Latest posts…
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IDHS Requests Public Comments for Proposed Changes to Early Intervention Rules
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is proposing changes to the Early Intervention Program Administrative Code and is soliciting public comments about these proposed changes.
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Assessments for Illinois Early Intervention
Providers can sign up for an on-site preview of newly approved assessment tools.
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Introducing IDEC – Illinois Department of Early Childhood
Update – May 27, 2026 In a May 27, 2026 letter to early childhood providers in Illinois, the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), Teresa Ramos, shared an update on the status of the state’s efforts to move several early childhood programs from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department…
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Early Intervention Town Hall Meeting for Families
Family Town Hall Meeting information for 2025
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Supporting Children with Cerebral Palsy
EIC Resources Family Stories Tip Sheets Central Directory: Cerebral Palsy Books for Parents Books for Children Detailed borrowing information for these books can be found below.
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Explore Our New Early Learning Kits!
The early learning and exploration activity kits from the Early Intervention Clearinghouse are designed to support young children’s development through shared, hands-on experiences. Each kit includes a combination of books, flashcards, DVDs, and/or engaging games that introduce early literacy and learning concepts in fun, accessible ways. These kits help strengthen adult–child interactions by building language,…
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Volume 39, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
This Spring 2026 newsletter highlights the transition process in early intervention.
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Transition at Age 3: Who, What, Where, Why, and When
Planning for the transition process begins six months before your child turns 3…
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Expanded Getting Started in Early Intervention Page
If a family has concerns about their child’s development or has been referred to early intervention, they may have questions about what the program entails and what happens next. Our Getting Started in Early Intervention: The Early Intervention Process page was designed to help answer those questions.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Jamie’s Story
In this video, Jamie shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for increased public awareness of the EI program.
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Silvia’s Story (in Spanish)
In this video, Silvia shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering the question ‘What has been your experience in Early Intervention?’
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Joanette’s Story
In this video, Joanette shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering five questions:
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Check Out Our New Family Activity Kits!
The Early Intervention Clearinghouse is excited to release our new collection of family activity kits! The Family Yoga Kits and Family Fun Kits are designed to encourage playful interaction between parents and children through a variety of engaging activities. Each kit includes items such as books, flashcards, and games that promote hand-eye coordination, vocabulary development,…
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Early Intervention Connects Families with “Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (IL ABLE)” Accounts
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child enrolled in the Early Intervention program, you may have recently received information regarding Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (IL ABLE) accounts. On August 15, 2025, Illinois House Bill 3500 was passed, requiring that Child and Family Connections Offices share information about IL ABLE accounts with…
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Erika’s Story
In this video, Erika shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and explains how EI has influenced her journey as an advocate for her child.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Magda’s Story
In this video, Magda shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for increased funding in EI to reduce service wait times and strengthen support for families.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Andrea’s Story
In this video, Andrea shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for increased funding in EI to reduce service wait times and strengthen support for families.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Rebecca’s Story
In this video, Rebecca shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for increased funding in EI to reduce service wait times and strengthen support for families.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Michelle’s Story
In this video, Michelle shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for stronger support and clarity for families navigating the EI system.
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Caregiver Advocacy in Illinois Early Intervention: Katie’s Story
In this video, Katie shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) program and uses her story to advocate for greater public awareness of the EI program.
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Talibah’s Story
In this video, Talibah shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program.
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Vikki’s Story
In this video, Vikki shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program.
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Kellie’s Story
In this video, Kellie shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program.
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NICU Legislation Connects Families with Early Intervention
Recent Illinois legislation strengthens the role of hospitals and particularly the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in connecting families to the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program. Babies are cared for in a NICU for a variety of reasons, ranging from issues found during prenatal care to a baby being born prematurely or before the due…
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Aleya’s Story
In this video, Aleya shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering five questions:
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Magda’s Story
In this video, Magda shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her children in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering eight questions:
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Caregiver Leadership Training: Learn to be an advocate for your child
The Early Intervention Leadership Program is designed to empower caregivers and parents participating in early intervention to advocate for their children and family.
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Volume 38, Issue 4 (Winter 2026)
The Winter 2026 newsletter highlights how everyday, screen-free play can make a powerful difference in early intervention.
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Healthy Screen Habits Help Families Thrive
In today’s world where technology is everywhere, it is important to be aware of healthy screen habits, especially for families of young children. During the early years, children’s brains are developing rapidly, and the quality of their interactions with caregivers has a powerful impact on communication, social–emotional development, and learning. Parents can feel overwhelmed about…
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Information Notice – Pause on Planned Implementation of Family Fees
The planned implementation of family participation fees will be paused until further notice.
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Play Buffet: 12 Months to 24 Months
Children learn best through play. The Play Buffet is a way to think about offering your child a variety of play experiences — just like choosing from different foods at a buffet. Here are some toy and activity ideas to support development from birth to 12 months. Many activities build skills in more than one…
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Play Buffet: 24 Months to 36 Months
Children learn best through play. The Play Buffet is a way to think about offering your child a variety of play experiences — just like choosing from different foods at a buffet. Here are some toy and activity ideas to support development from birth to 12 months. Many activities build skills in more than one…
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Play Buffet: Birth to 12 Months
Children learn best through play. The Play Buffet is a way to think about offering your child a variety of play experiences — just like choosing from different foods at a buffet. Here are some toy and activity ideas to support development from birth to 12 months. Many activities build skills in more than one…
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Play Buffet: Incorporating Play into Daily Routines
Children learn best through play. The Play Buffet is a way to think about offering your child a variety of play experiences — just like choosing from different foods at a buffet. Each type of play supports different areas of development. These include Cognitive/Fine Motor, Language/Communication, Sensory, Gross Motor, and Social/Emotional. By making sure that…
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for GLOBO Interpreting
This FAQ provides quick answers to common questions about GLOBO interpretation services. Use it as a guide to better understand our process and get the support you need. Please note: This temporary, backup solution will assist Child & Family Connections staff and early intervention providers when an Illinois early intervention enrolled interpreter is not available. How…
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Non-English Resource Guides
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources in languages other than English or Spanish. For Spanish resources, please see the full list of resource guides here. Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource from the pages listed…
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Annual Open House – Cookies at the Clearinghouse
Join us on Thursday, December 12 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm for a fun, festive event!
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Communication, Collaboration and Teaming
EIC Resources
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Spending Time in the Hospital
EIC Resources Family Stories Tip Sheets Article: What Is A Child Life Specialist? Books for Parents Books for Children Detailed borrowing information for these books can be found below.
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IFSP Toolbox
An Individualized Family Service Plan is developed for every child receiving services through the Illinois early intervention program.
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Check Out the Early Intervention Clearinghouse Bilingual Kits
The Early Intervention Clearinghouse offers a wonderful selection of bilingual kits designed for both English- and Spanish-speaking families. This collection includes both game kits and resource kits. Each game kit is designed for up to four players and comes with a bilingual book, game pieces, and a zipper case that unfolds into the game board.…
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Parent Training and Information Centers
Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIC) are funded to provide information and training to parents of children of all ages (birth to 26).
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Volume 38, Issue 3 (Fall 2025)
This edition of the newsletter highlights how speech and language are the most common delays in early intervention.
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Speech and Language Are EI’s Most Common Delays
Many families seek early intervention for concerns about their child’s speech. Delays in language are the most common type of developmental delay. A child’s first three years are the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in an environment filled with a variety of sights, sounds and consistent exposure…
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Parents and Caregivers – Share your experience with the IDEC!
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is partnering with ChiByDesign to improve how families access early childhood services across the state. The IDEC needs your voice in co-creating a more seamless, anti-racist early childhood education and care experience in Illinois. If you are a parent or caregiver with children aged birth – 5, and…
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Janae’s Story
In this video, Janae shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering seven questions:
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Cassie’s Story
In this video, Cassie shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her child in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering five questions:
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Caitlyn’s Story
In this video, Caitlyn shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her children in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering six questions:
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Brittany’s Story
In this video, Brittany shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her children in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering seven questions:
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Illinois Early Intervention Experiences: Andrea’s Story
In this video, Andrea shares her experience as a mother who has enrolled her children in the Illinois Early Intervention program. She provides her insight by answering five questions:
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Confidentiality and Safety with Remote Video Interpretation
We understand that families utilizing interpretation services may have specific and valid concerns about the privacy and security of their personal information during interpreted sessions. Here’s how Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) protects your privacy…
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Blindness and Visual Impairment Resources
EIC Resources Tip Sheets Central Directory: Blindness/Visual Impairments Print Books Braille Books Detailed borrowing information for these books can be found below.
Got any book recommendations?