Series Description
There are 3 pathways to eligibility for children and families in Illinois Early Intervention, and, in February 2022, the IDHS Bureau of Early Intervention released a draft, revised CFC Procedure Manual with additional clarification to ensure compliance with federal regulations and state laws. Some pathways to eligibility, such as lead poisoning and substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect, may mean automatic eligibility even without measurable delays.
In this 4-part learning series, participants will develop a better understanding of how to best serve families of eligible children without delays in Illinois EI. By reviewing the current research around children brain development and the impact of relationships and interactions with family and other caregivers, learners gain awareness of how Early Intervention is uniquely positioned to be able to provide capacity-building supports to families to promote children’s growth and development. Additionally, through large and small group discussions, participants will problem solve and explore resources for serving these families. Overall, participants should realize that current best practices in the field still apply across all steps in the EI process and walk away with a greater confidence in working with this unique population in EI.
Credit Hours
EITP is an approved sponsor of CEs towards IDPR licensures of Dietitian/Nutrition, LCPC, OT, PT, Social Work, and SLP. You must fully attend all sessions in the series in order to receive the following credit:
- 3 hours in Atypical Child Development
- 3 hours in Typical Child Development
- 2 hours in Assessment
- 2 hours in Intervention
- 2 hours in Working with Families
Series Objectives
After completing the series, participants should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Evaluate the data collected during intake and assessment for the purpose of joint planning, IFSP development, and when determining ongoing supports and services for children without measurable delays.
- Build caregiver capacity by exhibiting an understanding of the impact of the child-caregiver relationship on development and best practices in EI.
- Apply EI principles and philosophy to each stage of the EI process regardless of delay
- Understand how environmental factors (e.g. needs, relationships, positive or adverse experiences) can impact brain development, executive function and regulation.
- Apply Early Relational Health Principles and Developmental Monitoring as supports that are individualized for each child & family using a team approach within EI
- Emphasize and honor the family’s voice throughout the EI process to develop sensitive, culturally relevant, responsive caregiving interactions, supports, and experiences that build family’s confidence and children’s development
- Individualize supports to the unique strengths and needs of families regardless of delay
- Identify formal and informal resources that attune to family-identified priorities and needs, foster important relationships, and support collaborations and efforts that meet the goals of EI.
Series Prerequisites
We encourage participants to watch the following 2 modules before participating in the series:
Series Resources
Session 1 - How and Why
Session 2 - Intake and Assessment
Session 3 - The IFSP Process
Session 4 - Resources for EI Process
Promotion materials
Family-Family Resources
