Parents and Caregivers

Parents may now search Florida's Directory of Early Childhood Services' database for national, state, and local resource listings. *NEW*

For New Families:

Florida's Early Intervention System, Early Steps, offers services to support families in the growth and development of infants and toddlers with special needs (birth to 36 months).

Click here to download an easy to print copy of the Early Steps Brochure,(294kb PDF) or here for our Brochure in Spanish(293kb PDF)

Click here to download our Early Steps Growth and Development Chart(34kb PDF), or  here for the Growth and Development Chart in Spanish(304kb PDF).

For Current Early Steps Families:

Hearing from YOU, is very important to Early Steps.  We especially want to know how well Early Steps is doing in meeting the needs of your child and family.  To do this, we conducted a survey in February, 2005 and the  Family Survey Results At A Glance(383kb PDF) are here.  Also - available the Family Survey statewide totals(36kb PDF).

Questions?  Or would you like to get more involved in you early intervention services in your community?  Please contact your local Early Steps to find additional partnering opportunities.

More Early Steps Information for Families:

Eligibility Early Steps Locations(~59kb PDF) Public Awareness Request for Mediation Form(31kb PDF)

Family Resource Specialists Program Policy & Procedures Link to Related Programs

Early Steps is administered by Children's Medical Services (CMS) in accordance with IDEA, Part C.  Early Steps offers early intervention services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay.  Sixteen contracted local Early Steps offices across the state coordinate with community agencies and other providers for the delivery of needed supports and services. 

Quarterly Message to Families:
 

May 2008(46kb PDF) January 2008(46kb PDF) July 2007 (50kb PDF)

April 2007(51kb PDF) October 2007(48kb PDF)

For more information about referrals or local Early Steps offices please call:
 

1-800-654-4440

 
*Important* Hurricane Preparation flyer  for Early Steps families with information on shelters for individuals with special medical needs.