Missouri First Steps

Helping children Birth to 36 months

Mission Statement

• " First Steps is a support and service system designed to improve family capacity to enhance their child’s development and learning and to increase the child’s participation in family and community life. "
• https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps/belief-statements

Our BELIEFS

• Encourage and promote family decsions and strengths.
• Provided individualized services.
• Provide services in a natural environment and in the families normal routine.
• Believe that Early intervention and family involvement are critical for children.

Ways we help

• Create an Early Intervention Team (EIT)
• Assign a service coordinator to explain First Steps, schedule assessments for your child, and develop goals and outcomes in an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
• An IFSP is based on your family and what needs are unique for you.

Ways we help

• Assign a primary provide, who helps you use activities you already enjoy, to help your child grow and learn. They also provide the connection between you and the other members of the EIT.
• Other members of the EIT are physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, special instructor and several other specialist that are needed.

Cost for Families

• Cost is based on family size and income.
• In a family of 2 it is free it they have an income of under $32,920 above that the fees start at $5 month and can go up to $100 month depending on family income.

No Cost for Families

• In a family of 3 it is up to $41,560
• In a family of 4 it is up to $50,200
• In a family of 5 it is up to $58,840
• No family pays more than $100 a month.

Assessments are done to decide eligibility.

First Steps works with family on their schedule. They come to families in their natural environment.

Specialist and therapist come into the families homes.

How to get in contact

"Region 7

(Southwest)

2312 Annie Baxter

Joplin, MO 64804

Phone: 417-623-3243

Fax: 417-623-4016

Main Contact:

Rebekah Agans,

Director

ragans@cssmo.org
"
https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/se-fs-spoe-contact-information-by-r...

I would recommend First Steps to any of the families in my future preschool classroom who may have development delays or disabilities.

I have personally witnessed Missouri First Steps in a family members home. They worked side by side with the family members to help my nephew grow and learn.

The therapist, primary provides and special instructors came into the home and truly cared about my nephew and his family.

First Steps

• Care about the child and family
• Have mulitply resource that work together
• Work with families in a home environment
• Have a cost that is affordable based on family income.

First steps

Works Cited

• https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps/belief-statements
• https://www.mofirststeps.com/
• https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps/parents