1. Erica Walker, Specialist
Indiana First Steps
Erica Walker, Specialist

2. First Steps is the state of Indiana’s early intervention program
First Steps is the state of Indiana’s early intervention program. The program serves infants and toddlers (birth-3) who have developmental delays or a diagnosis with a high probability of delay.
Every child in Indiana is eligible for a free developmental evaluation, regardless of income or location. Children must meet eligibility criteria and show a need for services to receive ongoing services.

3. Referrals Anyone can make a referral Call or submit an online inquiry
Basic information is needed:
Child’s name
DOB
Address and phone number
Name of child’s doctor
Reason for referral
Referrals can come from parents, friends, childcare providers and physicians.
Reason for referral can be for any concerns in development.

4. Process
Once the referral is received, a coordinator will contact the family within 2 business days.
An intake meeting is completed.
An evaluation is completed to determine eligibility.
IFSP is written if appropriate.
IFSP- Individualized Family Service Plan

5. Delays Physical Cognitive Communication Self-help and Adaptive
Social-emotional
Development is the process of learning and growing in skills. First Steps assesses children in five developmental areas.
COGNITIVE SKILLS: such as paying attention, knowing how to play with toys, playing turn-taking games, problem solving activities
PHYSICAL SKILLS: such as sitting, walking, balancing, picking up small objects, coloring with crayons, vision and hearing
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: such as pointing, talking, understanding directions,
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: such as making eye contact, getting along with others, expressing feelings, being able to be in group settings
ADAPTIVE and SELF-HELP SKLLS: such as feeding, sleeping; getting dressed independently

6. Eligibility
A developmental checklist can be found online at
Your child must have a 25% delay in one of the five developmental areas or a 20% delay in two of the five areas (cognitive, physical, communication, social or adaptive).
The evaluation completed will determine the amount of delay present.
The child must show a need for services.
The evaluation includes information collected from a multi-disciplinary team, parents report, information from the childs doctors and the service coordinators interview at intake.
Evaluation is completed in home with parent(s)/guardian.

7. Services Assistive Technology (AT) Physical therapy
Audiological
Psychological
Developmental therapy
Social Work
Nutrition
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Audiological
Service coordination
Vision
There are 16 services available through First Steps. Some of those services include:
These services are available, but a child must show a need in order for them to receive them.

8. Services (continued)
All services take place in your child’s natural environment.
This is typically the home, but can include daycare or other places your family frequents.
The program is voluntary and can be stopped at any time.
All services are respectful of your family’s culture, values and priorities.
These services are available, but a child must show a need in order for them to receive them.

9. Service Coordinator
The role of the Service Coordinator is to manage the child’s services
Identify resources
Review progress of the child
Update information, outcomes and IFSP when needed
Quarterly meetings

10. Transition Children exit First Steps when they turn 3 years old.
The last day of therapy can be the day before the child’s 3rd birthday.
LEA (Local Education Agency) – If child is still in need of therapy services, the local public school can evaluate and offer services upon qualifying.
Service Coordinator will initiate transition meeting.
School representative should be present.
Discuss future options and services.
Written plan is developed and steps outlined.

11. 30 month consent
Parent/Guardian signature to allow First Steps to send child’s information.
Release information to LEA
Demographic information
Eligibility form
Social history
IFSP
Evaluation reports
Progress reports
PHS (Physicians Health Summary)

12. Transition Meeting Meet with LEA Discuss development of child
270 days to 90 days
Discuss development of child
Discuss family priorities and concerns
Determine what areas to evaluate
Determine time lines of transition plan
A mandated transition meeting must be held between 270 and 90 days before the child’s 3rd birthday.
The service coordinator is responsible for arranging and facilitating this meeting and a school system representative should be present.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss future service options and matters related to the transition.
During this meeting, a written plan for transition is developed, which outlines the steps that the family, current early intervention team, early childhood special education staff and/or other community service providers will follow in order to ensure a seamless and smooth transition from First Steps.
The role of the service coordinators and providers at the transition meeting includes:
Actively participate in the development of the transition plan
Discuss family priorities and concerns with regards to transition expectations
Provide present levels of development and be prepared to share the most recent quarterly report to the school system representative, with parental consent
Make recommendations to help achieve transition outcomes stated by the family
Be knowledgeable of local resources

13. Evaluation At local public school facility.
Consent needs to be signed by family.
LEA will schedule with the family directly.

14. Case Conference Final meeting with LEA Determine eligibility
Write IEP if appropriate
Discuss services and scheduling
Least restrictive environment
What to expect from the school system:
When your child transitions into the school system, the goals and therapy may look very different from those in First Steps.
While in First Steps, your child’s goals were likely centered on developmental milestones, therapies were one-on-one, and sessions lasted approximately an hour.
Now that your child will be receiving services from the school system, the services become educationally based.
Goals and therapies are now focused on what will make your child’s educational experience the most successful.
Therapies and services are typically give in minutes per month and can be broken up in various minute blocks.
These minutes can be used while your child receives therapy in a large or small group, one-on-one, in and/or out of the classroom, and these minutes can also include planning/paperwork time for the therapist/teacher.
It is advisable that parents become familiar with Article 7 and IDEA, which are the state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines that ensure children with disabilities receive the appropriate education and services.

15. Options for over 3 years old
Talk with your doctor
Contact your local school district for early childhood special education services
Private preschool
Outpatient therapy services
Head Start
Childcare
Community programs
Alternative therapies
OP- 1:1 therapy with minimal distractions. Paid for by private insurance, Medicaid, CSHCS or private pay.
Alternative- hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, music therapy ABA. Insurance may not cover or maybe limited insurance coverage.
Funding sources- insurance, self-pay, grants, fundraising, appeal insurance,
Other supports/therapy:
Because services are very different in the school system, parents often seek out private therapy for their child.
Private therapy gives your child the benefit of having one-on-one treatment with minimal distractions.
Therapy may be paid for by private insurance, Medicaid, Children’s Special Health Care Services, and/or self-pay.
That said, parents are encouraged to pursue insurance coverage for these programs. If insurance denies payment, parents have the right to appeal the decision.
Parents may also opt to pay out of pocket, apply for grants, or do personal fundraising in order to cover the costs of these therapies.

16. Links
Family Voices Fact Sheet about First Steps Transition – content/uploads/2016/10/Transitioning_From_First_Steps. pdf
Wrightslaw Early Intervention -
IN DOE- Special Education -
IN DOE Similarities between First Steps & Special Education Preschool - between-indiana-first-steps-early-intervention-and-public- preschool-special
IN DOE Parent’s Guide - education-services-parent%E2%80%99s-guide

17. References
Indiana First Steps Retrieved from

18. Questions?

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