First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
What Is First Steps?
First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that 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. First Steps offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and 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 remedying 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:
1. 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: communication, cognition, physical, social and emotional or self-help.
2. 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 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.
How Can I Learn More About First Steps Services?
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.
Central Office Toll-Free Telephone
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 - 1-877-417-8377
E-mail: chfs.firststeps@ky.gov
Enrollment Procedures for Becoming a First Steps Service Provider
A new provider is defined as:
* An independent provider or entity/agency consisting of one or more providers that does not have a current contract and provider number; or The personnel who will be providing services under a new contract/ provider number (i.e. Wilson Pediatric Therapy); or
* A provider who is currently working under another provider entity’s provider number and wants to provide services under his/her own provider number; or
* A former First Steps provider who is not covered under a current contract and does not have a valid CBIS provider number.
Step 1: Review the service provider list and the qualifications for being approved as a Service Provider. You must meet highest entry level requirements for one of the following professions. If you are unsure if you meet the qualifications contact Jackie Neal at Jackie.Neal@ky.gov. Failure to meet qualifications will result in completion of on-line training but failure to qualify for attendance at the face-to-face orientation. Click here to review minimum qualifications: 911 KAR 2:150
Step 2: Register for online Service Provider Training
Step 3: Contact Wilson Pediatric Therapy so that we know where you are in the process and give you our service provider number. You will need to know this information when you go for the face-to-face orientation.
Step 4: First Steps Face-to-Face Orientation
Once you have successfully completed the on-line orientation you will be able to register for face-to-face orientation provided by a First Steps Technical Assistance Team in your area.
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