The worldwide COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread, as well as the uncertainty and uneasiness that come with such rapidly changing circumstances and limited information. To help protect yourself and support your important work with children and families in Illinois, EITP has pulled together the following information and resources about COVID-19, which is also known as "Coronavirus". New resources are highlighted, and key resources are in bold.
Illinois EI COVID-19 Related Resources
Latest Updates from IDPH
- IDPH COVID-19 page has many resources and up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Illinois.
- IDPH Regional Metrics allows you to select your region on the map to learn more about COVID-19 statistics and mitigations in your area.
- IDPH announced that it will no longer utilize test and case positivity rates to monitor COVID-19 trends. The state will now designate areas as low, medium, or high risk of transmission based on new federal guidelines that include:
• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
• New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
• The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.
Latest Updates from IDHS
For the complete list of updates, please visit IDHS Updates related to COVID-19
Resources from EITP
Updates from Illinois EI Partners
The Facts on COVID-19
- Illinois COVID-19 hotline can be reached at (800) 889-3931 or by email at sick@illinois.gov
- Illinois Department of Public Health guidance on COVID-19 (English and Español available)
- Vaccine resources from the CDC (available in multiple languages):
- COVID-19 Vaccination resources - provides facts about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, how to prepare for and find the vaccine, and what to expect during and after vaccination.
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens - (created 5/12/21) - provides information about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for adolescents aged 12 and older, how to find a vaccination provider for adolescents, and what to expect during and after vaccination.
- The CDC now recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Parents with questions are encouraged to talk to their child’s health care provider or local pharmacist to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and the importance of keeping children up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations. Resources have been updated to reflect the new recommendations.
Specific Resources
- COVID-19 resource page from ECTA - provides state Part C and Part B programs with the latest information on funding and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Telepractice for Part C Early Intervention Services: Considerations for Effective Implementation and Medicaid Reimbursement (pdf) - (created 11/2021 by ECTA Center & DaSy) - According to the introduction of the report, State EI Part C systems should consider telepractice as a method for improving equitable access for all young children with disabilities and their families to high-quality EI services. Further, it states that to plan for the continued successful use of telepractice, states will need to: (1) make decisions based on all available data, (2) explore state and federal policies and requirements, (3) consider and respond to issues related to Medicaid reimbursement, and (4) provide information and supports for families, providers, and state staff. The purpose of this report is to provide information about the use of telepractice as a delivery method for EI services and the process for Medicaid reimbursement.
- Return to School Roadmap: Child Find, Referral, and Eligibility (created Oct. 29, 2021 by US Dept of Education) - This Q&A document highlights that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), each state lead agencies and its early intervention service providers are responsible for implementing a child find system that identifies, locates, and evaluates, as early as possible, all infants and toddlers with disabilities, birth to age three, who may require early intervention services.
- Return to School Roadmap: Provision of Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families under Part C of IDEA (created Oct. 29, 2021 by US Dept of Education) - This Q&A document addresses the provision of Early Intervention Services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families under Part C of IDEA.
- Self-Care and Mental Health Resources
- Working with Children
- Partnering with Families
- Clinical and Healthcare Settings
- Professional Development at Home
- LearnAway is filled with educator resources and curriculum ideas that will help teachers continue to meet the social, physical, and intellectual needs of children.
- EITP Online Events includes live webinars and meetings, EITP offers self-paced, asynchronous trainings available through Moodle, recorded webinars through OneOp (formerly MFLN) and live events through Zoom.
- Non-EITP Events includes events that are sponsored by other entities (not EITP) that offer EI credit. You can use the dropdown menu next to "Type" and choose "online" to filter events so that only online trainings appear.
- You may also want to check your professional organizations, like DEC, ASHA, or IDTA, to see what resources are available for your specific discipline!
Easy Actions to Protect Yourself
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your face
- Avoid close contact with people who appear sick
- Stay at home if you or a family member is sick
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs and handrails
- Ask simple, fact-finding questions to ALL families regarding recent travel to affected areas or interactions with anyone who traveled to affected areas
- Share resources or factsheets listed above with families wanting to learn more about COVID-19
