First Steps is a statewide, voluntary educational program providing early intervention services for children with disabilities or developmental delays from birth to age 3. First Steps is administered by the Department for Public Health. The Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN) manages the point of entry for the KIPDA region.
The foundation of early intervention is to: support families in promoting their child's optimal development, facilitate the child's participation in family and community activities, and encourage the active participation of families in the intervention by embedding strategies into family routines.
The point of entry office (POE) is responsible for receiving all referrals to the First Steps program, determining eligibility through evaluations and assessments, and coordinating the development of the initial Individualized Family Service Plan.
POEs also are responsible for local Child Find activities, local public awareness activities, local interagency coordination/collaboration, administrative monitoring and analysis of POE and district performance.
Serving families in: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties.