Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. 
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Get Support through the Early Intervention Process
Early intervention, which falls under Part C of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life.

First Steps is Missouri's Early Intervention system that provides services to families with children, birth to three years of age, with disabilities or developmental delays. The program is designed to meet the needs of families related to enhancing their child's development, learning, and participation in family and community life.

Requesting and managing early intervention services for your child can be overwhelming and difficult, especially since this early in a child's life, parents are already struggling with lack of sleep, change in family dynamics, and other challenges that come with having an infant or toddler. If you feel lost, confused, overwhelmed, frustrated, or just need to be reassured that you are on the right track, please contact MPACT.

First Steps General Information Brochure
First Steps Fact Sheets

Elizabeth Fox, Program Coordinator Ages Birth through 13
Elizabeth Fox, Program Coordinator for Missouri Parents Act,  focuses in part on early intervention support and services. Elizabeth has always had a passion for helping children with disabilities and has personal experience with the First Steps program.

Her youngest child was served by First Steps from 3 months of age until he transitioned to the Early Childhood program in her school district. Her son received at-home intervention services that included physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Now 10 years old, her son thrived in the program and Elizabeth credits the program and therapists for helping him reach milestones and goals. Today Elizabeth oversees the First Steps portion of our program, along with elementary education.     

You can find out more about Missouri's Early Intervention program by attending MPACT's free workshops and also by accessing additional First Steps resources located on the Missouri Parents Act website and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
First Steps Parent Testimonials

Do you have a story to share to inspire other families who are new to the First Steps program?

Has the First Steps program positively impacted your child in some way? If we can share your testimonial with others via our website or on social media, please contact us at  info@missouriparentsact.org.

You can read stories shared by other families here.
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Free Steps to Success Trainings
Missouri Parents Act offers Steps to Success trainings that will help families to understand the First Steps early intervention program, teach them effective communication and advocacy skills, and help them to prepare for Early Childhood Special Education. Both the online and in-person trainings were updated in May 2018.

In-person workshops are extremely beneficial because they allow you to connect with other parents and professionals as well as provide an opportunity to ask specific questions. However, if you are unable to attend an in-person training, you can view MPACT's recently updated online trainings at your convenience.
Steps to Success Workshop Schedule
Kansas City Missouri Region

Parental Rights
September 3 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
8900 Northeast Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
 
Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
September 3 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
8900 Northeast Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
 
Understanding the IFSP
January 28, 2019 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Kansas City Public Library: North-East Branch
6000 Wilson Ave
Kansas City, MO 64123
 
Family Record Keeping
January 28, 2019 @ 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Kansas City Public Library: North-East Branch
6000 Wilson Ave
Kansas City, MO 64123
 
Central Missouri Region

Effectively Communicating your Child's Needs
August 2 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Pathways Community Health Building
Bennett Springs Meeting Room
860 Lynn St
Lebanon, MO 65536
August 24 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Osage Beach Public Library
1064 Gutridge Ln
Osage Beach, MO 65065
 
St. Louis Missouri Region

IDEA Part C to Part B
July 14 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Ferguson Municipal Public Library
35 North Florissant Rd 
Ferguson, MO 63135
 
Special Education Law
July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
MPACT State Office
7421 Mexico Rd
Suite 200 
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
IDEA Part C to B
September 18 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Scenic Regional Library: Union Branch
308 Hawthorne Dr
Union, MO 63084
 
IDEA Part C to B
September 18 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Scenic Regional Library: Union Branch
308 Hawthorne Dr
Union, MO 63084
 
Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
October 10 @ 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Charles City-County Library District: Spencer Road Branch
427 Spencer Rd
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
IDEA Part C to Part B
February 6, 2019 @ 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Charles City-County Library District: Spencer Road Branch
427 Spencer Rd
St. Peters, MO 63376

Southwest Missouri Region

Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
August 21 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Abilities First
1370 Primrose St
Springfield, MO 65804
 
Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
August 22 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Community Support Services
2312 Annie Baxter
Joplin, MO 64804
 
Southeast Missouri Region
 
IDEA Part C to Part B
July 25 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Farmington Public Library
101 North A St 
Farmington, MO 63640
* Up-to-date training information is available on our  website .
MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2018 MPACT. All rights reserved.
Missouri Parents Act | 800-743-7634 | 
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