Support Early Intervention Advocacy in IL

Hello to all the teachers, therapists, parents & other family members, administrators and others who understand the importance of early intervention! We all know that "the sooner they start, the farther they'll go" - when developmental delays/disorders are identified in young children, immediate intervention is proven to be more effective, efficient and ends up saving the State money. However, a lack of investment in IL EI system over 25 years has led to severely underpaid therapists and service coordinators in the program, resulting in high turnover and lack of access to Early Intervention Services for families. Currently, thousands of families in EI sit on waitlists across the state, unable to access needed therapies for their babies.

Our Story

The IL EI Grassroots Alliance was formed in the summer of 2022 after a nominal 3% rate increase was awarded that year. A small group of 5 EI therapists connected online with concerns about the future of IL's EI system without significant investments, and created the Grassroots Alliance. Since that time, our Leadership team have all volunteered time to meet with one another, meet with members of the IL Department of Human Services and the EI Bureau Chief, meet & strategize with Start Early advocates, develop an email list of 500+ members, hold public meetings, create fact sheets and other materials, attend Advocacy Day in Springfield, testify to legislators, network with media, etc.

The Current Situation- we need your help!

This year (2024), the Grassroots Alliance has advocated for a $40 million increase to EI in Fiscal Year 2025, and asked that some of this funding be utilized towards a 15% rate increase for providers and service coordinators. Governor Pritzker's current budget proposal has EI listed for a $6 million increase as a "maintenance budget" to be used to support program growth.

Unfortunately, the EI program will not be able to grow with a $6 million maintenance budget, and children across IL will remain on waitlists without immediate action. It is imperative that the State invests in significant increases to pay rates in the program. Crunching the numbers shows that the state needs to raise provider reimbursement rates by at least 25% just to account for inflation – which does not even address measures necessary to decrease transportation, health insurance and billing costs. When surveyed, EI providers have consistently indicated that they cannot remain in the program without consistent pay increases and program improvements.

We have an uphill battle ahead of us this spring to help legislators and other State leaders understand the current crisis in Early Intervention. Our leadership team members are unable to devote the needed time to this fight without financial support.

Here’s How We Will Use These Funds

Donate what you can! Donations will help the Grassroots Alliance advocate for the much needed changes within EI. Here are the ways that your contribution will be used:

$50 supports an hour of a GA Leadership Member's time

$200 supports a day in Springfield to advocate (we would LOVE to have enough funding to award full or partial scholarships to EI providers & parents who want to advocate in Springfield but cannot afford the cost of doing so)

All donations will be utilized directly towards advocacy efforts. We need your support to continue this good work for the infants and toddlers in IL. As a team, we have learned a lot in the last 18 months of advocacy, and we want to continue the momentum!

If you cannot donate at this time, we get it! Cost-free ways to help: