Community Resource

Agency Name: First Steps

Agency address and contact info: Kansas City SPOE, Jefferson State Office Building, Civil Rights Compliance, 5th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Phone: 573-526-4757

Summary of services:

• Assistive technology devices.

• Assistive technology services.

• Audiology.

• Family training, counseling and home visits.

• Health services.

• Medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only.

• Nursing services.

• Occupational therapy.

• Physical therapy.

• Psychological services.

• Service coordination.

• Social work.

• Speech instruction/speech language pathology.

• Vision services.

• Cost of and related to transportation.

For whom the services are appropriate and eligibility criteria: Child must have a diagnosis of a physical or mental condition associated with developmental disabilities or has a high probability of being diagnosed with a developmental disability or delay. These include conditions diagnosed at or within thirty days after birth, such as low birth weight, ventilator dependent for 72 + hours, Apgar of 6 or less at 5 minutes. Other conditions include ones diagnosed at infant/toddler stage such as Trisomy 21, cerebral palsy and Spina Bifida.

Cost: Between $5 and $100 monthly, depending on what the family’s fixed income is. For this fee obligation to be triggered, a family must make 200% or more over the poverty line. The charge is wavered to families who receive Medicaid. The state decided it could not sustain the services administered with solely federal and state funding. At the beginning of 2006, families were required to pay a fee, unless they receive Medicaid. Ultimately, the most any family will pay is $100 a month.

Additional Fact(s):

1. SPOE stands for System Point of Entry. SPOES are divided into ten regions across the state of Missouri.

2. A First Steps employee who meets with the family and...