Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Early Steps Faces Service Challenges; Has Not Used All Available Federal Funds

Report 06-14, February 2006




Report Summary

  • The Early Steps Program served a decreased number of children in Fiscal Year 2004-05 and a smaller percentage of the birth to three population. Also, due to federal requirements, the program is shifting to providing services in the "natural environment." Some providers are choosing not to participate in the program because it can be costly to provide services in this way. These factors may affect the availability of services throughout the state. The program is also exploring tightening its eligibility requirements, which would affect both providers and the number of children served.
  • Although local program offices have reported funding shortfalls, the program has not used its full federal grant allocation. The program also has not fully analyzed the option of requiring families to pay some costs through a sliding co-payment scale or annual fee schedule, which some states use to increase available resources.
  • The program needs to revise its contracts with local offices to ensure that they provide adequate oversight of their providers. Also, while the program could be moved to another agency, such a transfer would not provide clear benefits.


Related Reports
  1. Early Steps Has Revised Reimbursement Rates But Needs to Assess Impact of Expanded Outreach on Child Participation
    Report 08-44 July 2008
  2. Progress Report: Children's Medical Services Working to Expand Privatization and Reduce Administrative Inefficiencies
    Report 04-35 May 2004
  3. Children's Medical Services Privatization Is Feasible; Could Save Over $18 Million, But Barriers Must Be Overcome
    Report 02-04 January 2002
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, health, human services, individuals with disabilities education act, IDEA, special education programs, early intervention,developmental delays, developmental disabilities, autism, natural environments, early steps, therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, infant toddler developmental specialist, infant, toddler, birth to three, 0-3