Stephanie Jimenez with her daughter Lia, 4, who previously used Early Intervention services. Jimenez opted for Lia to undergo virtual therapy sessions in order to avoid long wait times. Though it was helpful, Jimenez admitted she has “mixed” feelings about the mode of therapy. Credit: Photo by Ash Lane for Illinois Answers Project

Early Intervention is a federal program that requires the state to provide therapies to infants and toddlers up to age 3 who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities. 

With more children qualifying for Early Intervention even as therapists are leaving the program, the number of Illinois families waiting for Early Intervention has doubled in recent years.

Early Intervention services stop at age three. The delays have made some parents feel their children are running out of time, according to interviews with Illinois Answers. Research has shown that children who receive Early Intervention therapies can have significantly improved outcomes. 

Equip for Equality, a Chicago-based nonprofit watchdog, provides free legal guidance to children and adults with disabilities. They also work with families who are having issues with Early Intervention. According to Equip for Equality, this is what parents should know about the required timelines and what you can do if you’re experiencing an issue. For more guidance, contact Equip for Equality by calling 866-543-7046 or emailing SpecialEd@equipforequality.org.

Required timelines

First contact: Two business days after a child is referred to Early Intervention, a representative from a Child and Family Connections (CFC) agency must call the family to set up a time to talk further. Here’s where to identify your local CFC. 

Evaluation: 45 calendar days after a family talks with a CFC representative and signs the required forms, the CFC must test the child and create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which details the types of therapies the child will receive. 

Services: 30 calendar days after a child receives an IFSP and their parents consent to it, the therapy sessions should begin. 

Records: Families have a right to access their child’s CFC records. CFC officials must let families obtain these records within 10 days of asking or before any meeting related to the child’s services. 

Early Intervention therapies help kids — but Illinois pays providers less than other states, stalling access

How to file a complaint 

Parents have three options if they are experiencing issues with Early Intervention, such as service delays or disagreements about what type of service is offered.

Complaint: Families can file a complaint with the state if they believe their child’s rights were violated, including if they have been waiting far longer than the required timelines. The complaint must be about an issue that occurred within the last year. 

The state is required to investigate and make a decision within 60 days of getting the complaint. The department’s decision is final. A link to the complaint form can be found here. 

Mediation: Families can request mediation if they disagree with a provider, the CFC agency or the state. Equip for Equality recommends parents describe the problem and what they would like to be done. Mediation, which is free, can only occur if both parties agree to it. The mediation should occur within 10 days of its request unless another time is agreed upon. If both sides reach an agreement with a mediator, it will be put in writing. A link to the mediation form can be found here.

Due process hearing: Families can request a due process hearing if they have an issue with a provider, CFC or the state. Requests must be made within three months of the incident that precipitated the request. Once a hearing has been requested, both sides can attempt to reach an agreement during an initial a month-long resolution period. If it is not resolved, the parties (and any experts they bring) meet with a hearing officer, who will issue a decision within 45 days. According to Equip for Equality, the process is similar to a court case. The officer’s decision may be appealed.

The form to request a due process hearing can be found here. 

How to send in the forms: Starting July 1, Early Intervention will be under the purview of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood. A department spokesperson said that after that date, any questions about the program can be sent to Questions.IDEC@illinois.gov.

According to Equip for Equality, there are currently two ways to submit these forms.

Complaints can be emailed to DHS.EIquestions@illinois.gov. Mediation or due process requests can be emailed to DHS.BAH@illinois.gov with a copy to DHS.EIquestions@illinois.gov.

These forms can also be mailed to IDHS and your local CFC. Equip for Equality recommends using certified mail so there is proof of delivery. Search here for the address of your local CFC.

The IDHS address is: 

Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Early Intervention
823 East Monroe
Springfield, IL 62701

Meredith Newman is an embedded investigative reporter with the Illinois Answers Project. Before joining the newsroom, she worked at The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware and The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and is originally from Evanston, Illinois.