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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Volume 38, Issue 1 (Spring 2025)
The Spring 2025 newsletter highlights how establishing healthy sleep habits can help children feel safe and secure.
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Healthy Sleep Habits Help a Child Feel Safe and Secure
Healthy sleep habits can help a child feel safe and secure. A baby’s sleep patterns are constantly changing as a result of his or her development. Here’s what to expect as your child approaches new milestones: Birth to 12 Months 12 to 24 Months 24 to 36 Months The EI Clearinghouse has many resources on…
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Family Outcomes Survey
To evaluate the effectiveness of EI in achieving family outcomes, families are sent text with a link to the “Family Outcomes Survey” shortly after they leave EI. The survey includes questions focused on understanding children’s strengths, abilities, and needs, and EI’s ability to help them develop and learn.
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Volume 37, Issue 4 (Winter 2025)
The Winter 2025 newsletter highlights the release of the newly expanded Getting Started in Early Intervention: The Early Intervention Process page.
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Early Intervention Town Hall Meeting for Families
Family Town Hall Meeting information for 2025
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Check Out the Early Intervention Clearinghouse Toolboxes!
The Early Intervention Clearinghouse staff has been busy making user-friendly digital toolboxes to help the early intervention community find answers to their questions. These one-stop-shop” resource collections provide information and links to a variety of tip sheets, online articles, videos, and more on specific topics. Toolboxes include Family Rights, Provider Toolbox, Live Video Visits &…
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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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Interpretation Services Toolbox
This guide will introduce early intervention professionals to the statewide interpretation service available when there are no credentialled early intervention interpreters available and a family communicates in a language other than English. This collection of information including downloadable PDFs, online videos and web resources are available to assist early intervention service coordinators and other Child…
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Finding Community Resources
This guide will introduce you community resources for parents and families. Each community is unique, so not all services will look the same.
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Family Rights in Early Intervention
A collection of resources for families and professionals related to the expectations and rights a family is entitled to when they are referred to the early intervention program
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Grief Resources for Families
EIC Resources Resource Guide
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Providing Trauma-Informed Supports
The Early Childhood Collective (ECC) has a list of resources for training to increase awareness for everyone in this vital work with young children. For the list, see the collective’s Trauma and Neglect resource bundle.
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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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Families Can Borrow an iPad or Hotspot for Live Video Visits
Many EI families are receiving services by live video visits. To help families with technology needs, the EI Clearinghouse has added several technology devices to the lending library.
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Join the EIC Team
The EI Clearinghouse is seeking a new team member…
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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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Volume 37, Issue 3 (Fall 2024)
The Fall 2024 newsletter highlights the release of the newly revised Family Guide for the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
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Caregiver Leadership Training Is Coming
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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Newly Revised Early Intervention Family Guide Available
It is our pleasure to introduce you to the newly revised Family Guide for the Illinois Early Intervention Program…
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Making a Referral to Early Intervention
Anyone can refer a child to early intervention. The program relies most on “primary referral sources” such as parents, physicians and other health care providers, child care providers, social service agencies, and early learning programs.
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Intake
At your first meeting a service coordinator will explain the EI program and help plan evaluations and assessments. This is called an intake meeting because you will be asked to share information about your child and family. Next step: Participate in Evaluations and Assessments
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Participate in Evaluations and Assessments
You know your child best; you know what your child likes and doesn’t like. Your knowledge makes you an important partner on your child’s team. The team will evaluate your child across all five domains of development: They will ask you questions such as: Remember that you have a right to receive evaluation reports. Next…
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Develop the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
You should have a meeting to develop the IFSP as soon as possible but no later than 45 days from your child’s referral to the EI program. There are no charges or costs for developing the plan. Your service coordinator and IFSP team will help you: What Is an IFSP? The Individualized Family Service Plan…
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What Makes A Child Eligible for Services?
The requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for the Illinois Early Intervention Program
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Early Intervention Program Services
An overview of the Illinois Early Intervention Program
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IFSP Review
An IFSP can be changed. As your child grows and develops, what’s important to you may change, requiring new or different services. The EI team can change services to better meet the needs of your child and family. You and your IFSP team will review your child’s progress every six months and update the plan…
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Transition from Early Intervention
When Is It Time to Leave the EI Program? Your child may leave the EI program when your child’s development improves and your child’s outcomes have been achieved. Otherwise, your child may continue in the EI program until their third birthday, or after if extended services are an option for your child. At least six…
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What Is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a statewide program that provides supports and services for families to help their children under age 3 meet developmental milestones.
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Your Family Rights
If your child is determined to be eligible for the Illinois Early Intervention Program, you will receive information about your family rights.
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Resolution of Concerns
If you have concerns about services, or if you disagree with decisions about your child, you should discuss them with your service coordinator at the CFC. These services or decisions may have to do with identification, evaluation, assessment, placement, or the appropriateness of the services. If you are not satisfied with the result of the…
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Developmental Milestones From Birth to Age 3
The milestones listed below are typical for young children. If you have concerns about your child’s development, simply contact your local Child & Family Connections (CFC)
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Definitions of EI Services
Find definitions of services provided by the Illinois Early Intervention Program here.
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Glossary
A collection of common words and phrases used in the Illinois Early Intervention Program
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A Journey Through Early Intervention
A helpful guide from the Illinois Early Intervention Training program describing the various steps of the early intervention journey in Illinois for a family beginning with referral and ending with transition and exiting the system.
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The Illinois Early Intervention Program: A Guide for Families
This guide, revised in 2024, includes information on the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program, why EI services are important, how to find out whether your child is eligible for the EI program, starting and leaving EI services, your legal rights, and questions frequently asked by families.
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Live Video Visits and Telehealth
Live video visits are one option for you and your child to receive early intervention services.
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Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Family Support Group
We are facilitating a Facebook support group for families involved in the Illinois early intervention program
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Fact Sheet for Families: Early Intervention & Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
An informational guide that answers common questions asked about the early intervention program by families and professionals working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
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When I’m Three Transition Guide
The newly revised When I’m Three Transition Guide is the workbook developed by parents and professionals in Illinois to provide information to families who are preparing for the transition out of early intervention services to services through their local school district.
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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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Sharing Your Story Can Help Others
Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human.
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Check Out Our New Speech Kits
The Early Intervention Clearinghouse has added early childhood speech book kits in English and Spanish to our collection.
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The Family’s Role in Early Intervention Visits
No one knows your child better than you. During early intervention visits, whether in person or virtually, your provider wants to see your interactions with your child and provide you with ideas and strategies you can use to support your child between visits.
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Volume 37, Issue 2 (Summer 2024)
Summer newsletter highlights family/caregiver support group and more
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Webinar Series to Become a Family Data Leader
Upcoming webinar for families on using data to improve early intervention
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National Library of Medicine exhibition on display at the EI Clearinghouse
The traveling banner exhibition explores the story of citizen action taken against an environmental danger.
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Everyday Early Intervention: At the Park
Local parks are full of opportunities for young children to play, explore, and learn. Make sure you’re prepared with snacks, play clothes and sturdy shoes, wipes, bandages, sunscreen and bug spray, and other necessities.
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Summer Playgroup at the EIC
Join us for a summer playgroup at the EI Clearinghouse…
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Early Intervention Assessment Preview Day for Southern Illinois
Join us at Child & Family Connections #22 to preview assessments approved by the IDHS Bureau of Early Intervention.
Got any book recommendations?