Early Steps offers early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with a disability or significant delay under the federal special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C. The Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services is the lead agency to implement IDEA, Part C services in the state of Florida. CMS contracts with sixteen (16) Local Early Steps providers throughout the state. The contract provider in the Western Panhandle (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties) is Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Florida’s Early Steps is a partnership with providers and families to deliver services that support children’s well-being and development where they live, learn and play. There is no charge to families for services but insurance or Medicaid will be billed if applicable.
Eligibility and need for services is determined through a multi-disciplinary developmental evaluation. An Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) is developed with the family to identify outcomes desired by the family and early intervention services necessary to meet the outcomes.
