Florida's Early Steps System
Each child grows at an individual pace, but research shows that a child's first three years are the most important time for learning. Getting help early puts your child on the right path to learn and develop at their full potential.
Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with significant delays or a condition likely to result in a developmental delay.
Early Steps services are based on Early Steps evaluations and your family's concerns, resources, and goals. The services your child may receive include:
- Assistive technology devices & services
- Audiology
- Counseling
- Family training
- Home visits
- Health services
- Medical services
- Nursing services
- Nutrition services
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy (including mental health and behavioral services)
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- Respitecare
- Service coordination
- Sign language and cued language
- Social work services
- Speech language pathology
- Translation/interpretation
- Transportation and related costs
- Vision services
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For most of these services, there will not be a charge or they will be covered by insurance or Medicaid if applicable. These services are provided by contracted local Early Steps offices across the state of Florida.
Features of Early Steps
- Brings services into the child's life rather than fitting the child into services.
- Maximizes each child's everyday natural learning opportunities.
- Enhances each child's development and participation in community life.
- Provides each child with a consistent team for evaluation and services.
- Gives families options in service decisions and encourages active partnerships.
- Provides a primary service provider to work with your family and the team.
For more information about Early Steps, please view our Policies and Public Reporting.
Florida's Central Directory provides information and referral services to families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Resource specialists provide answers and/or possible choices of services within your community, education on disability related services and provides advocacy role for families. For more information or to make a referral, please call 1 (800) 654-4440.
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