West Central Florida Early Steps

Early Steps is a family-centered early intervention system that serves infants and toddlers who are:

• birth to 36 months, regardless of their family’s income;
• and have significant delays or an established condition that may result in a delay.

To be enrolled in Early Steps, children must first be found eligible through a screening process. For eligible children, there is no charge for treatment under the Early Steps program.

Every child grows at an individual pace, but research shows that a child’s first three years are the most important time for learning. Early Steps offers early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) with a disability or significant delays. “Early Intervention” refers to services for infants and toddlers that are designed to identify and treat a problem or delay as early as possible.

Early Steps provides families with services to enhance their child’s development so they are ready to learn when they enter school. There is no charge for Early Steps services, or they will be covered by insurance or Medicaid if applicable. Early Steps services are provided by contracted local Early Steps offices across the state. Our local Early Steps offices coordinate with community agencies and other providers for the delivery of needed supports and services.

A thorough assessment will be made of an eligible child’s skills and abilities. Then an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) is designed just for their family with expected goals based on the child’s individual development. The child’s IFSP determines needed early intervention services.

If you have questions about the West Central Florida Early Steps program or feel that your child needs an assessment, please contact us.