Early Steps

We are looking forward to seeing all of our Early Steps families today at The Family Cafe conference in Orlando at the Hyatt Regency. You will have a chance to meet other families, our State Office staff and all of our Family Resource Specialists from across the state.

We are looking forward to seeing all of our Early Steps families tomorrow at The Family Cafe conference in Orlando at the Hyatt Regency. You will have a chance to meet other families, our State Office staff and all of our Family Resource Specialists from across the state. if you didn’t register it’s okay, registration for the FREE conference for families with disabilities is available onsite.

We can't wait to see all of our Early Steps families at our statewide Early Steps Early Wishes Playgroup at The Family Cafe on Friday, June 14! Remember this conference is FREE for families and even though registration is now closed online, you can register on-site at the Hyatt Regency Orlando - Check the website for all the details www.familycafe.net

Here's a Hopkins Research Study regarding Developmental Milestone Delays - Remember, if you are located in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando or Citrus counties and are concerned about your child, give Early Steps a call (727) 767-4403

Study Finds COVID-19 Pandemic Led to Some, But Not Many, Developmental Milestone Delays in Infants and Young Children Due to the downward trend in respiratory viruses in Maryland, masking is no longer required but remains strongly recommended in Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. Read more.

If you are new to our Early Steps program, welcome! Here is a video to introduce you to Early Steps so you will know what to expect

Early Steps - Welcome Video

We are required under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to be the payer of last resort. Here is a video to explain more about insurance and billing procedures in our program

Early Steps Insurance & Billing Video

In our Early Steps program you have procedural safeguards. We call them "Family Rights" and this video explains what they mean

Early Steps Procedural Safeguards Video

If you are new to our Early Steps program, welcome! Here is a video to introduce you to Early Steps

Early Steps - Welcome Video

FREE disability conference in Florida for families 🤗

Online registration for The 26th Annual Family Cafe begins one week from today, on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14th.

That's when you'll be able to visit our website at familycafe.net to sign up to attend.

As always, there's no registration fee for people with disabilities and their families!

You'll also be able to request Financial Assistance to cover the cost of your hotel stay when you register. Just make sure to select the Financial Assistance option on the registration form.

Please note, Financial Assistance is determined by lottery. That means that everyone that applies before the April 1st deadline has the same odds of being selected for assistance.

We can't wait to see you in Orlando this June 14-16 for The 26th Annual Family Cafe!

A Family Resource Specialist (FRS) is a person who is a family member of a child who was eligible for or received early intervention services. The FRS has firsthand experience of Early Steps and can be a valuable resource for families participating in the program.

A FRS is located in every Early Steps service area.

The FRS advocates for families and receives feedback from them to help improve and enhance the program. The FRS listens to the views and needs of families, and serves as a community link to support them.

If you are located in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando or Citrus Counties, your Family Resource Specialist is Paula Burns. Her contact information is listed at the bottom of your Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) or you can call (727) 767-4403 to connect with her. If you are outside of the counties listed above, you can find out who your FRS is at this link: https://floridaearlysteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FRS-Contact-List-5.19.2023.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1wHRDiSnaY8WPa2kb812BOMQSEJ9xwab4sO6vxBL4bHI3HcPcwkOiamSg

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) established procedural safeguards to help parents and students understand their rights under federal law. Here is a video that explains this very important document.

Early Steps Procedural Safeguards Video

Here is a resource you're looking for groceries or meals. Simply enter your zip code and the map will provide the food resources closest to your location.

If you're looking for groceries or meals, .petersburgfreeclinic has a helpful tool that showcases food resources near you based on zip code. is proud to fund St. Pete Free Clinic's Pinellas County Food Resources map tool!

Simply enter your zip code and the map will provide the food resources closest to your location: stpetersburgfreeclinic.org/map.

For more Childhood Hunger resources, visit www.jwbpinellas.org/childhood-hunger

… The CDC’s "Learn the Signs. Act Early" team is excited to announce that the Milestone Tracker App has been updated with new features in English and Spanish! The app now provides even more helpful information via links to local resources and a tool to help keep track of information received during appointments with providers. Click below to learn more!

- English: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html
- Spanish: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spanish/actearly/spanish-milestones-app.html

Halloween treats for our Early Steps families 🎃

Next week is Halloween 👻 Feel free to share!

You know your child best. That’s why the Early Steps program works closely with you and your family to construct an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) to aid your child’s development.

You can read more about your involvement and the importance of this plan. https://floridaearlysteps.com/individualized-family-support-plans/

Knowing your child needs help can be an overwhelming and scary feeling for parents. Early Steps provides individual support throughout the enrollment process to help you stay informed. The enrollment roadmap on our Early Steps State Office website can show you what to expect from referral to transition. You can view it here: https://floridaearlysteps.com/enrollment-roadmap/

You can now refer a child with our secure online referral form

If you are not the parent, we do ask that you make sure the parent is aware of the referral first🙂 https://floridaearlysteps.com/make-a-referral/

Transition Tuesday!

When children turn 3 years old, they transition to services outside of our Early Steps Program. TATS (Technical Assistance & Training System) has some great resources for family to stay involved as they transition to Pre-K.

TATS is a statewide project which supports programs serving prekindergarten children with disabilities by providing technical assistance and training. This support promotes high quality programs leading to positive outcomes for children and their families.

TATS supports families in gaining knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures that promote their full participation in the education of their children who have unique needs.

Check out this link on their page.
https://tats.ucf.edu/family-involvement/

After your child is referred to Early Steps and determined eligible for services, a service coordinator will be assigned to your family to serve as the central point of contact. The Service Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the early intervention services listed in your Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) and meeting regularly to discuss your child’s progress. You can find their contact information on the bottom of the first page of your Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP).

A Family Resource Specialist (FRS) is a person who is a family member of a child who was eligible for or received early intervention services. The FRS has firsthand experience of Early Steps and can be a valuable resource for families participating in the program.

A FRS is located in every Early Steps service area.

The FRS advocates for families and receives feedback from them to help improve and enhance the program. The FRS listens to the views and needs of families, and serves as a community link to support them.

If you are located in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando or Citrus Counties, your Family Resource Specialist is Paula Burns. Her contact information is listed at the bottom of your Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) or you can call (727) 767-4403 to connect with her. If you are outside of the counties listed above, you can find out who your FRS is at this link:https://floridaearlysteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FRS-Contact-List-5.19.2023.pdf

The Early Steps program takes your concerns seriously and recognizes your right to make decisions about your child. Families have specific rights throughout their involvement in Early Steps called Procedural Safeguards.

You can read more about your Procedural Safeguards here: https://floridaearlysteps.com/individualized-family-support-plans/your-rights/

Would you like to know more about Early Steps? Here is a brief video from our Early Steps State Office that explains our program.

The Early Steps Program

FEEL FREE TO SHARE!
Children can be referred to Early Steps in various ways. Referrals can be submitted by anyone involved in the care of the child, including parents/caregivers and physicians.

If a family is located in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando or Citrus Counties, you may call 727-767-4403 to make a referral. Outside of our area, you can get assistance by calling 1-800-218-0001 or find your local office here: https://floridaearlysteps.com/contact/