Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois

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.
  • Tools being removed from the Approved list (not to be used after May 30, 2024) (pdf)
• 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!
  • IDHS Memo - Updates to the Elevated Blood Lead Levels for Early Intervention Eligibility - 12/30/24 (pdf)
• 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).
  • Screening Device for Determining Family Fees and Eligibility for All Kids and DSCC- English (pdf) - Spanish (pdf)
• 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service report guidelines and a format (not a form) for evaluations/assessments and direct service reports, which is out of date.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:

  • Provider Information Notice – Evaluation-Assessment Clarification – 11-20-15 (pdf)

  • Updated Evaluation Assessment Guidelines (pdf)

  • Evaluation-Assessment Report Format – R12-01-15 – PDF

  • Evaluation-Assessment Report Format – R12-01-15 – Word document

  • Discharge Report Format - Word document (from Provider Handbook)
  • Six-Month Review Report Format - Word document (from Provider Handbook)
  • Medical Diagnostic Report Format - Word document (from Provider Handbook)

• 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.

Announcement: Eligibility in EI - Is Anything Really Different?

(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.

Announcement: Serving Families of Eligible Children without Delays in Illinois Early Intervention

(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.

Announcement: Eligibility in EI - Summary, Clarification, and Reminders

(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.

• IDHS Memo - Updates to the Elevated Blood Lead Levels for Early Intervention Eligibility - 12/30/24 (pdf)

• The Ripple Effects of Childhood Lead Poisoning (pdf) - available in English and Spanish

• Service Guidelines: For young children with elevated blood lead levels: Created by Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention EI and Lead Workgroup. A PDF version is also available.

• The Benefits of Early Intervention for Children Who Have Been Lead Exposed (video): Pamela Epley of Erikson Institute shares the benefits of Early Intervention services for children exposed to lead. This webinar was created in collaboration with Erikson Institute, Legal Council for Health Justice, and the Illinois Early Intervention Program.   A Spanish version of the video (Los Beneficios de Intervención Temprana para Niños Expuestos al Plomo)  is also available.

5 Developmental Domains and Eligibility (PDF)

(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.  

Eligibility and Clinical Opinion: Important steps & critical team conversations (PDF)

(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. 

Informed Clinical Opinion (PDF)

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.

Ways To Use Evaluation/Assessment Information In The IFSP Process (PDF)

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. 

Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention

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

• Identifying Family Activities and Routines Conversation Starters (PDF)  Family-guided Approaches to Collaborative Early Intervention Training and Services (FACETS) provides conversation starters and follow-up questions to learn about family activities and routines.  Early Interventionists (service coordinators and providers) may find this to be a useful tool to learn about the families they are serving.
• Resource Guide on Assessment and the Family-Professional Partnership in Early Intervention from the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse developed a resource guide that includes online resources, books, and videos related to assessment and families in early intervention. 
• Questions for Eliciting Family Interests, Priorities, Concerns, and Everyday Routines and Activities (PDF)  Early Interventionists may find this list of questions to be helpful conversation starters when gathering information about a family as well as during intervention visits.
• Assessing Your Child from the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse developed this resource for families to better understand the process and importance of assessment.
• *New* Serving Families of Eligible Children without Delays in Illinois Early Intervention is a brief learning module that covers what you can do for these families at each step of their EI journey.

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:

• Authentic Assessment in Early Intervention
• Family Assessment in the Early Intervention System
• Overview of Eligibility in the Illinois EI System
• The Illinois Early Intervention Report Format
• Supporting Lead Exposed Children and Their Families

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):

• Overview of Eligibility for Illinois EI System
• Evaluation and Assessment
• The Illinois EI Report Format

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):

• Section 5: Evaluation, Assessment, and Eligibility has the following subsections, each with several modules:
  • Evaluation and Assessment
  • Evaluation and Assessment in Action
  • Eligibility
• Resources related to Section 5

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:

• Evaluator Applicants - overview and requirements
• New Evaluator Application Process Flowchart (pdf)