Eligibility

Children from birth to 36 months old may be eligible for services through Early Steps based on the following eligibility criteria:

Part C (the federal program for infants and toddlers under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act):

This is a federal entitlement program and has no financial eligibility requirements. Infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) with an established condition or a developmental delay are eligible.

Established Condition - The child has a diagnosis that has a high probability of resulting in disability or developmental delay, in one of the following areas:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Genetic /Metabolic disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Severe attachment disorders
• Significant sensory impairments (hearing impairment or vision impairment)

A written confirmation from a licensed physician (or in the case of severe attachment disorder a licensed psychologist or in the case of hearing loss a licensed audiologist) of the diagnosis or suspected diagnosis is needed to establish service eligibility.

• Eligibility Criteria for Significant Hearing Loss(PDF - 98KB)
• Hearing Report Form for Referral of Children with Significant Hearing Loss(DOC - 82KB)
  
  
• SHINE Hearing Loss Services
  
  
• Eligibility Criteria for Significant Visual Impairment(PDF - 14KB)
• Eye Report Form for Referral of Children with Significant Visual Impairment(PDF - 86KB)
  
  
• Vision Information & Services

Developmental Delay - An infant or toddler manifests a developmental delay, on an appropriate evaluation or assessment protocol or based on informed clinical opinion, in at least one of the following areas:

• Cognition
• Physical/motor (including vision and hearing)
• Communication
• Social or emotional
• Adaptive development

The developmental delay must be equal to or greater than 1.5 standard deviation on a standardized assessment tool or at least a 25% delay in terms of months of age.

Developmental Evaluation and Intervention - Infants and toddlers who meet the following criteria may be served through this state-funded program for at-risk infants.

• Families must meet income criteria that is equal to or less than the Medicaid income eligibility limit for family size.

• Other eligibility requirements: Infants who have been served in the neonatal intensive care unit of designated hospitals and who meet certain medical criteria for being at high risk for developmental delay: such as extreme low birth weight, low Apgar score cards, complex family psycho-social conditions in addition to one or more of the above medical/health concerns for the infant which in combination would place the child at significant developmental risk.

• Infants who are identified as having a diagnosed hearing impairment may be served.

For more information click on the Program Plan - Evaluation & Assessment(PDF - 127KB) or contact your Local Early Steps.(PDF - 53KB)