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This page has information to support families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing between their 2nd and 3rd birthdays.
Your child’s 3rd birthday is an important milestone. It is when First Steps early intervention services end and your local school district will be responsible for your child’s educational needs. This is called transition.
The rules and guidelines for this transition and educational services available at age 3 are focused on your child, rather than your family and child. Services may include a preschool program in early childhood special education, individual therapy services such as speech-language or occupational therapy, and/or community programs.
Indiana's First Steps Program
If you are receiving care through the First Steps program, here are the steps in your child's transition process:
- A transition meeting is set up by your service coordinator when your child is about 30 months old.
- Your child’s transition meeting will have the First Steps service coordinator and early childhood staff from your school district in attendance. You may also invite other family members, First Steps providers, staff from preschool programs you think your child might attend, and/or staff from our Center.
2. An educational evaluation with your school district will happen a few months later, but before your child turns 3 years old.
3. A meeting with your school district to learn about the results of the evaluation and your child’s needs will help you plan for the new program and/or service(s) before your child turns 3.
Not receiving First Steps services? Here are the next steps in your child's transition process:
1. Contact our Center to ask how we can help connect you to your school district, find educational programs or services, and discuss First Steps Early Intervention services to help you through this transition.
- Call 317-232-7349 and choose option #5
- Email cdhhenetwork@health.in.gov
2. Reach out to your local school district to request an educational evaluation to be completed a few months before your child turns 3 years old.
3. Have a meeting with your school district to learn about the results of the evaluation, and your child’s needs to help you plan for the new program and/or service(s) before your child turns 3 years old.
Additional Resources
For more information, check out this booklet highlighting the process of transitioning out of the First Steps Program and into a new program or service. Additionally, utilize this document on early childhood services when reviewing optional support and service options during your transition.
Please contact us if you have further questions about services or resources to serve your child. Call 317-232-7349 (option #5) or email cdhhenetwork@health.in.gov
