ENROLLMENT PROCESS & TIMELINE
Your child has been referred to A Step Ahead to determine if they qualify for early support services. Below is a description of the eligibility and enrollment process for ESIT services provided by A Step Ahead in Pierce County. Please reach out to your Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) with any questions.
Referral (Initial Contact)
ASAPC can provide services, notices and IFSP documents in your native language or preferred language as indicated by the caregiver.
An Enrollment Coordinator will connect with referred families via phone to provide program information including an introduction to your Parent Rights. If your family is interested in participating in our voluntary early support services, patient/caregiver information and medical insurance will be collected to start your enrollment. Your next two appointments will be scheduled during this time: Intake and Evaluation. Caregivers can expect to view and sign required forms including consents and releases for enrollment via DocuSign.
Intake (First Appointment)
Information shared with your FRC, and other service providers is confidential. Our team would only share pertinent information in case of emergency or mandated report as required as public servants.
Your FRC continues the enrollment process by gathering medical, developmental and family background information as well as your priorities and concerns. At this meeting, your first medical billing forms will be completed in connection with the ESIT SOPAF Policy requirement. Subsequent SOPAF policy related forms will be completed at each IFSP or whenever there is a change affecting insurance coverage, ability to pay calculation, and/or hardship exemption determination.
Evaluation (Second Appointment)
ASAPC will partner with you to complete the Intake, Evaluation and, if eligible, IFSP within 45 days from referral date.
At the evaluation, a team of professionals will evaluate your child’s current functioning across all areas of development.
Cognitive: Learning, thinking, playing, problem solving
Expressive and Receptive Communication: Understanding what others say; expressing thoughts in gestures, sounds, words
Fine and Gross Motor: Coordinating movements; manipulating toys, sitting, crawling, walking
Social and Emotional: Getting along w/others, self-soothing, participating in routines
Adaptive: Calming, feeding, sensory, sleeping, dressing
At the end of the evaluation, we will discuss your child’s eligibility for early support services.
ESIT defined eligibility:
Children are eligible if they show a 25% delay or a standard deviation of -1.5 or less in one or more areas of development
Some children are eligible because they have a diagnosis that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay.
Occasionally, children are eligible via informed clinical opinion when assessment tools do not fully or cannot capture an area of concern with development.
If your child is not eligible, suggestions and community referrals will be provided.
Your FRC will coordinate and schedule follow-up meetings around this time as necessary.
Results Meeting and Enrollment (Third Appointment)
Caregivers are the primary and final decision makers for their child with ability to accept or decline any or all services at any time.
At this meeting, we will share the results of the evaluation and discuss program eligibility. If you choose to enroll, the team including caregiver(s) will develop goals/outcomes you hope your child will achieve in the coming year. From this information, we will determine which therapy and/or educational services will best help you reach those goals. All this information will be put together to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Services
Once the IFSP is finalized with your signature, services for your child will begin within 30 days.
Early Support is a family centered program, and we want you to be an active participant in your child’s services.
Services are determined following the drafting of IFSP outcomes, and might include: physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, development services, etc.
Therapists and educators provide family members with strategies and activities to do during your child’s daily routines primarily through Parent Coaching. They will also share information about child development and support you as your child’s primary teacher.
Transition activities at age three or earlier will support what’s next in your family’s journey. With your consent, one option for your child might be transitioning to IDEA Part B services through your local school district. Learn more about the transition steps here.
Find additional information and resources through Washington State’s Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) family website.
If you ever disagree with decisions or services, families may contact their IFSP team, ASAPC executive director, Pierce County Human Services ESIT, or file a Dispute Resolution.