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Program Performance & Accountability

Annually, the Early Steps Program is required to report on various aspects related to section 618, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The reporting of this information pertains to infants and toddlers with disabilities (IDEA) and is organized into the following categories: 

  • Reasons for exit from Part C program categorized by race, ethnicity, gender, and reason for exit
  • Due process complaints, mediation requests, written and/or signed complaints

Idea Part C-618 Exiting Data (SFY 2020-2021)

Idea Part C-618 Dispute Resolution (SFY 2020-2021)

The Early Steps Program is required to develop a state plan annually, in accordance with Section 391.308(2)(c), Florida Statutes, that:

  • Assesses the need for early intervention services
  • Evaluates the extent of the statewide need that is met by the program
  • Identifies barriers to fully meeting the need
  • Recommends specific action steps to improve program performance

2020 – 2021 Early Steps State Plan

Click on the following link to review the most current annual report assessing the performance of the Early Steps Program submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, as required by section 391.308(5), Florida Statutes.

2020 - 2021 Early Steps Program Annual Report  PDF

Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004 requires that all participating states have a performance plan in place that evaluates efforts to implement IDEA and shows how the state will improve performance. The State Performance Plan is developed with broad stakeholder input.

States must report annually on the state's performance towards the targets established in the State Performance Plan through a State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR). Click on the link below to view Florida's FFY 2019-2020 State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report.

Part C State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report  PDF Submitted February 2022

In accordance with federal reporting requirements identified by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), states must report annually to the public in meeting select targets set in the State Performance Plan (SPP). Local Early Steps are monitored to determine their performance with these targets identified in the SPP. Click on the link below to view state and Local Early Steps performance reports.

Florida's Statewide and Local Early Steps Reports
Bay Area Big Bend Central Florida
Gold Coast Gulf Central North Beaches
North Central North Dade Northeastern
Southernmost Coast Southwest Florida Space Coast
Treasure Coast West Central Western Panhandle

Florida's Statewide and Local Early Steps Graphs
Indicator 1 Graph Indicator 7 Graph Indicator 8A Graph
Indicator 8B Graph Indicator 8C Graph

For more information on each indicator, view the Indicator Descriptions.

Florida has been determined by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to be in "Needs Assistance" in meeting the requirements of IDEA, Part C , for 2021. This Determination is based on data submitted in the FFY 2019 Annual Performance Report (APR) submitted February 2021, which is posted above. For more information, please read Florida's Determination Letter.

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs’ Results Driven Accountability initiative requires all IDEA Part C programs nationally to develop an SSIP. The state of Florida’s Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) includes the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) listed as Indicator 11.The purpose of the plan is to implement effective, sustainable policies and practices at the Florida Early Steps state and local levels to positively impact social-emotional development for infants and toddlers with disabilities ages 0 to 36 months. Click on the link below to view Early Steps Program State Systemic Improvement Plan, Phase III, Year 5.

Early Steps Program State Systemic Improvement Plan, Phase III, Year 5.

SSIP Fact Sheet

SSIP Video Transcript

Spanish translation of the SSIP Factsheet

SSIP Video Transcript in Spanish