Take Action For Early Intervention
Our Babies Can't Wait!
Illinois' Early Intervention (EI) program provides critical services to children under age 3 who have or are at risk for significant developmental delays and disabilities. This February, Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal included only $6 million in increased funds in FY25 for EI. However, this is not nearly enough to ensure equitable access to the life-changing developmental services and supports that EI provides.
Thousands of families are still waiting for the EI services to which they are legally entitled. Service delays are tied directly to the program’s ongoing workforce crisis. Despite the long-overdue funding increase this fiscal year, EI providers continue to leave the program because the math doesn’t add up. Last year’s Smart Start investment in EI was only the first step.
Join Raising Illinois in calling for the General Assembly to approve a $40 million increase for Early Intervention in the final FY25 state budget. Share your EI story with legislators, take action if your family is waiting for services, learn more ways to advocate and read about our EI crisis in the news. Our babies can't wait.
Hear Firsthand the Struggles Faced by EI Providers and Families
Watch the full video below:
Early Intervention in the News
- Focus on Family: Early Intervention Programs; WGN News
- Parents, advocates push for more state funding for Early Intervention services; 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
More Ways to Advocate for Early Intervention
Check out more ways to advocate for increased funding for Early Intervention in the final FY25 state budget!
- Contact your legislators and share your support for additional funds for EI in the FY25 budget.
- Watch a Facebook Live conversation (recorded March 21) co-hosted with the IL Division of Early Childhood (DEC).
- Join us on April 16 in Springfield for Early Childhood Advocacy Day & speak with your legislators directly.
- Check our Action Center for more opportunities to take action!
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.
- Review our Early Intervention Legislative Fact Sheet.
- 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.
- Need help filing your complaint? Schedule an appointment with Equip for Equality for extra support.
Share Your Story
Let your legislators know the impact Early Intervention has had on your family!
By filling out the form below, you consent to allow Raising Illinois the use of any photos submitted on the Raising Illinois website, Raising Illinois social media channels, and in our Spring 2024 advocacy efforts with legislators; and to be added to the Raising Illinois mailing list.
Our Priority: Optimized Early Intervention
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. Raising Illinois is committed to ensuring equitable access to EI services and supports that can make a lifelong difference.
