Taking advantage of Early Intervention services for children

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dear Editor:

The Local Interagency Councils of Madison, St. Clair, and Randolph counties would like to thank our local schools for their efforts disseminating our FREE Illinois Early Intervention materials. Through public awareness efforts, we hope to identify children who will benefit from Early Intervention services during their birth to age three years and educate the community regarding children's developmental milestones.

Early Intervention in Illinois is a collection of services for families of infants and toddlers who have delays in development or who are likely to have delays. Early Intervention builds upon the natural learning occurring in a child's first few years.

I am sure readers are aware that young children experience the highest percentage of physical and cognitive development within the first years of their life. Even though every child develops at his or her own rate, it is important to know when to identify differences that may indicate a disability or developmental delay. Therefore, I would like to ask your assistance in identifying these children in your community. The earlier these children are identified the sooner early intervention can begin helping these children reach their maximum potential and need fewer services when they enter school.

Taking advantages of Early Intervention services can assist parents in investigating any suspicions they may have about their child's growth and development. Children with medical diagnoses such as a hearing or vision loss, syndromes, or various other medical conditions, will benefit from a referral to the early intervention service system. Other children who will benefit are those with developmental delays such as difficulty in speaking or moving.

Most of our services are delivered in the child's home or childcare facility. We work with the family or primary care giver to develop strategies that will be easily integrated into family life or the childcare facility to promote the child's optimal growth and development. We provide services that are family driven and completely voluntary.

Once a family is determined eligible for services, an individual family service plan is developed and intervention begins. No longer than 45 days should lapse from referral date service start date. To make a referral call 618-624-3309 or 1-888-594-8364.

I would be happy to discuss early intervention or answer any questions about the Early Intervention Service System you may have. I would also like to invite you to order Illinois Early Intervention Public Awareness Materials at http://www.childandfamilyconnections.org/awarenessmaterials.shtm. These materials are all free of charge.

Thank you for helping the children and families in Illinois.

Sincerely,

Barb Razer

LICs Coordinator for Child and Family Connections