Early Support Services Costs & Responsibilities
A Step Ahead in Pierce County (ASAPC) provides early intervention services by utilizing a variety of revenue streams. These include funds from:
Our contract with Pierce County Community Connections
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Your local school district
Insurance Payments
Co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance
Donations and grants
In order to access these funds, your Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) and ASAPC will ask parents to complete the following:
Application to Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) (you will need to re-enroll if your child qualifies for services at age three)
Enrollment in your local school district (you will need to re-enroll if your child qualifies for services at age three)
Signed release(s) to include Pierce County Community Connections, DDA, your local school district as well as to your child’s current providers
Complete and sign Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)’s System of Payment and Fees (SOPAF) Consent to Access Private and/or Public Insurance
Consent to Treat (for therapy evaluation and services only)
If your child has Public Health Insurance such as Medicaid or Molina, you will have no additional costs for services.
If your child has Private Health Insurance, your FRC and our insurance biller will help you determine your level of benefits. Parents will be obligated to pay co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurances as determined by their individual policy. The following exceptions apply:
There are no additional costs for evaluation to determine eligibility for Early Intervention Services.
There is no cost associated with Family Resource Coordination or Special Instruction services
Parents may opt to complete the SOPAF Income/Expense Verification Form to determine if they qualify for financial hardship. If eligible, families will be relieved of payment of the co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurances.
If you do not qualify for Financial Hardship using the above worksheet but need additional assistance, special arrangements may be made with ASAPC for reduced payments. Please reach out to your Family Resources Coordinator (FRC).
A Step Ahead depends on donor support to help fill the gap between our reimbursements and the actual cost of services. Parents have the opportunity to help us in our Fundraising efforts in the following ways:
Agree to have your child’s photos used for promotional materials;
Donate items to our annual auction
Attend fundraisers
Speak or write testimonials
Access your employers for matching donations or auction sponsorships
If you would like to help, please contact the main office for more information (253-471-2727).
STATEMENT OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
All personal information gathered by A Step Ahead in Pierce County is private and ultimately remains confidential.
In order to coordinate services for your child, your teacher and/or therapist will have asked you to complete a release of information form with a list of your other service providers. This will enable us to share valuable information to make your child’s experience a positive one. Before contacting your other providers, the staff at A Step Ahead will get your permission.
A Step Ahead may also use your personal information to provide therapy treatment and to obtain payments from your insurance providers and other third party payors for therapy services provided to your child.
However, there are instances where we may need to share this information without your permission. These cases may include:
1) Pertinent information will be shared among A Step Ahead staff to aid in the development and implementation of your child’s program
2) To law enforcement agencies as required by the Federal, Washington State or local laws.
3) To Child Protective Services in accordance with RCW 26.44.030.
4) To hospital or emergency medical personnel for the purpose of dealing with an emergency.
You may see any information that ASAP has in your child’s record. If you request to inspect or to receive a copy of this record, it will be provided to you. If you think that information in your child’s record is wrong, you may make a written request that we amend or add new information. You have the right to request as a restriction or limitation on the personal information we use or disclose about your child. Your child’s personal record remains the physical property of ASAP.
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, or if you disagree with a a decision we made about a request, you may file a written complaint with:
A Step Ahead in Pierce County
10324 Canyon Rd E, Ste 203
Puyallup, WA 98373
If you have questions and/or would like additional information; you may contact the Executive Director, Lindsey Hartman, at (253) 471.2727