By Dr. Meghan Burke
We hope you and your family are doing well. At the Early Intervention Clearinghouse, we plan to provide timely updates about early intervention in Illinois during COVID-19. As our first update, we want to provide a brief summary of resources and guidance about early intervention.
- Live video visits (i.e., telehealth) can be used to provide early intervention services. You should be contacted by your service coordinator to determine if you are interested in live video visits. This is entirely your choice. Also, you can change your mind at any time. If you decide not to have live video visits, you may choose phone consultations or you may wait to receive early intervention services.
- If you need technology (e.g., devices, Internet service) to access live video visits, you should consider:
- Within this document, you will find resources to secure technology and Internet access: http://www.wiu.edu/coehs/provider_connections/pdf/20200406livevideovisits.pdf
- The Early Intervention Clearinghouse is loaning technology (i.e., iPads with data plans, iPads with Wi-Fi ability, and hotspots) to families for free: https://eiclearinghouse.org/resources/techloan/
- To date, there are many resources about early intervention during COVID-19. Here are some links you may be interested in:
- Tip sheets about live video visits: https://eiclearinghouse.org/public-awareness/trying-times/
- Formal guidance from the Bureau of Early Intervention: http://www.wiu.edu/coehs/provider_connections/bureau/covid_info/index.php
- Frequently asked questions about early intervention during COVID-19: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Documents/EI%20FAQs%20for%20Families%20about%20Live%20Video%20Visits.pdf
- To understand family concerns about early intervention, please consider completing this short (less than 10 minute) survey about your experience. Your insights will help inform changes to early intervention service delivery. Here is a link to the survey:
- Survey for families: https://is.gd/ILEIFamilies
(Survey for families in Spanish: https://is.gd/ILEIFamilia)
- Survey for families: https://is.gd/ILEIFamilies
As Illinois enters Phase 4 of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois, there is a workgroup comprised of relevant stakeholders (including families and providers) to draft a plan for resuming in-person early intervention services while adhering to safety guidelines in the very near future. While most in-person early intervention services in your home or childcare are currently not allowed, you can receive early intervention services via live video visits or phone consultations. In the plan for resuming in-person, early intervention services, live video visits and phone consultations will continue to be an option for you to receive early intervention.
We will continue to update you about the plan for resuming in-person, early intervention services. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Meghan Burke (meghanbm@illinois.edu).
Thank you.