Free Webinars for Caregivers

RCADD (Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays) provides support for those who care for, teach and serve children with an autism diagnosis or other developmental differences. In addition to free virtual webinars, their website offers a wealth of resources that may be of interest to your family. Click on the link below to see what topics will be covered in these webinars through summer, 2024. There are opportunities to learn more about your child's diagnosis as well as how to create a supportive educational plan (Individualized Education Plan - IEP) for your child before attending preschool. 

2024 Virtual Webinar Series 

Your Sensory System

What does it mean when a someone is "over responsive" or "under responsive" to sensory experiences? This quick video may help explain:

When Mealtimes Feel Difficult

The Chicago Feeding Group is hosting a virtual group for parents and caregivers who would like to support their children through feeding challenges. The group is held on Thursdays from 12:45-2 pm on November 2, 16, 30th and December 14th. To learn more please click on the link below.

Chicago Feeding Group Parent Support  

Helping Little Ones Feel Safe

Whether it is something we see on the news or in our very own neighborhoods and homes, children can be impacted by what they see, overhear and experience. Looking for ways to help a child feel safe during uncertainty or crisis? Please see below for some suggestions from Zero to Three

Understanding How Traumatic Experiences Affect Very Young Children 

Therapy Assistance Grants

The Chicago Autism Network is inviting families to apply for a therapy assistance grant through their website (link below). Those children who live in Illinois, meet income guidelines and have an autism diagnosis may be eligible for grant money to be used towards out of pocket therapy costs or help with insurance premiums. 

2024 Therapy Assistance Grants 

Examining Your Child's Sleep Needs by Age

Interested in learning more about your baby's sleep needs? Sleep promotes brain development, attention span, frustration tolerance and overall health. The resources below can help you get started.

 https://www.amazon.com/Precious-Little-Sleep-Complete-Parents/dp/0997580801

https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-sleep-schedule.aspx

Graph can be found at the following link: National Sleep Foundation Sleep Recommendations

A New School Year Awaits!

The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays (RCADD) has put together  Back to School Resources which include:

• A Back to School Social Story (Eng), Back to School Social Story (Español)- to help your child better transition to the new school year
• Visual Supports (Eng), Visual Supports (Español) to help with routines at home, bus schedules, and weekly school/no school schedules
• Tip Sheets for families and caregivers to learn how to use visual supports
• Structured activities Back to School Check List, Back to School Check List (Español) to help your child review basic skills prior to returning to school
• An entire IEP and Special Education Resource section to help with understanding of the IEP process and your child's Special Education Rights

Connect Home Visiting

Connect Home Visiting is a Maternal Child Health and Early Childhood initiative affiliated with Lurie Children's Hospital.  Connect Home Visiting refers pregnant people and families with young children to a network of home visiting providers in the Chicagoland area. Home visitors work with parents on practical parenting skills as well as family bonding before birth and as children grow up. Through partnering with the home visitors, families learn how to improve their family’s health and provide better opportunities for their children. 

Families may consider this resource in addition to the therapies offered through Early Intervention. 

Getting Started in Early Intervention

 Anyone can refer a child to Early Intervention.

Concerned the development of a child under the age of three? Download the referral form below. Completed forms can be sent via facsimile to (312) 942-7811, (312) 942-7813 or (312) 942-8510. A prescription form can also be completed by your child's doctor.

CFC 11 serves the following zip codes: 60610, 60611, 60613, 60614, 60618, 60622, 60625, 60626, 60630, 60631, 60634, 60639, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60651, 60654, 60656, 60657, 60659 and 60660. Don't see your zip code? Please see the Early Intervention Office Listing to find the contact information of the location that serves your area. 

Early Intervention Office Listing

Referral Form

Prescription Form 

Do you know a child that may need therapies that is age three or above? Please connect with a Child Find location to inquire about a developmental evaluation. 

Getting Ready for Preschool Transition

Would you like to learn more about the transition from early intervention to preschool? The informational video above will outline the general process. If you are interested in participating in a live webinar hosted by Chicago Public Schools please join us on the last Tuesday of each month to learn more. 

There is no need to RSVP, simply use the link below to join. Here you can ask questions and get immediate answers related to your child's preschool journey.

The links always remain the same and no rsvp is required. Meeting are held in both Spanish and English on the last Tuesday of the month.

ENGLISH 1-2:15 PM meet.google.com/fkt-jyqk-qgc 

SPANISH 2:25 PM  meet.google.com/kpu-yjjc-fmh 

 

Need a Technology Loan?

The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse is pleased to announce we are loaning technology to help families in early intervention participate in live video visits, or telehealth. Many EI families are receiving services by live video visits. To help families with technology needs, the EI Clearinghouse has added several technology devices to the lending library:

• iPads with a cellular data plan (device and internet access)
• iPads without a cellular data
  plan (device)
• Hotspot with cellular data plan (internet access)

Please use the link below to learn more and apply.

Early Intervention Technology Loan 

Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays RCADD

2023 Entrenamientos Virtuales de Español

2023 Entrenamientos Virtuales de Español

Looking for Autism Supports?

en español 

Preschool: Getting Ready for the 2023-2024 School Year

Will your child turn three before September 1, 2023? Are you interested in a preschool application? Chicago Public Schools will be opening their online application April 11th. Below are links for more information. You can also call (312) 229-1690 if you prefer to speak with someone live.

Children in Early Intervention can apply for preschool through this website while simultaneously pursuing evaluation through Chicago Public Schools. 

How To Apply 

Chicago Early Learning Preschool Application

Application Walk Through (video)

Statewide Early Intervention Office Listing

Questions about which Child and Family Connections (Early Intervention) office you need to reach? Please see the statewide listing below with zip codes to determine your local contact.

CFC Listing 

Mark Your Calendars!

Parents, Caregivers, Early Intervention is hosting four virtual town hall meetings with families of children in Early Intervention. These meetings will give families a chance to share their experience, ask questions and voice suggestions. To register, contact Meghan Burke at meghanbm@illinois.edu or call (217) 300-1226. 

Meeting Dates: Tuesday 2/7/23 @ 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, 5/2/23 @ 7:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, 9/6/2023 @ 9:30-10:30 a.m. or Thursday, 11/9/23 @ 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Town Hall Meeting Spanish

Town Hall Flyer English