit the district’s special education page03
Any age: Children’s Therapy Network
This pediatric therapy group offers speech therapy at 1827 Knoll Drive in Ventura and at its Newbury Park site. Call 805-667-8200 to ask how to start and which insurance it takes.
Visit Children’s Therapy Network’s websiteThese services are run independently of Speech Blubs.
Speech Blubs at home
While you wait, practice at home.
Getting an appointment can take time. Speech Blubs gives you short activities to do together: your child watches other kids say words and make sounds, then tries too.
Pick a topic your child loves, like animals or snacks.
Watch together and pause. Give your child time to look, point or say a word.
Use the word later, at snack time or in a book.
LezlieMom of a toddlerHe looks forward to it every day because we get to take a fun picture.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
MikeDad of a toddlerGail responds really well to seeing kids his age or a little bit older doing things that he's doing.
ChristinaMom of EdenWe aren't completely there, but we're closer than we ever have been.
LindsayMom of a 2-year-oldThey agreed that we could be doing some more practice at home.
Father of a 23-month-oldWhen I tell her it's time to play her game, she runs and gets up on the couch to play.
How old is your child?
- iPhone and Android
- English, Spanish and 11 more languages
If your child sees a therapist, ask which activities fit.
Everyday ideas
Talk and play around Oxnard.
A walk, a book or a snack gives you something to talk about. Follow what your child is looking at.
01 / ’Olołkoy Beach Park
City option
Talk about what your child notices.
A city beach park at 1601 S. Harbor Blvd. with a large children’s playground.
Climb the play structure together. Name each move, like “up” or “slide,” and pause so your child can say it first.
upovergo
Plan your visit 
02 / South Oxnard Branch Library
City option
Start with a favorite picture.
At 4300 Saviers Rd., a Family Place room has toys and children’s books. It also hosts baby and toddler story times.
Pick a song-and-dance story time. Copy the motions at home and sing the same song again at bath time.
dancemorestop
Plan your visit 
03 / The app
Offer two choices and pause.
Show two familiar toys or foods and name them. Give your child time to respond with a look, a gesture, a sound or a word.
this onemoreyour turn
The app Opening hours change, so check the website before you go.
Questions parents ask in Oxnard.
Is speech therapy free in Oxnard?
The evaluation is free through Tri-Counties Regional Center (under 3) and your school district (from age 3). School speech services are free if your child qualifies. Early Start is California’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Its therapy may be billed to Medi-Cal or your insurance first.
How much does speech therapy cost? Does Medi-Cal or insurance pay?
Private clinic fees vary, so ask about the price when you call Children’s Therapy Network or another clinic. Medi-Cal covers medically necessary speech therapy for children. With private insurance, call the number on your card and ask about speech therapy for kids.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
Not for Early Start or your school district. You can contact them yourself. A clinic, Medi-Cal or your insurance plan may ask for a note from your child’s doctor.
How long is the wait, and what can I do while I wait?
The Oxnard School District responds within 15 calendar days of a request. In California, the IEP (your child’s school support plan) is due within 60 days of your written consent. While you wait, talk, read and play together every day, and try short Speech Blubs activities at home.
My 2-year-old only says a few words. Should I worry about a speech delay?
Many 2-year-olds join two words, like “more milk,” by now. If your child doesn’t, ask Tri-Counties Regional Center for an evaluation at 800-664-3177. It’s free, and you don’t need to wait and see.
Does Speech Blubs replace a speech therapist?
No. Speech Blubs gives you short activities to practice together at home. A speech therapist evaluates your child and plans the therapy. If your child sees a therapist, ask which activities fit.
Which languages is the Speech Blubs app in?
Speech Blubs is available in English (US and UK) and Spanish, plus 11 more languages. These include German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Swedish, Polish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Lithuanian and Romanian. You can switch the language in the app menu.
Life with little ones in Oxnard
Speech therapy for kids in Oxnard: help nearby and practice at home
Early Start through Tri-Counties in Ventura County
Oxnard sits in Ventura County, so Early Start for babies and toddlers goes through Tri-Counties Regional Center. Its county line is 800-664-3177, and its Ventura office lists 805-485-3177.
The center takes a call from anyone, including a parent. Have your child’s birth date and a few examples of what they say ready. Early Start covers children from birth to 36 months. Children’s Therapy Network also lists early intervention for babies up to 3 years old.
What the Oxnard School District asks for
The Oxnard School District’s Special Education Department is at 1051 South A Street. It lists Preschool Assessment Services and Supports and special day preschool classrooms at San Miguel. Rio, Hueneme and Ocean View districts cover other parts of the city.
A written request needs your signature, the date and the area of concern, such as language or communication. If the district declines, it must explain why in writing. You can then talk with the principal or the Special Education Manager for your child’s school.
The Ventura County SELPA, the countywide special education planning group, answers parent questions at (805) 437-1560. You may also file a complaint with the California Department of Education if you disagree with a decision.
A first call, then an outing close to home
Start with one call this week. Say your child’s age, the words they use and what worries you. Ask what happens next and how long it usually takes.
Then plan something easy. The South Oxnard Branch Library holds baby and toddler story times. At ’Olołkoy Beach Park, the playground gives you plenty of short words to practice: up, over, go.
We last checked these details in November 2026.
Sources
· We checked these official pages in November 2026.
- Tri-Counties Regional Center: How to refer to Early Start · Sources reviewed:
- Tri-Counties Regional Center: Early Start · Sources reviewed:
- Oxnard School District Special Education · Sources reviewed:
- Children’s Therapy Network · Sources reviewed:
- Oxnard School District: San Miguel early childhood · Sources reviewed:
- Speech Blubs: App languages · Sources reviewed:
- Speech Blubs: App content languages · Sources reviewed:
- U.S. Census TIGERweb school districts · Sources reviewed:
- ’Olołkoy Beach Park · Sources reviewed:
- South Oxnard Branch Library · Sources reviewed:
- CDC: developmental milestones · Sources reviewed: