What is Early Intervention/KEIS?
First Steps is Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (KEIS) that serves children from birth to age three 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 lead agency, Cabinet for Health Services. Anyone in your community, including yourself, can call the district Point of Entry (POE) office to refer a child suspected of having a delay to the First Steps service system.
Contact Information
Kentucky Early Intervention System
Email: DPHKEIS@ky.gov
Mailing Address
275 E. Main St. HS2WC
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-3756
Fax: (502) 564-8003
Toll Free: (877) 417-8377
Contact First Steps to set up initial services in your area
Please see the Point of Entry list by location for Kentucky. Associates in Pediatric Therapy only provides the therapists for First Steps, so initial set up will need to be done through First Steps and not Associates in Pediatric Therapy.
Is My Child Eligible for KEIS Services?
With your permission, staff from the district POE office will visit your family, explain the First Steps program, assign an Initial Service Coordinator, and arrange for an evaluation, if needed, to determine if your child will be eligible for services. This evaluation is a procedure to see if your child has a significant delay in one or more of the following skill areas: communication, mobility, learning, social, emotional, and adaptive/self-help. If the evaluation shows that your child is eligible because of a developmental delay or established risk condition, (particular medical condition) then the POE will work with you and your child to arrange the necessary services.
What to consider with Early Intervention?
- Is my child not meeting developmental milestones for their age?
- Am I concerned about my child’s speech, language, or communication development?
- Does my child have difficulty with motor skills like walking, crawling, or using their hands?
- Has my child been diagnosed with a medical condition that may affect development?
- Is my child struggling with social interaction or play skills with other children?
- Do I have concerns about my child’s behavior, feeding, or daily routines?
- Would my family benefit from support and resources during my child’s early years?
These questions reflect the key areas that First Steps addresses (birth to age 3, developmental delays, communication, motor skills, medical conditions) while using parent-friendly language that helps families identify when early intervention might be beneficial.
What are my Rights as a KEIS Family?
You have specific rights under the First Steps Program. The Family Rights Handbook fully explains each of your rights and how to exercise them. As a First Steps family, you have the right to:
- Choose the services you want for your child based on the evaluation.
- Give written permission to share your child’s personal information.
- Review all records.
- Receive a written notice before a change is made in your child’s IFSP.
- Have any complaints heard through a process explained in the Family Rights Handbook.
What Happens As My Child Approaches His/Her Third Birthday?
Children in the First Steps Program are eligible for services until their third birthday. In order to help you learn about and decide on available services for your child after leaving First Steps, a Transition Planning Meeting must be held at least 90 days prior to your child’s third birthday. This transition Planning Meeting will be coordinated by your Primary Service Coordinator. The meeting may be attended by you, your Primary Service Coordinator, your child’s service providers and invited staff from any of the program(s) in your community for three to five year olds that you and your Service Coordinator identify as appropriate, such as Head Start, the local school district, etc. This meeting will provide important information about those programs and outline how to pursue getting your child enrolled in the program of your choice.
**This information was found on the First Steps website. For more information, please visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/firstSteps/
