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.
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.
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.
Early Intervention in the News
- Early Intervention is of National Importance; The Daily Herald
- Focus on Family: Early Intervention Programs; WGN News
- Parents, advocates push for more state funding for Early Intervention services; Chronicle Illinois
- Lack of funding makes some Early Intervention professionals ponder career shifts; Chronicle Illinois
- Moms Lobby for More Early Intervention Funds; Chronicle Illinois
- Budget Increase Falls Significantly Short of Early Intervention Advocates' Goal; Chronicle Illinois
- Early Intervention Service Delays Irritate Pediatrician; Chronicle Illinois
- Illinois’ children and toddlers are experiencing more delays in getting early intervention services; Chalkbeat
- Early intervention program advocates seek more funding to shorten a growing wait list; WCBU/NPR
- Parents of children with development delays see long waiting lists for intervention services, 25 News
- Peoria Community Leaders Advocate for More Support of Early Childhood Education, WCBU
- Why Chronic Staffing Shortages Are Damaging Access to Therapies for Babies with Developmental Delays, Milwaukee Independent
- 'You're talking about a crisis': Illinois Educators Say There's a Severe Lack of Vision Teachers for Kids with Visual Disabilities, Northern Public Radio
- Toddlers with Developmental Delays Are Missing Out On Help They Need. It Can Hurt Them Long Term, AP News
- Black and Latino Infants and Toddlers Often Miss Out on Early Therapies They Need, Hechinger Report
- Why Children of Color Aren't Getting the Physical, Speech Therapy Some Need, USA Today
- Your Turn: Why Increasing Early Intervention Funding is Crucial in Illinois; State Journal-Register
Early Intervention Priorities
Fiscal Year 2026
View our Early Intervention Priorities to learn how our coalition is moving the needle this fiscal year.