Assessment
Each eligible child receives an individual assessment, with parents and other relatives providing input. Led by an assigned service coordinator, a team works with the family to develop an individualized family service plan (IFSP) to provide appropriate services to the child and family using professional resources within the community. You can arrange for an assessment by contacting your local Mississippi Department of Health office.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
An IFSP is written plan for providing early intervention services to an eligible child and the child's family that builds on the results of our assessment.

• Public Awareness
  Natural environments, order form for awareness materials
• Referral Form
• Procedural Safeguards and Advocacy
  Family Rights notice, complaint form, complaint process, resources
• How to Apply for Mississippi Early Intervention Unit Approval
  Application packet for trainers and sponsors

• State Plans and Performance Reports

• Early Intervention Resource Library
  A learning resource for child & adolescent development
• Natural Environments for Child Development
  Why children develop best in familiar family settings

• National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
• United States Department of Education/Office of Special Education
• Regional Resource Federal Network Center
• Early Childhood Outcomes Center
• Orelena Hawks Puckett Institute
• Research and Training Center on Early Childhood Development
• PACER Center, Champions for Children with Disabilities
• Research and Training Center on Early Childhood Development
• Council for Exceptional Children/Division for Early Childhood
• The National Early Childhood Transition Initiative

• Power of the Ordinary
• Coaching in Early Childhood
• Therapists as Collaborative Team members for Infant/Toddler Community Services
• Circle of Inclusion

To learn more about First Steps and to find out whether you are eligible, contact your local health office, or call  (601) 576-7427 in the Jackson area, or call toll-free 1-800-451-3903.

To contact a district coordinator, see our list of Early Intervention District Coordinators.