County resource guide
Sierra County, California
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Sierra County. California statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
12 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Downieville · multi-county
Tahoe Forest Health System — Developmental Referrals
The nearest hospital for most Sierra County families is Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee (Placer County, 45 min–1.5 hrs depending on location). Tahoe Forest can coordinate developmental referrals to Sacramento-area specialists. For autism evaluations, families travel to Reno NV (30 min from Truckee) or Sacramento (2 hrs). Telehealth with UC Davis MIND Institute is the most accessible option.
Sierra County has no hospital. Tahoe Forest (Truckee) and Sierra Nevada Memorial (Grass Valley) are the nearest facilities. Telehealth evaluation strongly recommended.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Quincy · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Plumas County (Telehealth)
Telehealth ABA parent coaching and limited in-home services for Plumas County families. No local ABA providers exist in Quincy or anywhere in Plumas County. Telehealth parent coaching from Chico-area BCBAs is the most practical option. Center-based ABA requires travel to Chico or Redding.
No local ABA in Plumas County. Telehealth parent coaching plus travel to Chico for in-person services. Regional Center authorization required.
Downieville · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Sierra County (Telehealth)
Telehealth ABA parent coaching for Sierra County families. No ABA providers exist in Sierra County. Telehealth parent coaching from Alta California RC-authorized BCBAs is the only in-county option. Families needing center-based ABA must travel to Reno (via Truckee) or Sacramento.
No local ABA in Sierra County. Telehealth coaching only. Regional Center authorization required.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Downieville
Autism Society of California — Gold Country Families
Statewide Autism Society of California virtual resources for Sierra County families. No local chapter exists — statewide virtual peer support and online communities are the primary organized autism support in this tiny mountain county.
No local chapter. Virtual statewide resources.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Sacramento · multi-county
Alta California Regional Center
California's Regional Center serving Sacramento and surrounding counties. Coordinates services and funds early intervention, respite, day programs, and adult services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Apply as soon as developmental concerns arise.
Largest geographic Regional Center in California. Intake office in Sacramento.
Grass Valley · multi-county
Alta California Regional Center — Nevada County
California's Regional Center serving Nevada County as part of Alta California's Northern California coverage area. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. Sacramento main office handles Nevada County intakes — many families travel to Roseville or Sacramento for services.
Apply at diagnosis. Nevada County is a foothill community — many families travel to Roseville or Sacramento for specialized services.
Roseville · multi-county
Alta California Regional Center — Placer County
California's Regional Center serving Placer County as part of Alta California's coverage area. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services. Sacramento main office handles Placer County intakes.
Placer County families should contact the Sacramento main office for intake.
Quincy · multi-county
Alta California Regional Center — Plumas County
California's Regional Center serving Plumas County, a mountainous county in the northern Sierra Nevada. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services via Sacramento main office and the Chico satellite. Quincy is the county seat — travel to Chico (1.5 hrs) or Sacramento (3 hrs) is required for most services.
Apply at diagnosis. Chico satellite office (530-895-4011) is the nearest Alta RC office for Plumas County families.
Downieville · multi-county
Alta California Regional Center — Sierra County
California's Regional Center serving Sierra County, one of the nation's least populated counties (fewer than 3,500 residents). Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services via Sacramento main office. Telehealth coordination is the standard for this remote mountain county.
Apply at diagnosis. Sierra County has no hospital and no city larger than 1,000 people. Telehealth is the only realistic service coordination model. Sacramento main office: (916) 978-6400.
Grass Valley · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network — Nevada County Families
Federally funded PTI offering free IEP advocacy and special education support for Nevada County families. Phone and remote support available — especially important for families in foothill communities with limited local resources.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Quincy · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network — Plumas County Families
Federally funded PTI offering free IEP advocacy and special education support for Plumas County families by phone and remote services. Small school districts in Plumas County may have limited special education expertise — Matrix provides specialized remote advocacy.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Remote support only for this mountain county.
Downieville · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network — Sierra County Families
Federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and special education support for Sierra County families via phone and remote services. With only a few dozen children in special education across the entire county, Matrix offers essential expertise that the small local school district may lack.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. All services remote — Sierra County is among the most isolated in California.
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