The Early Steps Program serves children with delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional or adaptive development, or who have a diagnosed condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. This comprehensive program, which is supported by state and federal funds, provides multidisciplinary evaluations and interventions to infants and toddlers who are a high risk for, or who are identified as having, developmental disabilities or handicapping conditions.

Over the past three decades, programs for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental problems have become well established in Florida, and are recognized as being critical in assisting these children to achieve their full potential. Without early intervention, large numbers of these infants and toddlers will require extensive and costly special education services at school age. As the lead agency in Broward County for Part C under the federal “Individuals with Disabilities Act,” CDTC facilitates parent education and related services to infants and toddlers during the first three years of life.

Early Steps provides multidisciplinary developmental evaluations, service coordination, intervention services and other family-centered resources to any Broward County child, birth to three years of age, who may be at risk for disabilities or have a significant developmental delay. CDTC contracts with credentialed, community-based providers to ensure appropriate services are rendered.