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.
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 voluntary.
August 2008
Central Office Announces New Toll-Free Line and E-mail Address
Central office has set up a toll-free telephone number and a dedicated e-mail account to assist points of entry, service coordinators, providers, parents and other stakeholders in accessing central office staff.
Toll-free number - 1-877-41STEPS or 877-417-8377
E-mail
The First Steps Web site address remains the same
Increased access to central office has been a priority for the program for some time now. Access needs have increased since CBIS recently began referring customer service calls to central office due to staffing shortages. Since that time, service coordinators and providers have incurred costs associated with accessing central office directly to address service authorization and billing issues.
We hope both the toll-free phone line and dedicated e-mail account will make access to staff assistance and information easier and more efficient for our stateholders.
2008 First Steps Regional Needs Assessment
New Evaluation, Assessment and IFSP policies became effective October 1, 2008. These policies can be found under the Policy and Procedure Manual and Regulations tab on the left side of this Home Page.
April 2008
Attention Providers: Dell Computer Information
First Steps providers are eligible for discounts on Dell computers using the following process. The prices quoted generally will be 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 questions about 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
Draft Evaluation, Assessment, IFSP and Developmental Status Scale policies were posted for review and public comment from January 11, 2008 to February 15, 2008.