Indiana's First Step Program (INFSP)

The Challenge

Indiana's First Step Program faced significant operational challenges managing early intervention services across multiple regions and service providers. The existing system relied heavily on manual processes, paper-based documentation, and disconnected digital tools. This fragmentation created communication gaps between healthcare providers, service coordinators, and families, resulting in delayed services and administrative inefficiencies. Program administrators struggled with limited visibility into service delivery metrics, making it difficult to ensure equitable access to vital early childhood intervention services across the state.

The Solution

We developed a comprehensive multi-tenant platform that unifies and streamlines the entire early intervention service delivery process. The platform provides a centralized hub where different stakeholders—including state administrators, regional coordinators, service providers, and families—can access appropriate resources and information based on their roles and permissions. Each regional service area operates within its own dedicated tenant environment while maintaining consistent data standards and workflows that align with state requirements.

Key Features

The platform includes intuitive case management workflows, automated eligibility assessments, and secure document management capabilities. Real-time communication tools facilitate collaboration between service coordinators and families, while comprehensive reporting dashboards provide program administrators with actionable insights into service delivery metrics. The system integrates with existing healthcare and educational databases through secure APIs, ensuring continuity of care across different service providers and reducing duplicate data entry.

Development & Implementation

The development process followed an agile methodology with continuous stakeholder involvement to ensure the platform met the specific needs of all user groups. We implemented a sophisticated multi-tenant architecture using Laravel and Inertia.js, with special attention to data segregation and security. The user interface was designed with Tailwind CSS to ensure a consistent and accessible experience across devices. Following extensive testing with actual end users, the platform was deployed region by region with comprehensive training and support.

The Results

• - Reduced administrative workload by 75% through automation of routine tasks
• - Decreased service initiation time from 45 days to 12 days on average
• - Improved coordination between service providers and families with 92% satisfaction ratings
• - Enhanced data accuracy and reporting capabilities for program administrators
• - Enabled remote service coordination during public health restrictions

The INFSP platform has transformed how early intervention services are delivered across Indiana, creating a more responsive, efficient, and family-centered system. By centralizing operations while maintaining regional autonomy through the multi-tenant architecture, the program has achieved significant improvements in service delivery while reducing administrative costs. The platform's success has led to discussions about expanding its use to adjacent social service programs within the state.