Children ages birth to three with identified delays and disabilities are on waitlists throughout the state of Illinois. Early intervention providers have never had regular pay increases or cost of living adjustments. In fact, Early Intervention providers have only had 3 increases in the past 20 years. The United States is facing the highest rate of inflation in four decades.

The Governor recently announced an 8 percent increase to childcare providers by increasing Child Care Assistance Program reimbursement rates, while only providing a 3 percent increase to Early Intervention providers that have the extra expense of driving from home to home. A 2016 study from the IL Partners for Human Service (Failing to Keep Pace: An Analysis of the Declining Value of Illinois Human Services Reimbursement Rates, Annie McGowan, Feb 2016) indicated that EI Provider rates would need to increase by 26% to keep up with the cost of living. That was 6 years ago, and providers have only had a 6% increase since that time.

Early Intervention services are crucial. Research has shown that every $1 invested in early intervention saves $7 to 17$ in future investments. Intervention at early ages results in faster progress and is less costly. Conditions that are not addressed through early intervention will worsen and will be more expensive for the school to remedy.

Join us in telling telling the Illinois Governor that Early Intervention Providers demand a minimum 10 percent increase, regular cost of living increases, mileage reimbursement and partial payment for missed visits. Help us provide crucial services to this vulnerable population.

Petition Created by the IL EI Grassroots Alliance