Subject: Update on First Steps services
Source: Beth Loethen, Coordinator, First Steps Program
Intended Audience: First Steps providers
Date: April 27, 2020
During this unprecedented public health emergency, First Steps continues to
prioritize the health and well-being of the entire First Steps community,
including children, families, contractors and service providers, all while
ensuring continuity of services to the greatest extent possible.
First Steps is cautiously optimistic that the measures taken thus far are
supporting the initiative to flatten the curve. Therefore, in the best
interests of the First Steps community, the suspension of face-to-face services
and meetings will continue through May 31, 2020. First Steps is currently
developing a phase-in approach to restarting face-to-face services and
meetings. First Steps will share those plans in the coming weeks.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Update on First Steps SPOE Office Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the current Stay Home Orders throughout the St. Louis Area and the entire state, we wanted to make sure that everyone is aware that we are still open for new referrals and that we have taken steps to maintain safety for families, staff, and providers.
Our main office is still open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm with very minimal staffing right now to insure social distancing. We are only accepting visitors (picking up AT, DAYC Packets, filing, visiting Resource Room, etc) between the hours of 10a-12p and we ask that you try to call ahead so we can know who to expect in the office. If you are ill or have any symptoms, please do not come to the office - stay home.
The office door remains locked at this time so please knock to let us know when you have arrived. Upon entry, we require everyone to go directly to the kitchen to wash their hands, and then sign in at the front desk. We ask that you keep your visit to no more than 15-20 minutes.
Referrals can be made by calling our main line at (314) 453-9203, by fax at (314) 453-0802, or online at www.mofirststeps.com .
Our main office is still open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm with very minimal staffing right now to insure social distancing. We are only accepting visitors (picking up AT, DAYC Packets, filing, visiting Resource Room, etc) between the hours of 10a-12p and we ask that you try to call ahead so we can know who to expect in the office. If you are ill or have any symptoms, please do not come to the office - stay home.
The office door remains locked at this time so please knock to let us know when you have arrived. Upon entry, we require everyone to go directly to the kitchen to wash their hands, and then sign in at the front desk. We ask that you keep your visit to no more than 15-20 minutes.
Referrals can be made by calling our main line at (314) 453-9203, by fax at (314) 453-0802, or online at www.mofirststeps.com .
Friday, April 3, 2020
Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
To: Missouri First Steps SPOE Directors,
Service Coordinators and Providers
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Program Coordinator
Re: Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
Date: April 2, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold in Missouri, First Steps is committed to the safety and health of all those involved in our early intervention program.
On March 18, 2020, Missouri First Steps suspended all face-to-face meetings and services. This suspension will remain in effect until April 30, 2020. This suspension includes intake and direct service visits, Individual Family Service Plan and Early Intervention Team meetings.
Please review the updated guidance available on our First Steps https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. This guidance outlines several temporary policies allowing SPOE Directors, Service Coordinators and Providers to utilize alternate and virtual methods for referral, intake, evaluation, assessment, meetings and service delivery. These temporary policies are intended to allow for some continuity of services and communication between First Steps families and their Early Intervention Team, as well as, respecting the health of all involved.
This guidance also accompanies the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs guidance on ensuring the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This document may also be found on the DESE webpage.
From: Beth Loethen, First Steps Program Coordinator
Re: Updated COVID-19 Temporary Guidance for Face-to-Face Visits and Meetings
Date: April 2, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold in Missouri, First Steps is committed to the safety and health of all those involved in our early intervention program.
On March 18, 2020, Missouri First Steps suspended all face-to-face meetings and services. This suspension will remain in effect until April 30, 2020. This suspension includes intake and direct service visits, Individual Family Service Plan and Early Intervention Team meetings.
Please review the updated guidance available on our First Steps https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/first-steps. This guidance outlines several temporary policies allowing SPOE Directors, Service Coordinators and Providers to utilize alternate and virtual methods for referral, intake, evaluation, assessment, meetings and service delivery. These temporary policies are intended to allow for some continuity of services and communication between First Steps families and their Early Intervention Team, as well as, respecting the health of all involved.
This guidance also accompanies the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs guidance on ensuring the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This document may also be found on the DESE webpage.
We will be hosting a series of Zoom meetings for providers and Service Coordinators to address any questions there may be surrounding this guidance:
Reg 1:
Reg 1:
- Region 1- 9:00am Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
- Region 1- 12:00pm Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
- Region 1- 3:00pm Zoom Mtg 4/6/2020
Reg 2:
- 11am (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/821556250)Meeting ID: 821 556 250
- 12:30pm (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/915438730?pwd=a3VodSt4RGMzODBUZUhralR5T1ZyZz09)Meeting ID: 915 438 730Password: 020600
- 2:00pm (https://us04web.zoom.us/j/326165643?pwd=ZDZqWHZhSWFNaFdhdFlVQ0xRYTNWZz09)Meeting ID: 326 165 643Password: 594327
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