Your Family Rights

mom and son

If your child is determined to be eligible for the Illinois Early Intervention Program, your family rights include:

  • An evaluation of your child by a professional team completed within 45 days of referral, as well as ongoing monitoring of your child.
  • An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) written within 45 days of referral. The IFSP lists child and family strengths, needs, resources, priorities, and concerns. It also identifies services to be provided to your child. The IFSP must be reviewed at least once every six months and re-evaluated annually.
  • Services are required to begin within 30 days of signing the IFSP
  • Refusal of services. You may refuse any service at any time without jeopardizing other services or without losing the right to re-enter the Illinois Early Intervention Program before your child is age 3.
  • You have the right to receive information in your native language and in a way that can be understood.
  • Informed consent means that you are giving permission for you and your child to receive services. You are asked to sign the IFSP document to show that you understand and agree with the plan and the services identified in it. You also will be asked to sign consents to share information about your child and family with early intervention providers or other agencies that serve your child and family. When you and your child prepare to leave the EI program, you will be asked to give written consent before your records are shared with the local school district or other agency that will serve your child at age 3.
  • Prior Written Notice – Written notice must be given to you before an EI agency or EI provider makes a change in your child’s EI services. Notice must be given in the language that you usually use. You should receive written notice of any meetings, so you have reasonable time to make arrangements to attend.
  • Review of Records – You have the right to review any records related to your child’s EI services. Records must be available to you within 10 calendar days after you request them. You may request changes in the record.
  • Confidentiality of Records – All records of your family’s EI services are confidential. Your providers will share information with each other to provide the best services for your family. The records will be shared with others only as allowed by strict privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

You also have the right to disagree, complain, and request mediation. Written complaints and written requests for mediation or impartial administrative resolution should be submitted to the Illinois Department of Human Services according to the procedures outlined in the following booklet: State of Illinois Infant/Toddler & Family Rights Under IDEA for the Early Intervention System. This booklet also can provide more detail on your rights under the Illinois Early Intervention Program.

Find more information on the complaint process.

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