The Process
Referrals
Children are referred to First Steps by a primary referral source contacting the local System Point of Entry (SPOE) closest to the child’s family. Primary referral sources include:
- Hospitals, including prenatal and postnatal care facilities
- Physicians
- Parents
- Child-care programs
- Local educational agencies (including special education and Parents as Teachers)
- Public health facilities
- Other social service agencies
- Other health care providers
The primary referral source may complete the standardized referral form /divspeced/FirstSteps/pdfs/Forms/GeneralRefFrm.pdf in ink and fax or mail the information to the local SPOE. SPOE staff will also accept this referral information by phone. Additionally, a referral form specifically for infants who are being referred from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is available at /divspeced/FirstSteps/pdfs/Forms/NICUReferFrm.pdf.
When a SPOE receives a referral, the Intake Coordinator assigned to the family sends a written acknowledgment of receipt of the referral to the primary referral source. While not federally required, it is effective practice that the family is informed of the referral to First Steps by the primary referral source. Unless the basis for the referral clearly indicates that the child would not be eligible for First Steps, the Intake Coordinator contacts the family within two working days of the referral to welcome the family, explain First Steps to them, and start the process of eligibility determination.
If the family chooses to proceed, a multidisciplinary evaluation of the child is conducted to determine whether or not the child is eligible for First Steps services. However, an evaluation does not always mean that tests must be conducted. Evaluation to determine a child’s eligibility for First Steps is provided to the family at no cost and will be arranged by the Intake Coordinator.
Eligibility Determination
Children are eligible for early intervention services if they exhibit a significant delay or atypical development in one or more of the following developmental areas:
- Cognition (learning)
- Communication
- Adaptive (self help)
- Physical
- Social-Emotional
Children with a diagnosed physical or mental condition associated with developmental disability or resulting in a developmental delay or disability are also eligible for early intervention services.
How Do Families Find Out If Their Child Is Eligible For First Steps?
Families come to First Steps in two ways:
- Referrals by doctors, hospital staff, social service agency caseworkers, or the Parents As Teachers (PAT) program.
- Self-referrals: Contacting First Steps directly with concerns about a child's development.
For more information regarding Eligibility Determination, visit the Eligibility & Referral main page.
Assessment and Evaluation
Initial Assessment and Evaluation
The first thing the First Steps team does to help your infant or toddler get the help they need is to schedule an Initial Assessment and Evaluation within 45 days of referral. This service brings you together with a team of professionals to determine whether or not your child demonstrates a developmental delay or disability.
Intake Coordinator
After the Initial Assessment and Evaluation, your family will sit down with a First Steps Intake Coordinator. This person will assist you by being the one person responsible for coordinating with all the various agencies who will provide services for your child, minimizing "red tape," and saving your family time, energy and needless expense.
First Steps is "family-centered" because each family is a key participant on the multidisciplinary team responsible for matching services to meet the outcomes that best describe your concerns, priorities, and resources related to your child's development. To do this, your Intake Coordinator will schedule a team meeting where everyone sits down together to review the results of the Assessment, review your concerns and your child's needs, and consider what services and supports will best address your outcomes. A major focus of this planning activity is to identify the daily routines and activities, and places where you and your child typically spend your time.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
This information then becomes the basis for an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), a written "road map" or action plan for the services your child and family will receive. The IFSP is written for a year and is reviewed at least every six months. It includes your major goals for your child:
- How progress will be measured
- What and where services will be provided
- When they will begin and for how long
- Methods of payment
- Transition up to the child's third birthday
Service Coordinator
An ongoing Service Coordinator will work with you to be sure that your IFSP is implemented and that you are satisfied with the services and supports that you are receiving.
Early Intervention Services
First Steps provides family-centered early intervention services, based on the special needs of each child and family. The following services can be provided to children and families:
- Family training, counseling and home visits
- Special instruction, developmental therapy
- Speech, language therapy
- Occupational, physical therapy
- Psychological Services
- Service coordination
- Medical services for diagnosis, evaluation
- Social work, counseling services
For a continued overview of the First Steps system, please follow these links: