First Steps
First Steps is Missouri’s Early Intervention system for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, who have delayed development or diagnosed conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities.
Families play an integral role in their child’s development. The First Steps system provides families the tools they need to help their child be successful.
News & Updates
NEW! Provider Connections Newsletter - Winter/Spring 2012
Webinars/Special Education/Transition from First Steps to ECSE
Please join us for a webinar on Transition from First Steps to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) March 27, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
ECSE Parent Education - MoSPIN
Districts serving children who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) may be interested in learning more about Missouri Statewide Parent Involvement Network (MoSPIN).
NEW! Parent Connections Newsletter - Spring 2012
Revisions to Part C Standards and Indicators
Revisions have been made to the Part C Standards and Indicators document to align with current policies.
Webinars/Special Education/Transition from First Steps to ECSE
Please join us for a webinar on Transition from First Steps to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) that will be presented March 27, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Important - Updated Provider Agreement Needed by April 2, 2012
All states submitting an application for Part C funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to provide an application packet, which includes a summary of assurances that the state will use to implement Part C.
Reminder: No-show visits
Guidance and instructions for billing no-show visits for providers delivering First Steps services was made available in November 2011.
First Steps Online Training Modules - Revised
Over the past year, personnel in the Office of Special Education have been working on making updates to the First Steps Online Training Modules. The updated modules will be released to the website today.
Public Hearing on the Part C (First Steps) New System of Payments Policy
As announced through the January 20, 2012, SELS, all states making application for funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to make available for public review and comment the application packet for the federal IDEA Part C funds.
Part C State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report
We have filed the revised Part C State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR) with the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Missouri First Steps System of Payments Policy
To comply with 34 CFR Part 303.521, the Office of Special Education (OSE) has created a System of Payments Policy in relation to the First Steps Program that will be incorporated into the MO State Plan later in the fall.
Part C Application
All states making application for funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are required to make available for public review and comment the application packet for the federal IDEA Part C funds.
Reminder: Mileage invoice and payment
Guidance and instructions for mileage reimbursement to First Steps providers delivering direct services to First Steps children and families was made available in June 2011.
Assessment and Administering the DAYC – new document online
To better assist providers with administering the DAYC and reporting results, several frequently asked questions have been compiled and answered in a new document titled “Assessment and Administering the DAYC.”
Updated Reimbursement Schedule for 2012 Payments
The Central Finance Office (CFO) and the Office of Special Education-First Steps Program have posted an updated reimbursement schedule for claim submissions and check runs for the calendar year of 2012, effective December 21, 2011.
State Regulations/IDEA Part C
At the January 19, 2011, meeting, the State Board of Education acted on proposed changes for the Part C State Regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).