Helping children develop and succeed, one step at a time.
What is First Steps?
First Steps is Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (KEIS) that serves children from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or a particular medical condition that is known to cause a developmental delay. First Steps services are provided statewide and coordinated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Early Intervention means providing appropriate services and supports to families to enhance children’s growth and development. First Steps believes that all families know how their child best and are the primary decision makers.
What Services are Available?
•Service Coordination
•Evaluation
•Assessment
•Developmental intervention
•Occupational therapy
•Speech therapy
•Physical therapy
•Audiology services
•Vision services
•Nutrition
•Psychological
•Social Work
Eligibility for services is determined
through a process of child and family
assessment.
Where Are Services Provided?
Early Intervention services are provided in a child’s natural environment which includes their home, child care, or other community setting.
What is the Cost?
Once determined eligible, families must pay a participation fee. This is called “Family Share” and it is based on the family’s total household income and household size. The fee amounts range from $0 to a maximum of $100 per month.
Who Pays for Services?
First Steps uses a variety of funding sources including: Family Share Participation fees, private insurance and Medicaid. However, no family is denied services due to the lack of insurance or the inability to pay Family Share.
Who Pays for Services?
Anyone can make a referral. For questions regarding program services or to make a referral to the First Steps program, contact the local First Steps Point of Entry (POE) office.
Point of Entry Contact Information
Barren River District
Contact:
(270) 901-5749
(800) 642-6233
Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren
Big Sandy District
Contact:
(606) 886-4417
(800) 230-6011
Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, Pike
Bluegrass District
Contact:
(859)271-9448
(800) 454-2764
Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford
Buffalo Trace District
Contact:
(606) 564-3919
(800) 335-4249
Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, Robertson
Cumberland Valley District
Contact:
(606) 523-0229
(800) 509-9559
Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley
FIVCO District
Contact:
(606) 929-9155
(800) 650-1329
Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence
Gateway District
Contact:
(606) 674-3204
(800) 942-4358
Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan
Green River District
Contact:
(270) 852-2905
(888) 686-1414
Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster
Kentuckiana District
Contact:
(502) 459-0225
(800) 442-0087
Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble
Kentucky River District
Contact:
(606) 439-1325
(800) 328-1767
Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe
Lake Cumberland District
Contact:
(606) 678-2821
(800) 378-2821
Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne
Lincoln Trail District
Contact:
(270) 737-5921
(800) 678-1879
Breckenridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Washington
Northern Kentucky
Contact:
(859) 655-1195
(888) 300-8866
Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton
Pennyrile District
Contact:
(270) 886-5186
(800) 609-0047
Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Lyon, Muhlenburg, Todd, Trigg
Purchase District
Contact:
(270) 442-6223
(800) 678-6599
Ballard, Carlisle, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken