First Steps is a statewide early intervention system which provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. First Steps is Kentucky's response to the federal Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) established by Public Law 99-457 Part C. First Steps offers comprehensive services through coordination with a variety of community agencies and service disciplines. First Steps is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
View the First Steps 2008 Public Service Announcement
View the First Steps Family Orientation video
Why Provide Services?
Typically, children who participate in early intervention experience significant improvement in development and learning. Children with developmental delays or conditions likely to cause delays benefit greatly from First Step services during critical developmental years.
Services and support also benefit families by reducing stress.
Early intervention services can decrease the need for costly special education programs later in life by remediating problems early in the child's development.
Who Does First Steps Serve?
First Steps serves children from birth to age 3 and their families. Child eligibility for the program is determined two ways:
- By developmental delay - A child may be eligible for services if an evaluation shows that a child is not developing typically in at least one of the following skill areas: ccmmunication, cognition, physical, social and emotional or self-help.
- Automatic entry - A child may be eligible if he or she receives a diagnosis of physical or mental condition with high probability of resulting developmental delay, such as Down Syndrome.
How are First Steps services provided?
First Steps is available in all Kentucky counties. Services may be provided in the home, at child development or other designated centers or in a clinical setting, depending on the needs of the child and family and the availability of services in a given area.
Anyone can refer a child for First Steps services by calling 800-442-0087.
Referrals are directed to teams at the district Point of Entry offices that help children and families access needed services. Services are available to any child and family who meet developmental eligibility criteria, regardless of income. A family's participation in First Steps services is always optional.
August 2008
For the 2008 First Steps Regional Needs Assessment, click here.
The following policies and form regarding Evaluation, Assessment, IFSP Development, the DSS and KEDS data entry will take effect on October 1, 2008. These policies were posted for public notice and comment in July 2007 and again on January 11, 2008. All comments received were reviewed, considered, and incorporated when, and as possible.
Questions regarding these policies should be directed to your regional Technical Assistance Team; a listing of which can be found on this website under the Service Provider Information tab on the left side of the screen.
Addendum to DSS
Form 22
Section III - Evaluation Eligibility
Section IV - Assessment
Section VI - IFSP
April 2008
Attention Providers: Dell Computer Information
First Steps providers are eligible for discounts on Dell computers using the following process. The prices quoted will be generally lower than regular retail prices listed on the Dell Web site. Build the computer you want and submit you options for a cost quote. If you have any problems with this process please call Joe Gonzales at Dell (see contact information below). He is happy to help.
Quote to Order process:
Go to the Dell Web site.
Select Guest Checkout on lower right
Enter quote number
Enter Customer number 91183898
Type in your Bill to/Ship to address
Check Agree to not to export and Dell Terms and Conditions
Select Continue
Choose Payment Type (select purchase order – Net 30 terms or CC)
Select Submit Order
Joe H. Gonzales
Public Transactional Group
Phone: 1 (800) 576-6038 Ext 72-36940
Direct fax- PO Fax: (512) 283-2405
Quote Request Fax: (512) 283-2405
Customer Care
OrderStatus
Provider Agreements
Current provider agreements expire on June 30, 2008. First Steps renewing their provider agreements must be sure their completed new agreements arrive at the First Steps Central office no later than June 30 to prevent any lapse in enrollment.
This year the Cabinet is using separate provider agreements for primary service coordinators. Please make note of this change and be sure to download the proper agreement. Businesses providing primary service coordination in addition to other early intervention (First Steps) services, must complete the Primary Service Coordination Provider Agreement and the Service Provider Agreement. Both agreements should be attached to a single Form 6 (and accompanying Form 6As as necessary).
Effective July 1, 2008, the Cabinet will conduct Child Abuse and Neglect (CA/N) Central Registry, criminal background and Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry checks for all First Steps providers, including primary service coordinators.
Please review the mandatory child abuse/neglect registry, criminal background and sex offender registry check policy. Providers renewing their enrollment must complete the required background checks no later than Dec. 31, 2008.
Beginning July 1, 2008, the Cabinet's First Steps Provider Code of Ethical Conduct will be in effect. The code is available on the First Steps Web site and was mailed to each enrolled provider Feb. 29, 2008. Please review the code prior to signing the Provider Agreement.
This year the Cabinet will require training for all providers, including primary service coordinators. Please review the provider agreement for details regarding this training.
This year, access to the Cabinet's online features,information and applications will require reliable Internet access and Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher. If you do not currently have this capability, please inquire about local Internet access availability and contact a software provider for the required browser.
Please send completed contract to: Jackie Neal, First Steps Program, 275 East Main Street, HS2W-C, Frankfort, KY 40621.
If you have any questions regarding the enrollment renewal materials, please contact Jackie Neal at 502/564-3756 x 4049.
March 2008
FFY 2008 Part C Federal Grant Application
February 2008
Sensory Strategies to Improve Children's Learning and Behavior
March 12, 2008 - Louisville
January 2008
The DRAFT Evaluation, Assessment, IFSP and Developmental Status Scale policies, as well as a new required form are posted for review and public comment. Access policy documents by clicking on the links below. The policies will be posted and comments will be accepted through Feb. 15, 2008. Written comments can be provided by clicking here.
You may also send written comments to:
First Steps
Department for Public Health
275 East Main Street, HS2W-C
Frankfort, Ky. 40621-0001
E-mail comments will not be accepted.
Section III - Evaluation Eligibility, Jan. 2008
Section IV - Assessment, Jan. 2008
Section VI - IFSP, Jan. 2008
Proposed Addendum to First Steps Policy - DSS, Jan. 2008
Form 22, Jan. 2008
2007
Q and A for PLE Meeting
Policy Addendum regarding Assessment
The policy addenda included here became effective Aug. 1. The first addendum eliminates the DOCS from current procedure. The second addendum specifies which criterion-referenced assessment instruments must be used by primary-level evaluators when conducting five-area assessments of children with established risk conditions and includes related policy modifications. These addenda also include Resource–15 (RES-15), which went into effective Sept. 1, and contains the list of Cabinet-approved assessment instruments referenced in the second policy addendum. These addenda contain the final policy language.
These policy addenda were posted for public notice July 12. Written comments were received by e-mail. No formal written comments were received. Comments regarding elimination of the DOCS were positive. Inquiries, rather than comments, were submitted regarding the specified criterion-referenced instruments to use when conducting five-area assessments. Additional information about specific instruments and training and clarification regarding implementation dates also were requested .
Questions regarding these policy changes should be directed to regional program consultants.
7-31-2007 Memorandum
8-1-2007 - Addendum to First Steps Policy - Screening
8-1-2007 Addendum to First Steps Policy - Assessment
RES - 15
Part C Coordinator's Letter 7-20-2007
Proposed First Steps Policy Addenda
On Friday, Sept. 7, the four proposed policy addenda, tentatively scheduled to become effective Oct. 1, were withdrawn for review and revision. When revised, proposed policies will be posted again for public notice and comment. Resource 15 (RES-15), which is posted here, remains open for comment through Sept. 30 and is scheduled to become effective Oct. 1.
RES-15 10.1
Infant Toddler Institute Announcement
Aug. 11-13, 2008