Below you will find resources related to both federal and state rules and regulations as they pertain to early intervention.
89 IL Admin Code 500 is more commonly referred to as "Rule 500" and it provides the operational rules for the Illinois Early Intervention System.
Changes to Rule 500 went into effect on May 14, 2014. For a side-by-side comparison of what was changed in 2014, please download What you need to know about recent changes to Rule 500 (pdf). Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of the changes, but rather highlights changes that may impact your direct work with children and families in the Illinois Early Intervention System.
OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP administers the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA began as a civil rights law in 1975 to provide access for students with disabilities with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and it was later recognized that students with disabilities and their families needed additional support in the education process. By 1986, Congress recognized that benefits in the education process can be gained by supporting the child's learning, and also the family at the birth of the child. Congress therefore amended IDEA to include Part C (originally Part H): the option for states to support infants and toddlers and their families.
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides federal regulations for the early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities. In 2004, Part C of IDEA is established in 20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Subchapter III.
Data products pertaining to federal regulations related to infants and toddlers who enter and exit the early intervention program.
This side-by-side comparison of the 2011 final regulations to the 1999 Part C regulations serves as a tool to assist readers in understanding the new regulations and preparing their own analysis related to Part C. Permission to copy is not required and distribution is encouraged. Please give credit to authors - Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Division of Early Childhood (DEC), and IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association.
Referral Requirements
IDHS Bureau of EI provides a guide to Referring a Child to EI and a brochure (pdf) to help community partners refer children to receive supports and services provided by the local Child and Family Connections office. Additionally, EITP has the training module, Referral to Illinois Early Intervention (approximately 15 minutes), to help understand the referral responsibilities and guide individuals through the process of making a referral.
