The Fall 2026 edition of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter is available in English and Spanish.
This edition of the newsletter highlights how building your child’s social skills can bring lifelong rewards. The EI Clearinghouse offers helpful resources to support families in the early years and beyond, including the How I Feel, How I Communicate, and How I Understand tip sheets, a resource guide for Social-Emotional Development, library materials, and more. For more detailed information, see the article Building Your Child’s Social Skills Can Bring Lifelong Rewards.
In addition, the newsletter shares information about the digital interpretation services available to professionals in the Early Intervention program. The service provides on-demand and scheduled video and audio interpretation for appointments involving families, service providers, and CFC staff. EI professionals can request an account by completing the Access to EI Digital Interpretation Request Form and visit the Interpretation Services Toolbox for helpful resources.
Also included in the newsletter are IDHS updates on Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS 2.0). The goal of this process is to improve outcomes and results for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and ensure compliance with program requirements. Updates are also provided regarding the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) as leadership teams are meeting regularly and working on their action plans.
This edition of the newsletter also includes an opportunity to help us grow our library collection by sharing your suggestions! Complete the form by 10/31/2026 and as a thank you, you’ll receive a small gift in the mail. We look forward to hearing from you!
Finally, the newsletter shares information on a few early intervention focused events taking place this Fall. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for the upcoming Town Hall Meeting, Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention meeting, and our annual Cookies at the Clearinghouse open house. We look forward to connecting with you at these events!
You can find all previous issues of the Early Intervention Clearinghouse newsletter on our website in English and Spanish.
Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Family Support Group
The EI Clearinghouse (EIC) is excited to share the news that we are facilitating a Facebook support group for families involved in the Illinois early intervention program. This digital discussion board, available through the social networking site Facebook, offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to share concerns, ask questions and relay experiences regarding their child with developmental delays. Through feedback from participants in the EI program we have learned that parents and caregivers want more opportunities to interact with other parents. This online support group was created to facilitate families connecting with other families and supporting during the challenging times of early childhood. The group is open to parents and caregivers of children currently involved with the Illinois early intervention program or those that have recently transitioned out of the program. This group is organized by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse Parent Advisory Council.
To join the group, when logged into Facebook, search: “IL Early Intervention Family Support Group” or follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ileifamilies
This support group is available to parents and caregivers of children currently or recently participating in Illinois Early Intervention program.
About the Clearinghouse
The Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Clearinghouse identifies and collects research-based and best-practice early intervention information to share with families. We are a resource for you; contact us via our online form or by phone at (877) 275-3227. In addition to our website full of recommended digital resources, we have a lending library of books, eBooks, audiobooks and videos elated to the development of young children with special needs and their families.
Please let us know if you need any resources or information; we are always happy to help!
Sarah Isaacs, Library Director
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse