By Dr. Meghan Burke
We hope you and your family are doing well. This is an update from the Early Intervention Clearinghouse about Early Intervention (EI) during COVID-19.
- As of June 2021, there is updated guidance from the Bureau of Early Intervention. These changes begin immediately. Specifically,
- The EI team (i.e., the family and the EI providers) should discuss service delivery options and potential risk factors with the family and EI provider to determine how EI services will be delivered.
- It is recommended that fully vaccinated EI providers support families requesting in-person services.
- There are no longer any limits on the number of families that can be seen in-person by an EI provider.
- If the family agrees, there can be more than one EI provider in the home during in-person visits.
- The family and EI providers should continue to wear masks during indoor in-person visits.
- When possible, in-person visits should be conducted outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. If the visit is outdoors and distancing can be accomplished, masks can be removed (if the family agrees).
- Team members should continue to wash hands and sanitize items.
- In-person visits should not occur if:
- any individual has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days, OR
- any individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, OR
- an individual who is not fully vaccinated has been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- In the event of COVID-19 exposure, EI providers and families need to adhere to the local health department’s quarantine guidelines. Such guidelines may override this guidance.
While in-person services may be more available, live video visits will continue to be available to families.
If you need technology (e.g., devices, Internet access) to participate in live video visits, you may consider:
- Technology for Live Video Visits
This tip sheet provides resources for accessing technology and Internet access for live video visits. - EIC Technology Loan Program
The EI Clearinghouse is loaning technology (i.e., iPads with data plans, iPads with WiFi, and WiFi hotspots) to families/caregivers for free.
We will continue to update you about changes to the EI Program. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Meghan Burke (meghanbm@illinois.edu).