Recognizing the urgent need to reduce long waitlists for families and to address the decline in Early Intervention (EI) providers in Illinois, the IDHS Division of Early Childhood commissioned Afton Partners to develop a cost model study to better understand the true cost of delivering EI services and what it will take to stem the state’s EI workforce from further hemorrhaging. IDHS-DEC recently publicly released Afton’s cost model findings and recommendations, which show that the state must invest $168M more annually to align with the full cost of delivering all EI services. To fully cover providers’ costs and time, provider rates need to increase by an average of 95%, which is an estimated cost of $150M annually. Additionally, Child and Family Connections (CFC) grants need to increase by $18M total statewide to account for modifications that include adequate staffing and to set minimum salaries for service coordinators that are competitive for roles with similar credentials.  

These findings reaffirm that the EI system as it’s currently operating is not working for families. The cost model underscores the immense need for investment and massive funding gap in pay for the workforce. An increase of $60M for Early Intervention in the FY2026 state budget would get us closer to the cost model recommendations and allow IDHS to authorize a substantial rate increase for providers. This will get us one step closer to the investment needed to stabilize the program and to work towards a long-term recruitment and retention strategy to sustain and grow the workforce so that the babies can come off waiting lists to receive the services they need. Our #babiescantwait.

Here are ways you can take action to stay informed and advocate for Early Intervention:

• Tune into the Governor’s budget address on Wednesday, February 19 at 12 p.m. 
  • Tune into the Health & Human Services Briefing at 2 p.m.
• Register for Early Childhood Advocacy Day 
• Follow the Illinois Families for Early Intervention Facebook page for advocacy updates from EI families