1. Exceptional Lives
  2. Louisiana Guides
  3. How to Get Started with EarlySteps
  4. Your legal rights and the complaint process

Know your rights

When your family gets EarlySteps services, you have legal rights that protect your interests.

These rights are specified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

  • The LDH is responsible for upholding them.

  • You will get information that explains your rights and what to do if you have a complaint.

Make sure you understand the rules about things like: 

  • timelines and procedures as you go through the process

  • giving permission for each part, like the evaluation and the services

  • privacy of your medical and other records

  • filing complaints

Image of Exceptional Lives Parent Character Paula on the phone
Call your Family Service Coordinator with any questions about your EarlySteps services!

 

Image showing the process and wait time for an Individual Family Service Plan or IFSP with the text 'After you call or get a referral to EarlySteps, they have 45 days to create the IFSP with you. When the IFSP is done, they have 30 days to start the services. 75 days total.'

Source: LDH, OCDD

 

Click on the link at the bottom of the page to download the 14-page Family Rights handbook. It describes your rights in detail.

 

Sources: LDH, The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center