First Steps clients will be provided with a developmental, enriched, and imaginative environment that will cultivate growth and development for your child.
As a parent, you know your child best, but it can be hard to know what to expect in terms of development. First Steps is Indiana’s go-to resource to help you through the process.
Anyone can refer a child to First Steps. Whether you are a parent, family member, service provider, doctor or someone else in a baby’s or toddler’s life, you can connect that child with First Steps and help them learn and grow.
Contact First Steps directly to assess eligibility for your child or a child you know. If it is determined that a child is eligible and in need of early intervention services after an assessment, a service coordinator will work to get the best available support for your child and family.
Families with children from birth to their third birthday who:
**If you think your child or a child you know may be experiencing developmental delays, contact your physician or First Steps for further information and support. The sooner you reach out to First Steps the more we can do for you and your child.
Getting started with First Steps is easy. You can complete the online referral form below or make a phone call to the Systems Point of Entry (SPOE) office at 317-257-2229. Once a referral is received, a Service Coordinator contacts the family within two business days to get the process started.
Our office receives referrals for Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, and Tipton Counties only. If you are from a different county, please check the State First Steps website to find contact information for your area by clicking here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/firststeps/first-steps-offices/
First Steps is Indiana’s early intervention program for children birth to age 3 who would benefit from additional support to meet their developmental milestones. First Steps supports families and caregivers by helping their children learn and grow through their family’s everyday activities. Children learn to build relationships with other children and adults, develop independence, play and grow.
The goal of First Steps is to help Hoosier families make sure their infants and toddlers receive services that work best for their growth and learning along with their family’s needs. We provide services on an individual basis. You and your child are the most important part of the program, and we customize our support services to reflect cultures, priorities and preferred learning styles that best fit your wants and needs. Babies and toddlers develop and learn through meaningful everyday routines with people and places they know. We connect families with services to help wherever it’s most convenient and familiar, many times in-home.
Early Intervention describes the services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. This may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family.
Developmental delays and disabilities may include impairment in physical, learning, language or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period and may impact day-to-day functioning beyond a child’s early years.
Developmental Milestones are skills children learn as they grow. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move.
