Below you will find a variety of resources related to evaluation/assessment and eligibility. Please remember that the Early Intervention Provider Handbook also includes a definitions section as well as a list of qualified staff and billing codes and rates for evaluation and assessment in the Illinois Early Intervention System.
Page contains the following sections:
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Resources:
- Approved Evaluation and Assessment Instruments (updated 10/2023) IDHS provides a list of approved assessment instruments broken down by the developmental area they are intended to assess. This is not an exclusive list and providers may use tools that are not identified on the list with approval. Criteria for using a tool & other than what is on the approved list can also be found here.
- Eligibility Criteria, Evaluation and Assessment (Chapter 9, CFC Procedure Manual) IDHS provides eligibility criteria, policies, and procedures for determining eligibility, evaluation and assessment. Information for "At Risk" status is found in section 9.1.3 At Risk Condition.
- Evaluation/Assessment Activities (Chapter 3.10, Provider Handbook - rev. 12/2016) provides additional information on policies and procedures for determining eligibility, at risk condition, intake, selecting appropriate tools for evaluation/assessment and more!
- Medical Conditions Resulting in High Probability of Developmental Delay and DSCC Screening Information IDHS provides a list of medical conditions that result in a high probability of developmental delay and therefore are "Eligible EI Diagnoses." This list also includes information related to whether or not the medical condition is an eligible diagnosis for the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).
- Required Service Report Guidelines/ Format for Evaluation/ Assessment/ Direct Service ReportsThe Illinois Early Intervention Handbook has service report guidelines and a format (not a form) for evaluations/assessments and direct service reports, which is out of date. Please use the following information as of December 1, 2015:
FAQ on "Evaluation and Assessment" portion of CFC Procedure Manual (pdf) In October 2015, EITP and DHS sponsored a webinar series around the new CFC Procedure Manual. From the webinar on Evaluation and Assessment, participants asked great questions, which have been used to develop an FAQ around the "Evaluation and Assessment" pieces in the new Procedure Manual.
(Created July 2022) An announcement sent via email to EITP newsletter subscribers on 7/27/22 that describes recent changes to eligibility (as well as what stays the same), shares related resources, and provides reminders about the eligibility process for Illinois EI.
(Created August 2024) An announcement sent via email to EITP newsletter subscribers on 8/13/24 that provides guidance on working with families whose children are eligible for EI but do not have developmental delays and includes a brief learning module Serving Families of Eligible Children without Delays in Illinois Early Intervention that covers what you can do for these families at each step of their EI journey.
(Created May 2024) An announcement sent via email to EITP newsletter subscribers on 5/28/24 that includes information on the eligibility process in Illinois EI, especially for children born prematurely. It also includes "Eligibility Calculators" that help calculate the adjusted age and/or percent delay.
Lead Poisoning & Eligibility
Lead Poisoning is a new eligibility factor! A diagnosis of elevated blood lead levels of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter is included on the list of medical conditions resulting in high probability of developmental delay and DSCC screening information.
(Created 12/2015, updated 9/2017 & 10/2022) This resource created by CFC #25 covers the 5 developmental domains and eligibility criteria for the IL EI System. Multidisciplinary teams may choose to use this as a quick reference during team eligibility discussions.
(Created 11/2021, udpated 10/2022) This resource from EITP reviews the Steps in Determining Eligibility using Clinical Opinion, highlights 3 Important Eligibility Questions to Consider, lists the Eligibility Codes Used in Illinois, and other considerations and resources around eligibility.
This paper (NECTAC Notes, No. 28, 2012) by Anne Lucas and Evelyn Shaw looks at the term "informed clinical opinion" and addresses its meaning in the context of Part C, its effect on the determination of eligibility and why its documentation is necessary. This paper is an update of NECTAC Notes No. 10 (May 2002) by Jo Shackelford.
A tool to help early interventionists use evaluation/assessment information in the IFSP process keeping in mind who we serve, what we do, where we do it, how we do it, who helps, how often it's done, and how we know it is achieved.
This video is from the Results Matter Video Library and it describes and illustrates how authentic assessment enhances early intervention work with children and families, including the use of observation, conversations with families, and video.
Working with Families
Recommended EITP Trainings
Check our training event pages to register for the following trainings related to the topics of evaluation/assessment or eligibility:
Online Trainings:
Face-to-Face Trainings: The trainings will appear on calendar if they are scheduled, so check back later if you don't see a training!
- More Than Just Test Scores: Using A Holistic Approach When Establishing Eligibility
- Eligibility Determination and the Use of Evaluation Information
- Family Assessment for Service Coordinators
- Service Coordination and Family Assessment Institute (5-day event)
Resource Modules from EITP Trainings
EITP covers Evaluation, Assessment, and Eligibility in our 2 main system trainings:
In our Online System Overview training, the following modules from that training are available below as a resource (in order to receive credit for viewing, you must register and participate in the online training):
In our Service Coordination Online (Blended) training, the following modules from that training are available below as a resource (in order to receive credit for viewing, you must register and participate in the online training):
Brief Summary of Eligibility in Illinois EI - Created in June 2022, this 5-minute module explains the 3 paths to eligibility and provides resources to help you learn more about this topic.
Becoming an Evaluator in Illinois EI
To become a credentialed Evaluator in Illinois Early Intervention, Provider Connections has outlined the following resources and information:
