Latest posts…
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How to Advocate for Your Child in Childcare Settings
According to Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), early intervention (EI) services are provided, to the maximum extent, in families’ natural environments, settings where children would typically spend their time if they did not have delays/disabilities, including families’ homes, parks, and community settings, such as libraries, grocery stores, and childcare.
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How to Advocate for Your Child While Taking Care of Yourself
When your child has a disability, you can use your expertise to advocate for needed services. Research shows that parent advocacy can help families access services for their children.
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How to Advocate for Your Child in Medical Settings
Taking care of a child in medical settings such as an emergency room or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be overwhelming in itself much less with the added stress of keeping track of all the unfamiliar technical information you receive from professionals.
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Early Intervention / Extended Services
As of January 2022 some children who are in Early Intervention (EI) may be eligible to extend EI services past the child’s third birthday.
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Welcoming Applications for Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention Members
IICEI is currently seeking interested individuals to fulfill several vacancies and expired memberships
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Summer Newsletter Focuses on EI over Summer Break
The Summer 2022 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available on our website
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Volume 35, Issue 2 (Summer 2022)
Incorporating Early Intervention into Your Summer Break
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Family Trainings and Education
This guide will introduce you to sources of training and education for parents and families.
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Talking With Your Family About Your Child’s Disability
If you want to share information with family members, here are ways you can interact with extended family members and siblings to help them better understand your child’s delays/disabilities and your everyday life as their parent.
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Volume 35, Issue 1 (Spring 2022)
What Is Family Engagement?
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Spring Newsletter Focuses on Family Engagement in EI
The Spring 2022 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available
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IDHS Updates
Provides links to important updates shared by the Bureau of Early Intervention and the Illinois Department of Human Services
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Videos for Parents on Live Video Visits
Family Stories: Virtual Home Visits with…
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Most Recent Coronavirus Information for Families
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Bureau of Early Intervention Announces Revised Provider Handbook – 5/20/22
The Bureau of Early Intervention (EI) has announced the release of the revised Illinois Early Intervention Provider Handbook draft.
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Open House at the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
Please join us for a Springtime Open House celebration at the EI Clearinghouse.
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Volume 34, Issue 4 (Winter 2022)
Transition at Age 3: Who, What, Where, Why, and When
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Changes to Illinois Early Intervention Policy and Procedure
IDHS is soliciting public comments regarding EI policies and procedures
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Winter Newsletter Spotlights Transition to School-Based Services
The Winter 2022 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available on our website
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Transition: Understanding Family Rights
It is important to understand your family’s rights throughout early intervention (EI) and into the next step in your child’s journey. You are a critical part of your child’s IEP team.
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Fun Books for Families
EIC Resources EIC Article Resource Guide Tip Sheet Books for Parents Books for Children Detailed borrowing information for these books can be found below.
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Staying Active During Winter
Does winter give you “the blues”? Are you less active in the winter than during warmer months? If so, we have some ideas to help you and your child stay active during the cold winter months.
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Illinois EI Services COVID-19 Family Update
This is an update from the Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EIC) about early intervention (EI) during the pandemic.
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Fall Newsletter Focuses on Role of Coaching in Early Intervention
The Fall 2021 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available on our website
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Inclusion
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources.
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Volume 34, Issue 3 (Fall 2021)
Coaching: An Essential Part of Early Intervention
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Early Intervention Now Offering E-Pay for Families
IDHS is pleased to announce that beginning Monday, September 20, 2021, EI families can electronically pay their family fees (PDF) via a computer, laptop, smart device, or phone.
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Everyday Early Intervention: Encouraging Speech Development
A child’s first three years is 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 to the speech and language of others. Children communicate with others long before they can speak. Use these activities to help promote…
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Volume 34, Issue 2 (Summer 2021)
Speech and Language Are EI’s Most Common Delays
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Summer Newsletter focuses on Speech and Language Development
The Summer 2021 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available on our website
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Illinois EI Services Phase 5 COVID-19 Family Update
As of June 2021, there is updated guidance from the Bureau of Early Intervention. These changes begin immediately.
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Addressing Lead Poisoning Prompts Paradigm Shift in EI
Until recently, strategies to address childhood lead poisoning have focused on prevention and a “wait and see” approach to services. Prevention initiatives include eliminating sources of lead exposure and decreasing the lead level in children’s blood.
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EI Provides Critical Supports for Children with Lead Exposure
Lead poisoning is one of the greatest environmental health hazards facing young children.
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Spring Newsletter Looks at Lead Poisoning
The Spring 2021 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available on our website
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Volume 34, Issue 1 (Spring 2021)
EI Provides Critical Supports for Children with Lead Exposure
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Everyday Early Intervention: Outdoor Fun
Outdoor play can be great for working on early intervention outcomes. Positive interactions between you and your child are key to supporting your child’s development. Here are some fun ideas to do with your child, using only materials you might find around your house.
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EI Services COVID-19 Family Update
By Dr. Meghan Burke We hope you and your family are doing well. This is an update from the Early Intervention Clearinghouse about relevant resources for the Early Intervention (EI) Program during COVID-19. There is a workgroup comprised of relevant stakeholders (including families and providers) addressing EI needs during COVID-19. For weekly updates about the…
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Everyday Early Intervention: Indoor Fun
Indoor play can be great for working on early intervention outcomes. Positive interactions between you and your child are key to supporting your child’s development. Here are some fun ideas to do with your child, using only materials you might find around your house.
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Volume 33, Issue 4 (Winter 2021)
Staying Active During Winter
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You Are What Your Child Needs
You are what your child needs.He needs a loving caregiver who wants to help him grow. Every time you interact with your child by talking, playing, and doing daily tasks, you are building your child’s brain and helping his body become stronger and more skillful.
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Positive Talk Builds Confidence
Positive talk is not only beneficial for babies and toddlers. Positive talk and positive thinking also are important for parents and caregivers of children receiving early intervention services.
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Siblings as Role Models for Children With Disabilities
Families and their EI teams can plan ways to help siblings play and grow together. By involving siblings in the goals of individualized family support plans (IFSPs), all children—including the child with a disability—may benefit.
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Food to Grow
We, as parents, want our children to have it all. We want health and happiness for them. While there are some things that we cannot control, we can make the choice early in our children’s lives to provide a variety of food options that will provide the building blocks to build a healthy mind and…
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Handling Picky Eaters
Picky eating is a common challenge families encounter. Picky eating is also a common cause of worry and tension for parents and caregivers who may worry about whether young children are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
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Answering Questions About Your Child’s Disabilities
Have you ever felt that people judge you, look at you differently, or comment on your parenting when your child starts screaming in the grocery store because they don’t know how to communicate their needs or because the noise is too overwhelming? If you’ve ever been upset or felt like screaming “Are you serious?”, take…
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You Are Your Child’s Best Advocate
As an expert on your child, you already are your child’s best advocate. You should feel confident in expressing your concerns to professionals. Indeed, you know your child better than anyone else.
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Plan Ahead to Prevent Tantrums and Meltdowns During the Holidays
Planning for challenging moments can help make your holiday times more pleasant. Help your child prepare for the routine and schedule changes that accompany the holidays by using a variety of strategies to help your child understand what is going to happen.
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The Role of the Service Coordinator in Early Intervention
A service coordinator works in partnership with the family—from initial referral through transition out of early intervention—to help the family gain access to the early intervention system, identify supports and services that meet the family’s needs, and understand the family’s rights and procedural safeguards.
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How to Build Strong Family-Professional Partnerships
It is important for early intervention (EI) professionals and families to partner with one another. When professionals and families partner with each other, children make greater progress.
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Play and Learn Indoors
Planning for indoor play can help keep children busy and engaged. Look at your home space and consider all the possibilities for play and learning.
Got any book recommendations?