Baby Steps is the Early Intervention (EI) program of the Disabilities Board of Charleston County. Medicaid pays the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) to contract with local providers to provide EI/Special Instruction services. Referrals are made through Babynet, a program of the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). Potential consumers should call BabynNet at 843-792-4373 and request Baby Steps.                                                                                                      

      The Baby Steps office is located at 995 Morrison Drive. The phone number is 843-805-5800. Please feel free to contact a Baby Steps supervisor.

      Early Intervention is a service that guides families in helping their child (birth to six years old) grow and develop to his or her fullest potential. A thorough assessment is completed for each child every six months. The EI assists in developing goals to be included in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Family Services Plan (FSP). Goals are met through family training/special instruction, which is completed at a frequency determined by the IFSP/FSP team

 The parent/legal guardian directs all EI activities. Choice of services and providers is always offered to each family. Families may request a change in their EI at any time by contacting an EI supervisor.     

 If DDSN services are needed, the EI will assist the family through the DDSN eligibility process. For those children who are DDSN eligible the family also has the choice of having an independent facilitator coordinate their IFSP meeting. If a facilitator is not chosen, then the EI coordinates the meeting.

 There are currently eight full time EIs and two full time supervisors.

 EIs are mandated reporters of abuse and neglect. If an EI suspects abuse or neglect, they are required to report it immediately to their supervisor, who in turn follows the Board’s procedure for reporting abuse and neglect.