Babies Can't Wait: We Need Early Intervention!

Illinois' Early Intervention (EI) program provides critical services to children under age 3 who have, or are at risk for, significant developmental delays and disabilities. These services have been shown to improve developmental outcomes for young children, support families to better meet their children’s developmental needs and reduce future health & educational costs to our communities and the state by minimizing the need for special education services.

EI is currently in crisis, with thousands of families still waiting for the services to which they are legally entitled. These service delays are tied directly to the program’s ongoing workforce crisis. EI providers continue to leave the program because the math doesn’t add up.

In an effort to address this crisis, Raising Illinois & Start Early are launching a year-long campaign, Babies Can't Wait: We Need Early Intervention with the goal of securing substantial increases to EI in the final Illinois state FY26 budget. Find out how you can get involved below and continue to check this page throughout the year as more opportunities to get involved are added!