Welcome to the CMS/Early Steps Provider Management System! This site is for all individuals that wish to provide services and supports to infants, toddlers and their families under the auspices of Early Steps. This site sets forth the requirements for education, licensure, experience, and training and describes the process for application and approval as a provider. As a result, Early Steps provides the capability to maintain personnel standards and competencies to assure that individuals providing early intervention services are adequately prepared and trained as defined in Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The specific Early Steps policies for Personnel Development and Standards (Component 10) can be found here(doc - 113kb).

Individuals, both independent providers and providers affiliated with agencies who want to provide services as an employee or contractor with a Local Early Steps (LES), must apply and be approved as a provider in the Early Steps system. Every prospective Early Steps provider must complete an online application, have an individual email address, and be approved as an individual provider within one of the following provider classes in the Children’s Medical Services (CMS)/Early Steps (ES) Provider Management system:

• Physician and Physician Extender
• Licensed Healthcare Professional
• Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist
• Service Coordinator
• Non-licensed Provider

The process of provider application involves three basic steps:
Step One: Complete and electronically submit the appropriate application form for your provider class. You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of your application in 5-7 business days.

Step Two: Mail all required documentation, based on your provider class, to the Early Steps Provider Management Specialist. Documentation may include certifications, liability insurance, diplomas, experience verification, and fingerprint cards for background checks. All required provider documentation must be received within 60 days of completion of the online application. If all documentation is not received within 60 days, the application will be terminated from the system. See your provider class for specific documentation requirements.

Step Three: Upon review of the application and required documentation, the Early Steps Provider Management Specialist will contact you if there is any missing documentation. When your application has been approved, you and your Local Early Steps will be notified.

Remember: You must have access to the Internet and have an email address to enroll as a provider and access the required on-line training modules.

If you have difficulty accessing any material on this site because of a disability (i.e. unreadable file download, visual/multimedia presentation that is not adequately described, media that is not presented in a format that is readable by assistive technology), please contact us in writing or via telephone and we will work with you to make the information available. We will do everything possible to find a solution to any accessibility problem should the need arise.