A Step Ahead In Pierce Co

Results: ASAPC serves approx. 700 annually and have been operating since 2001.

Target demographics: To help children birth to three years of age with developmental delay or disability.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 653 babies and toddlers

Geographic areas served: South Central Puget Sound

Programs: For 19 years, ASAPC has served ages birth to three with developmental delays or disabilities. Developmental delays often manifest in various ways; a delay identified at birth by a genetic disability; a delay as milestones falls short; a traumatic event, such as a prenatal drug exposure. The multi-disciplinary team is comprised of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists; Special Educators; Social Workers, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists; and Family Resource Coordinators. The ASAPC team of specialists customize plan to provide convenient, home-based therapy and educational services, including speech, physical and occupational therapies, and special education depending on the child’s needs. More often than ever with the substance abuse crisis, we are serving babies that have been in utero drug exposure at birth and children who have been subjected to horrible traumatic abuse and removed from their home. Our team of specialists customize a plan, as each child is unique and faces their own set of challenges. The ASAPC team of specialists customize plan to provide convenient, home-based therapy and educational services, including speech, physical and occupational therapies, and special education depending on the child’s needs. In 2020, 82% of children achieved or made significant progress in their development goals. 36% of infants and toddlers who received Early Intervention services, did not later present with a disability or delay that required special education in preschool. This creates a tremendous cost savings to society and is a testament to the efficacy of our work. Despite the scope of the delay, A Step Ahead is compassionately committed to improving the development of all infants and toddlers in South Pierce County from birth to three. Each family receives the maximum services their child needs regardless of their ability to pay. Our multi-disciplinary team is comprised of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists; Special Educators; Social Workers, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists; and Family Resource Coordinators. Did you know, according to a recent study on early education as an economic investment, shows that every $1 spent on early-intervention services saves $17 to society in future cost? That equals out to thousands of saved dollars just in one generation! Furthermore, many of our services are reimbursed by Federal, State, and local dollars, however, insurance reimbursements cover only 26% of billed services Additionally, over 55% of our families are on public insurance which pays a fraction of the true cost. Families with private insurance often need financial assistance as they struggle to meet their high co-pays and deductibles. 100% of the Foster Care children we serve are low-income. In addition to our core services, A Step Ahead is the only agency in the region to offer specialized early intervention care to any infant or toddler in foster care. Our BOOST program does not require children to have a developmental delay but is there to help support both the child and foster parent in the difficult transition out of traumatic abuse and into safety. This program is entirely dependent on generous donations and grants. 100% of the Foster Care children we serve are low-income. To help with all these unrecovered costs, the CARES Fund was established. This fund helps to cover the costs of uncompensated care, so every child receives necessary therapeutic support they need. Donations from this fund include other wrap-around services, such as our community-based field trips and play groups; as well as therapy and teaching supplies.