Watch the video above to learn more about Florida's Department of Health Early Steps Program
Early Steps is Florida's early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with significant developmental delays, disabilities, and at-risk conditions. We provide a variety of early intervention services to help families build on their child’s individual strengths and provide support to meet each child’s unique needs.
Each child grows at an individual pace, but research shows that a child's first three years are the most important for learning. Getting help early puts your child on the right path to reach their full learning and development potential.
Early intervention services are provided where your child lives, learns, and plays so developmentally appropriate learning opportunities can be incorporated into everyday activities and routines. There is no income requirement to qualify for Early Steps. Services are individualized and based on the needs of your child and family. Most services are provided in your home at no cost to your family.
Early Steps clinical locations
The University of South Florida Bay Area Early Steps Program holds the Children’s Medical Services Early Steps contract for the Bay Area, which covers Hillsborough and Polk Counties.
To schedule an appointment and/or inquire about our services, you can reach us at (813) 974-0602 or (866) 549-1740.
For your convenience, we now offer two ways of making a referral.
You can either:
1. Complete our online referral form here,
or
2. Download this form, fill it out, and fax it to: (813) 558-1343
Please visit the links below to access our forms and resources.
Services we provide (English)
Services we provide (Spanish)
Milestone development guide
Qualifying Established Conditions
Visit our state website to learn more about the program.
