Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois

Below you will find a variety of resources to familiarize yourself with the vision of early intervention and the team members who collaborate in the early intervention system.

1. Training Path Recommendations for New Providers (pdf)
2. New to EI Forum
3. Illinois Early Intervention Systems of Support
4. DEC Position Statements related to Early Intervention
5. DEC Recommended Practices
6. Early Intervention Services: Key Principles and Practices
7. Early Intervention: What It Is and Why It Works
8. EITP Videos
9. Illinois Early Intervention Program: A Guide for Families
10. *NEW* Developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
11. Key Resources and References for Early Intervention (pdf) from Larry Edelman
12. Ongoing Professional Development Form from Provider Connections
13. Resources by Profession/Discipline
    1. Developmental Therapy
    2. Occupational Therapy
    3. Physical Therapy
    4. Service Coordination
    5. Speech-Language Pathology
    6. Working with Interpreters/Translators

Training Path Recommendations for New Providers (pdf)

This document for new EI providers outlines recommended trainings and how to find trainings approved for EI credit.

New to EI Forum

EITP offers another level of support to help - the New to EI Forum! New providers within their first 18 months in EI will have the opportunity to ask questions to the EI partners about our field and our work. The Illinois EI partners will be available to answer your questions and provide clarification, guidance, and support as you familiarize yourself with the EI program beyond the Systems Overview. There is no fee for this service, and no credit hours will be awarded. No question is too small! We are here for you!

• The New to EI Forum is on the first Tuesday of the month from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (central), except for January and July. Join the zoom meeting and enter New2EI as the password.
• Key Resources and Tips Shared in Forum (pdf)

Illinois Early Intervention Systems of Support

Learn more about the systems that support Illinois Early Intervention in this interactive graphic that highlights the key stakeholders that work together to support children and families in Illinois Early Intervention, by exploring an overview of who they are, what they do, where to find key resources, and how to contact them. This resource is great for anyone new to EI and is also available in a printable version (pdf).

DEC Position Statements related to Early Intervention

Position statements from the Division of Early Childhood that relate to Early Intervention are as follows:

• The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention (September 2024) The purpose of this position statement is to clarify the role of the service, Special Instruction, and its providers (referred to as “early intervention educators” in this paper) within the broader field of IDEA (2004) Part C early intervention (EI). Aligned with federal requirements, this statement focuses on this service as it is provided to families of eligible infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.
• Position Statement on Ethical Practice (May 2022) A public statement of principles and practice guidelines supported by the mission of DEC. The purpose of this statement is to support sound ethical reasoning and decision-making related to supporting families and enhancing the optimal development of young children (0-8 years) who have or are at-risk for developmental delays and disabilities
• Multitiered System of Support Framework in Early Childhood: Description and Implications (2021) The purpose of the revised statement is to define an early childhood multitiered system of support (MTSS) framework and to promote a broader understanding and discussion of the implications for young children, their families, and those who serve them.
• Service Coordination in Early Intervention, Division for Early Childhood, and IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinator Joint Position Statement(December 2020) A position statement that acknowledges the importance of Service Coordination and recognize the expertise and needs of the professionals who provide this service.
• Low Birth Weight, Prematurity and Early Intervention (2018) A position statement that endorses the development of national guidelines for the identification and eligibility for Part C Early Intervention (EI) services of children born low birth weight (LBW)
  and preterm in the United States.
• Personnel Standards for Early Childhood Education (2017) A position statement that includes key concepts guiding the preparation of professionals working with young children and their families.
• Leadership in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (2015) A position statement that promotes high-quality leadership at all levels of the early intervention / early childhood special education service systems.
• The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention (2014) The purpose of this position statement is to clarify the role of the service, Special Instruction, and its providers within Early Intervention.
  • Guidance on Usage of this position statement

DEC Recommended Practices

DEC Recommended Practices are a Division of Early Childhood initiative that bridges the gap between research and practice, offering guidance to parents and professionals who work with young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. The site includes additional resources related to the Recommended Practices.

Early Intervention Services: Key Principles and Practices

The OSEP TA Community of Practice on Part C Settings: Services in Natural Environments convened a national workgroup that produced several consensus documents on principles and practices validated through research, model demonstration and outreach projects. While "natural environments" is a legal requirement, it is now understood as more than "a place" but best/effective practices based on the literature. This includes the following:

• Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments (pdf)
• Seven Key Principles: Looks Like/Doesn't Look Like (pdf)
• Agreed upon Practices for Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments (pdf)

Early Intervention: What It Is & Why It Works

The Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center (VEIPDC) developed this page full of resources related to explaining what EI is and providing research to support why it works.

EITP Videos

This page has a wealth of videos related to Early Intervention in Illinois, like archived webinars and brief introductory videos to share with families. Also included are supplemental handouts to support the use of the videos with families and EI partners.

• EITP YouTube Channel (webinars, clips, etc)
• Child Care and EI video: Natural Partners in Natural Environments
• Introduction to EI video
• Supplements for videos

Illinois Early Intervention Program: A Guide for Families

An early intervention resource guide that includes an overview of early intervention, eligibility, development of an Individualized Service Plan (IFSP), leaving early intervention, legal rights, and frequently asked questions for families. The guide is also available in Spanish (Español).

• Una guía para familias El Programa de Intervención Temprana de Illinois

Developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) (pdf)

Created in August 2025, this comprehensive packet has criteria, examples, and resources related to each of the main steps involved in developing an IFSP as a team. This packet can also be found using the short url https://go.illinois.edu/DevelopIFSP and the following areas can also be linked separately:

• Developing High-Quality IFSP Outcomes (pdf)
• Identifying Routines-Based Strategies to Support Outcomes (pdf)
• Determining the Service Plan to Achieve Outcomes (pdf)
• Sample IFSP Agendas

Key Resources and References for Early Intervention (pdf)

[compiled 2/15/2010] A comprehensive list of resources in the field of early intervention produced by Larry Edelman, University of Colorado Denver. Resources include Mission and Key Principles of Early Intervention Supports and Services, Position Statements, Competencies, Recommended Practices, and Resources Related to Early Intervention Supports and Services on the Web.

Ongoing Professional Development Form (pdf) from Provider Connections

The Ongoing Professional Development Documentation Form, along with the EI Ongoing PD Plan Format (pdf), are required to upgrade your credential from Temporary to Full. Use the form to record your monthly meetings held with a specialist-level provider. This form must be submitted along with the Consultation Verification form and subsequent renewals. The form can be sent in when 75% of the total meetings are complete. To learn more about this form, please see the Provider Connections Winter 2024 Newsletter (page 11).

Resources by Profession/Discipline

Developmental Therapy

• Illinois Developmental Therapy Association (IDTA) strives to unite developmental therapists together to define and clarify our scope of practice, legitimize our practice, and provide a standard of excellence for our practice. Focused on Illinois and partnering with valuable organizations, IDTA provides many resources and opportunities for professional development, advocacy, and networking for DTs in Illinois!
• DEC Position Statement on The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention (pdf) The purpose of this position statement is to clarify the role of the service, Special Instruction, and its providers (referred to as “special instructors” in this paper) within the broader field of Part C early intervention. Aligned to federal requirements, this statement focuses on this service as it is provided to families of eligible infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

Occupational Therapy

• AOTA Early Intervention Resources The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) provides resources to describe what occupational therapy is concerned with, how occupational therapists collaborate with others, and who might benefit from occupational therapy services. Additionally, the AOTA EI page includes webinars, tip sheets, books/products, and other tools for your practice. The following fact sheets are examples of the resources available:
  • The Role of Occupational Therapy With Children and Youth (pdf)
  • Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention: Helping Children Succeed
  • AOTA Practice Advisory on Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention (pdf)
• Occupational Therapy Resources for Early Interventionists A topical guide that will introduce important books, videos, and web resources available from the EI Clearinghouse.

Physical Therapy

• Early Intervention: Physical Therapy under IDEA (pdf) The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) provides a fact sheet that describes physical therapy under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), physical therapy as an early intervention service, and the IFSP process.
• Natural Environments in Early Intervention(pdf) The APTA fact sheet provides a definition and rationale for using natural environments in EI.
• Early Intervention Special Interest Group The Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) promotes the highest quality of life for all children, people with developmental disabilities, and their families, and they have an EI Special Interest Group that has fact sheets and resources related to Physical Therapy in EI.
• Physical Therapy Resources for Infants and Toddlers A topical guide for Physical Therapists working in EI that will introduce important books, videos, and web resources available from the EI Clearinghouse.

Service Coordination

• Service Coordination Resource Page  EITP developed a comprehensive resource page around working in Service Coordination in Illinois.
• Service Coordination Online Resources This page includes modules, materials and resources related to the EITP training "Service Coordination Online".
• DEC/ITCA Joint Position Statement on Service Coordination in EI
• Knowledge and Skills for Service Coordinators (KSSC) (pdf) with related KSSC Infographic (pdf), KSSC Self-Assessment Tool (short assessment, fillable pdf), and Examples of KSSC in Practice (pdf)
• KSSC Quality Indicator Analysis (QIA)
• Worksheets with Examples and Practices to Reflect on Service Coordination Activities Aligned with the DEC Recommended Practices

Speech Language Pathology

• ASHA Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologist in Early Intervention: Guidelines  An official statement from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) which includes guiding principles and the role of the SLP in early intervention service delivery for infants and toddlers (birth to three). To find similar resources, please visit the ASHA page on Early Intervention.
• Speech-Language Resources for Early Intervention Practitioners A topical guide that will introduce important books, videos, and web resources available from the EI Clearinghouse.

Working with Interpreters and Translators

Working with Interpreters and Translators page provides a video, modules, and tips for working with Interpreters and Translators in Early Intervention. If you are an interpreter or translator, please visit our Interpreters/Translators resource page.

Please remember to visit the EITP "Resources" pages for additional early intervention resources.