Did you know that there is a program in Indiana that helps children from birth until their 3rd birthday?
This program is called First Steps, and it provides eligible children and their families with a wide range of services.
Services are provided in the child’s natural environment, such as at home, in childcare, or in the community.
I have been working as a Developmental Therapist for the first steps program since 2018 and have also had my own child receive services so I would like to share with you a few things about this essential program in Indiana.
This is a sponsored post by Indiana First Steps. You can get more information about Indiana First Steps HERE. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
What is First Steps?
The First Steps program is part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services.
This division provides a variety of services to help Hoosiers with disabilities live independently.
When a caregiver has concerns about their child’s development they can call their regional contact to have their child screened or evaluated for free.
This evaluation is needed to determine eligibility for the program.
Who is eligible for First Steps?
Children who are experiencing developmental delays or have a diagnosed condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay are eligible for services from birth to age 3.
Where can I get information about child development?
There are many resources available to help parents track their child’s development.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a milestone tracker app that can be helpful in monitoring a child’s progress.
The app is available for free download on the iTunes and Google Play stores.
Where do I call if I have concerns?
There are nine local offices throughout the state of Indiana that assist in the coordination of services for children and their families.
Each of these local offices works with families and providers in their specific region to ensure that all children who may benefit from First Steps services receive the necessary help.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development you can call the office closest to you for information on requesting a screening or evaluation.
What can I expect during an evaluation?
When I had my son evaluated for the program, I had two therapists come right to my house.
This made it so easy because at the time I also had a 2-month-old baby!
They were very friendly and asked me about the concerns I had with my son’s development.
Then they played!
They observed my son playing with various types of toys and asked me some simple questions about what I saw during our day as well.
When we hear the word “evaluation” it can seem a bit intimidating.
After the evaluation, I was very relieved to know that my son qualified for services through the First Steps program.
My child is eligible for services…what happens next?
The First Steps program brings families together with a local network of professionals from education, health, and social service agencies from all 92 counties in Indiana.
These professionals can provide resources and services to support their family and their priorities.
Some of the services may include:
- Assistive Technology (AT)
- Audiological services
- Developmental Therapy (DT)
- Family education, training, counseling
- Health services
- Medical services
- Nursing services
- Nutrition services
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Physical Therapy (PT)
- Psychological services
- Service Coordination (SC)
- Social Work services
- Special Instruction [Developmental Therapy (DT)]
- Speech Therapy
- Transportation
- Vision
- Other services
When I had my son evaluated he received occupational therapy which took place at our house.
The therapist gave us support through ideas and strategies that we could use during playtime and our daily routines.
How much do services cost?
The First Steps program is available to all Hoosier families regardless of income level.
This means that no family is denied services based on their ability to pay.
Learn More About First Steps!
If you would like more information about the First Steps program, please visit the FSSA website HERE.
You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.