Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (formerly First Steps) 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. Services are provided statewide and coordinated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Early Intervention means providing appropriate services and support to families to enhance children’s growth and development. We believe families know their child best and are the primary decision makers.
The Kentucky Early Intervention program provides a wide variety of services and supports including:
Eligibility for services is determined through a process of child and family assessment.
Early Intervention services are provided in a child’s natural environment which includes their home, child care, or other community setting.
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.
We use 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.
Anyone can make a referral. For questions regarding program services or to make a referral to the program, contact the local Kentucky Early Intervention Services Point of Entry (POE) office
