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All about Early Intervention (EI) Babies who are diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing will be referred to support and early intervention services (EI) which is a state agency that supports infants and toddlers and their families up to age. The EHDI program will link you to services that can help you in this process. The organizations listed in the next section will reach out to you to provide support and guidance. Illinois Early Intervention Program What is the purpose of this service? To help children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow. ​ Who can receive these services? Families with an eligible infant or toddler from birth to three years old. ​ What services are offered? Infants and toddlers are evaluated to see if there is a delay in: movement, learning, dealing with others, behavior, and/or self-help skills. ​ ​ If services are needed, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be written to set goals and identify needs. The IFSP is written in accordance with a federal special education law called IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Learn more about Special Education law: (IDEA) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ​ Families, with the support of Early Intervention Providers, help their infants and toddlers reach their goals. ​ How to apply? ​ DHS Office Locator Find an Early Intervention Child and Family Connections office in your local area. Child & Family Connection Office Locator Call 1-800-843-6154 (Voice/TTY). Additional Information: For more information visit the IL Department of Human Services Early Intervention Bureau of Early Intervention To read research-based and best-practice early intervention information visit the EI Clearinghouse. Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse Are you concerned about your child’s hearing, if you are you should talk with your child's pediatrician and ask for your child to have another hearing screening. Or find an Audiologist by visiting EHDI- PALS to find an audiologist near you, http://www.ehdi-pals.org/ . EHDI-PALS online database You can view the Center for Disease Control's Developmental Milestones to see if your child is on track developmentally. CDC’s Developmental Milestones For Families of Babies Diagnosed as Deaf or Hard of Hearing We are able to provide you with support and resources from the start to help guide you through the process ahead. Upon your child's diagnosis, someone from the following organizations will reach out to you, feel free to contact them now if you haven't heard from them: Illinois Guide By Your Side Visit our resource page for information to help you decide how your family wants to communicate with your baby. We will give your resources to learn about Listening and Spoken Language, American Sign Language, Cued Speech and Total Communication. ​ Is your child 2 and a half? There's a big transition on their 3rd birthday. We have lots of information to help you navigate this transtion. Check out our transitioning out of Early Intervention page. ​ If you feel you need assistance with your transition from Early Intervention to your School District, the IL School for the Deaf Outreach has a Special Education Advocate who can assist you for free! You can learn more at Illinois School for the Deaf Advocacy Support BACK TO TOP

Transitioning at age 3: Leaving the Early Intervention (EI) Program Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program services end when a child turns age 3. To give you time to plan for this change in services, the law requires that your EI team begin planning for transition six months before your child’s third birthday. This allows you adequate time to find out if your child is eligible for early childhood special education services through your local school district. Not all children will qualify. The Illinois State Board of Education is the state agency responsible for special education services for children age 3 and older. Here are the steps and your role in the process. Step 1—Sign a Consent Form for Referral. When your child turns 2½ years old, your EI service coordinator will ask you to sign a consent form. Your consent is needed to release information about your child to your local school district. This begins the referral process. You can accept or decline the referral. ​ Step 2—Attend a Transition Planning Conference. Your service coordinator will arrange for a planning conference at least 90 days before your child turns age 3. The meeting may include a representative of your district or other community services, such as preschool or Head Start. This is a meeting to learn about possible services for your child and to share information about your child. ​ Step 3 - Participate in an Evaluation. The school district may use current evaluations from your EI team or may decide to conduct a new evaluation. You will be asked to sign a consent form for a new evaluation. The school district will use the evaluations to answer four questions: Does your child have a disability? What is your child’s current developmental status and functional performance? Does your child’s disability affect his or her ability to engage in age-appropriate activities? Does your child need special education and related services? ​ ​ Step 4 - Determine Eligibility and Plan Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). You will meet with school district staff to discuss the evaluation findings and determine if your child is eligible for special education and related services. You may want to invite a family member or friend. The IEP meeting will take place when your child turns 3 or before. If your child is eligible, then the IEP team and you will choose goals for your child for the next year. The goals are used to identify services and providers and to plan where and when services will be provided. If you agree with the IEP, you will be asked to sign it. If you disagree with the IEP, you can ask for another meeting to discuss your concerns. If you cannot resolve your concerns with the team, you have several legal options, which you can discuss with the district. ​ Step 5 - Preparing Your Child and Family for Transition. Your service coordinator or provider will suggest ways to prepare your family and your child for the end of EI services and the start of other preschool activities and services. For example, she may suggest that you visit the new program or work on self-help skills (dressing, taking turns, sharing) that will be helpful in preschool. ​ For more information on your family’s roles and rights during the transition process you can download a copy of the When I'm 3, Where Will I Be? Content Courtesy of Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse When I am 3 Where Will I Be Does your child have a summer birthday? ​ Illinois law ensures children enrolled in Early Intervention who have their 3rd birthday during the summer will not have a gap in services. ​ Senate Bill 820 (Public Act 102-0209) allows children to continue EI services until the beginning of the next school year if their 3rd birthday is between May 1 and Aug. 31. The new law took effect on January 1, 2022. ​ The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Early Childhood Department states that this extension of Part C services to children over the age of 3 applies only if the child: Reached age 3 on or after May 1 of the current year through Aug. 31 Enrolled in Early Intervention (EI) and received services before their 3rd birthday Is eligible for preschool services under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Is found eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under IDEA and Section 14-8.02 of the School Code If a child meets all the above criteria, their parents/guardians have the option to remain in EI until the beginning of the next school year or move to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services through the school district. ​ ISBE notes that children enrolled in EI and turning 3 will still need an evaluation, if warranted, and an IEP developed, if qualified, before their 3rd birthday. ​ If families decide to begin ECSE services, they will not be able to return to EI services once they have ended. Families can discuss potential eligibility for this extension with their Early Intervention Service Coordinator. To read the complete Senate Bill: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=102-0209 BACK TO TOP

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Acknowledgments & Disclaimers We would like to acknowledge the organizations that make our work in Illinois possible. We cannot do this alone. Many organizations and individuals contribute to IL Sound Beginnings whether by recording a presentation, reviewing data or contributing content. We thank everyone who has assisted our efforts no matter how small a part they play, we're all in this together. The organizations and programs listed below have provided hours and dollars to support our commitment to serving families who have infants, toddlers and children who are deaf/hard of hearing. Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Illinois Department of Public Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant Illinois School for the Deaf National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management Health Resources and Services Administration, EHDI Grant Privacy and Security Notice Personal information is information about an individual that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes personal identifiers such as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name, Internet Protocol address, or date and time of access is not considered personal information. We will not obtain any personal information about you when you visit this site unless you voluntarily choose to provide that information. Personal information you choose to provide will be used by us only for official business purposes. For example, if you send an e-mail message or complete a web form that contains personal information, we may retain your e-mail address and other information as appropriate for official business purposes. Release of personal information you choose to provide to us will be governed by applicable law. Personal information you provide to us will not be sold or leased and will not be disclosed to any unauthorized person. Any personal information retained by the Illinois Sound Beginnings will be protected by appropriate security controls. Policies for Individuals under 13 Years of Age The Illinois Sound Beginnings is committed to complying fully with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Accordingly, if you are under the age of 13, you are not authorized to provide us with personally identifying information. We appreciate your cooperation with this federally mandated requirement. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information volunteered by children on-line or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult and may be subject to public access. Website Logs The Illinois Sound Beginnings has the capability to monitor, log, and analyze website traffic. This information is not personally identifiable, and no effort is made to personally identify users with log data. The Illinois Sound Beginnings may use various tools to monitor traffic and to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, to cause harm, or to otherwise damage this site. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this site are strictly prohibited. Unauthorized use, tampering with, or modification of this site, including supporting hardware and software, may subject the violator to criminal and civil penalties. If there is an unauthorized intrusion, all relevant information may be provided to law enforcement officials. 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Birthing Facilities The Hospitals Role in Newborn Hearing Screening Newborn hearing screeners serve on the frontline in the world of newborn hearing. They make a significant impact on a newborn's life by providing proper guidance and education to their parents so they can make informed decisions about their newborn's hearing. Without adequate knowledge, parents can unintentionally choose a path where their newborn may miss out on early detection of hearing loss, which may cause developmental delays in speech and language, communication, reduced academic achievement and possibly, social implications. With over 300 babies being diagnosed with permanent hearing loss in Illinois each year, it is crucial that screening staff explain the importance of a hearing screening to all parents and how it can help detect a hearing loss in a baby so parents can take advantage of all the resources available to them. In addition, it will also help ensure timely developmental growth for their child compared to their hearing peers. Screeners have the ability to empower parents in making choices if they are fully equipped with the essentials of the newborn hearing screening process including conducting a successful screen; interpreting the screening results for parents; explaining next steps when their newborn refers on the initial hearing screening; and the importance of timely follow-up upon hospital discharge. To increase your understanding and maintain competency in all these areas, we have provided you with the following materials that include trainings that could be completed periodically in your own time to help you stay on top of it! Reporting Resources Read More Training Read More Messaging to Parents Read More Commonly Used Acronyms Read More EHDI Metrics Read More Cytomegalovirus CMV Read More Brochures Read More

Trainings At Illinois EHDI the outcomes of our children who are deaf/hard of hearing is of utmost importance. We want to provide training and support for families and providers working with them. We believe this with knowledge and understanding comes success. If you have a training you would like to have included, please message us for consideration. Parents Providers Birthing Facilities

Newborn Hearing Reporting Resources Reporting Forms for Audiologists UIC-DSCC 0345 Form: Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program Diagnostic Evaluation Summary IDPH Hearing Screening Reporting Form (Fillable) IDPH Audiological Diagnostic Evaluation Reporting Form Coming soon HiTrack Web Based Reporting: Reporting Forms for Screeners IDPH Hearing Screening Reporting Form (Fillable) Home Visiting Hearing Screening Reporting Form

Brochures Information for Parents Brochures (43.00) Arabic/English Brochure Chinese/English Brochure French/English Brochure German/English Brochure Korean/English Brochure Polish/English Brochure Russian/English Brochure Spanish/English Brochure Tagalog/English Brochure Vietnamese/English Brochure Next Steps for Parents Brochures (43.01) Arabic/English Brochure Chinese/English Brochure French/English Brochure German/English Brochure Korean/English Brochure Polish/English Brochure Russian/English Brochure Spanish/English Brochure Tagalog/English Brochure Vietnamese/English Brochure New Born Hearing Screening Next Steps NCHAM Next Steps Brochure Result Cards (43.12) Need to order brochures? Brochure Order Form English Result Card French Result Card Polish Result Card Spanish Result Card

Training and Education At Illinois EHDI the outcomes of our children who are deaf/hard of hearing is of utmost importance. We want to provide training and support for families and providers working with them. We believe this with knowledge and understanding comes success. If you have a training you would like to have included, please message us for consideration. Parents Providers Birthing Facilities

M essaging to Parents Scripts for reporting results of universal newborn hearing screening to view written scripts visit: Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum Messaging to Parents in ASL Scripts for reporting results of universal newborn hearing screening in ASL IL Sound Beginnings produced NHSTC scripts in ASL to use with new parents who's language is ASL. Please select the appropriate video below, based on the babies result and provide the family with a device to wath view their result in ASL. All Videos Play Video Play Video 01:12 Did Not Pass Before Discharge - NHSTC - ASL Play Video Play Video 00:54 Did Not Pass NICU - NHSTC - ASL Play Video Play Video 01:08 Did Not Pass Rescreen - NHSTC - ASL Play Video Play Video 01:19 Incomplete Screening - NHSTC - ASL Play Video Play Video 01:23 Pass Result High Risk NHSTC - ASL Play Video Play Video 01:05 Pass Result NHSTC - ASL

Are you a parent of a baby with a confirmed hearing loss diagnosis? Are you a provider working with infants and toddlers who are deaf/hard of hearing? Find a Pediatric Audiologist ​ EHDI Pals PARENTS ​ Read More EHDI Pals Providers Read More