OPPOSE RESTRICTED ELIGIBLITY TO EARLY INTERVENTION Current Threat to Early Intervention (EI) The Administration is proposing to increase the definition of developmental delay from 30% to 50% eliminating services for at least ten thousand infants and toddlers and their families and leaving them without access to supports and services in the critical first three years of life.    Only three states (Arizona, Alaska, Missouri) and the District of Columbia have implemented such a restrictive definition of eligibility. According to the Bureau of Early Intervention, at least half of the 21,249 children served in FY2014 exhibit delays between 30 and 49%. The Department of Human Services has said current children would be grandfathered, but that 4,000 children would be affected in FY2016, and data shows we can expect to see that number grow back to around 10,000 as grandfathered children leave the system. Children with mild and moderate delays (30%-49%) make the most significant gains in EI. What Is Early Intervention? By federal law, eligible children and their families are entitled to receive a broad range of developmental and social-emotional services designed to maximize their development, including speech and language, developmental, occupational and physical therapies, and social work services. Children in all parts of the state and from all socio-economic backgrounds receive services from EI. Early Intervention is not a stand-alone program; it is a critical part of Illinois’ early childhood system, providing supports and services to children, families, early childhood providers, pediatricians, and other health providers. Early Intervention Works   Nationwide, nearly 70% of children in EI exhibit growth greater than expected, in that they acquire skills at a faster rate even after they leave the program. Nearly half of children leave EI functioning at age level, and do not need special education at kindergarten age. Early Intervention is Cost Effective   Data shows that EI services are at least 2 and ½ times less costly annually than special education services in preschool and elementary years. Less than half of the budget for EI services comes from state revenue; for every dollar the state cuts from EI, it loses over half of that amount in federal Medicaid matching funds, federal IDEA Part C funds, private insurance payments, and family fees. Please tell Governor Rauner and your legislative and appropriation leaders to oppose the cuts to the EI program in the Department of Human Services budget. For more information, please contact: Ireta Gasner; Assistant Director, Illinois Policy, Ounce of Prevention Fund (312.749.9441) Jonathan Doster; Policy Analyst, Ounce of Prevention Fund (708.220.4049) Supporting Organizations (in development) Access Living, Chicago All Bright Therapies Campaign for Better Health Care Child and Family Connections #20, LIC #32 and LIC #38 Child and Family Connections #23 Children's Home and Aid Civitas ChildLaw Center, Loyola University Chicago School of Law Clearbrook/Child and Family Connections #6 Day One Network/ Child & Family Connections #4 Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago (CFC #8 and 12) Erikson Institute EverThrive Illinois Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois Health & Disability Advocates Health & Medicine Policy Research Group IARF ICG Rehab Services Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILAEYC) Illinois Association of School Social Workers Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Illinois Head Start Association Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) Illinois Primary Health Care Association K-Lovejoy, Inc. March of Dimes McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Metropolitan Family Services PACT, Inc Child and Family Connections #5 Positive Outcomes Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law Teddy Bear Christian Child Development Center The Arc of Illinois Wood Law, P.C.