Research and demonstration projects being conducted in the State relating to infants and toddlers with disabilities.
The Autism Program (TAP)
University of Illinois
904 West Nevada Ave., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-1395
The TAP Service Network is the largest comprehensive statewide provider of autism services in the country. A collaboration of 17 agencies operate 19 centers across the state to provide services to children, families, educators, day care providers, and medical professionals.
Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy
Illinois State University
DeGarmo Hall 310, Normal, IL 61790
(309) 438-5433
The Center for Reading and Literacy is a forum developed by the faculty of Illinois State University. It shares literacy research and collaborates with those on campus, the community, other schools, and all Illinois residents. Research topics include children’s literature, reading difficulties, English language learning/bilingual literacies, and assessment. The Center for Reading and Literacy also provides consulting services for parents and children as well.
Early Mathematics Education Project
Erikson Institute
451 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 755-2250
The Early Mathematics Education Project was founded to develop teachers who know how to recognize foundational mathematical thinking —even in the scribbles of a preschoolers—and build upon it. The project studies how foundational mathematics knowledge develops among young children as well as what math teaching practices are most effective and what professional development practices are most effective in helping teachers improve their math teaching.
McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
National Louis University
6200 Capitol Dr., Wheeling, IL 60090
(800) 443-5522, ext. 5233
The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership consists of different studies and findings conducted by the center ’s faculty. There are multiple research studies on various topics, and the purpose of these studies is to build and enhance knowledge on important workforce and professional developmental issues within early childhood and education. Through this research, it hopes to provide data to policy makers and those involved in early childhood to make informed decisions about early childhood policies and practices.
Trauma-Informed Education
University of Illinois
1310 S 6th Street, Champaign, IL 61820
gradservices@education.illinois.edu
(217) 333-0960
The Trauma-Informed Education (TIE) graduate certificate is a 12-14 credit hour non-degree program that is designed to prepare students to identify and implement trauma-informed practices in education settings. Students who complete the certificate can apply course credits from the graduate certificate to a master’s or doctorate program upon admission to those programs.
Family Matters
1901 S. 4th St., Ste. 209, Effingham, Illinois 62401
1-866-4FMPTIC (1-866-436-7842)
Family Matters is a Parent Training and Information Center that serves the entire state of Illinois. Family Matters provides information, referral, linkages, and training to parents, students with disabilities, and special education professionals. The mission of Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center is to build upon families’ strengths, empower parents and professionals to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for students with disabilities, and to enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities.
Hands & Voices Research and Survey Opportunities
Agencies, organizations, universities and others are often looking for participation of families and professionals for current research and survey projects. Each opportunity listed below has contact information if you would like to participate. Please contact the specific entity that is sponsoring each research/survey opportunity if you would like more information. There are many opportunities for birth to three-year-old participants with special needs, and their families.
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Lab at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
(877) 275-7187
familystudy@northwestern.edu
The Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Lab is currently recruiting individuals with autism and their families; individuals with fragile X and their families; carriers of the FMR1 premutation; and individuals without autism or fragile X and their families.
Early Intervention Research Group
Northwestern University
847-491-3183
ei@northwestern.edu
The EIRG’s research is funded by the NIH – National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the Department of Education – Institute of Education Sciences (IES). There are currently four active federally funded research grants.
Northern Illinois University College of Health and Human Services
Northern Illinois University
815-753-1484
The School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders is seeking Latino/a caregivers and infants/toddlers 6 months to 36 months of age and their speech therapists to participate in a satisfaction study of their SLP services.
Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at Discovery Partners Institute – Early Childhood Initiatives
University of Illinois System
IWERC works with community partners in Illinois to research and co-construct solutions to the most pressing issues in the cradle-to-career, education-to-workforce pipeline. Current early childhood projects include Journeys through Illinois Early Childhood Programs and Services, Trends in the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS), and Preschool Development Planning Grant Evaluation.