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Early Intervention

Ensure equitable access to Early Intervention services, supports that can make a lifelong difference.

Services provided under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), also known as Early Intervention (EI), are critical for infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for significant developmental delays or disabilities. Across Illinois, there is a clear lack of awareness of Early Intervention (EI) services available to families and the criteria for who can access these services, even among early childhood and health care providers. The expected prevalence rate for EI eligibility is 13%, yet Illinois only serves approximately 5% of children under age 3 and, even more alarming, only about 1% of babies under age one. Too many children found eligible and entitled to receive services are not able to get those services in a timely manner, in no small part due to our state’s EI workforce crisis.

Take Action for Early Intervention

Our Goal

Deliver timely and high-quality Early Intervention services to all eligible infants, toddlers, and their families.

Objectives

Preserve and increase state and federal funding to improve Early Intervention (EI) service delivery by identifying eligible children in a timely manner and reducing waiting lists, with particular attention to disparities in family access and participation.

Facilitate awareness, connections, and referrals for both families and providers across other PN3-serving systems, including early childhood education and care, home visiting, maternal and child health, and child welfare.

Promote the use of safeguards, protections, and dispute resolution methods to empower families and support timely EI service delivery.

Recruit and retain a qualified, culturally responsive, representative, and adequately compensated EI workforce.

“Many children are waiting for [Early Intervention] services for a long time and may age out of EI having never received the services. Medical providers have stopped referring to EI due to these problems, but this further exacerbates problems because children with private insurance then go to private providers who don't take Medicaid, and it furthers the inequities in the system and providers leaving EI due to poor reimbursement. This is a statewide problem.”

-Raising Illinois Coalition Member

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Resources for Families

Are you waiting for EI services to begin? Find helpful resources below:

Know your rights! If your baby qualifies for Early Intervention you are legally entitled to services. Review the timeline for a callback, evaluation and the start of services.
If you have not received a callback or evaluation, or if you've been evaluated but services have not begun, you can file a complaint through your local Child and Family Connections office.
- Guidance for Families
- Guidance for Providers
- Guía en Español
- Need help filing your complaint? Schedule an appointment with Equip for Equality for extra support.