Tallahassee, Fla. – As advocates gather to promote the health, safety and well-being of Florida’s youth during Children’s Week (April 11-17) at the State Capitol, the future of Early Steps – a program that provides early intervention services to children birth to 36 months who have or are at risk for developmental delays – remains in jeopardy.

 

Florida needs $4.2 million in the 2010-11 fiscal year to continue forward with this program. So far, the House has allocated $3.6 million it its proposed Early Steps budget and the Senate has not designated any additional funds at this time. These differences will soon be reconciled during budget conference meetings.

 

Early Steps is designed to help children with targeted conditions develop to their full potential by achieving specific developmental milestones. These milestones are deemed essential to infants’ and toddlers’ abilities to learn, speak and move at critical periods. Last year, Early Steps served 41,940 children.

 

“We all know this a difficult year for our state and everyone needs money,” Dr. Susan Gold, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) chair, said. “But there are certain things we must find funding for, and Early Steps is one of them. Research shows that children’s health and functioning are most significantly impacted in the early years. If we neglect to help young children with developmental delays now, they are much more likely to depend later in life on both caretakers and health care services, which ultimately are more expensive than a funded program like Early Steps.”

 

Early Steps is administered by Children’s Medical Services (CMS) in accordance with the individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part C.

 

FDDC is a non-profit organization charged with advocating and promoting meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities. For more information, visit www.fddc.org or call 1-800-580-7801.

 

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