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Winter 2002 Volume 8, Issues 3 & 4

Official Newsletter of the Illinois Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.

An Update on Early Intervention in Illinois

by Therese Wehman, Elmhurst College

This has been a very busy and challenging year in the Early Intervention (EI) field in Illinois. About one year ago the EI community was made aware of a $63 million dollar budget deficit. This information posed a threat to the children and families currently receiving EI services in our state. Through the hard work and collaborative efforts of parents, providers, advocates, legislators and the Illinois Department of Human Services an agreement was reached to utilize new funding streams and initiate programmatic changes to the current EI System that would help eliminate the budget deficit, infuse the system with new funding sources and improve the quality of services provided to children and families. Information on three key actions effecting EI follow.

Public Law PL 92-307

On August 9, 2001 Governor Ryan signed SB 461. This created a new public law PL 92-307. This act amends the Early Intervention Services System Act, the Specialized Care for Children Act, The Children's Health Insurance Program Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code.

The Quality Enhancement Process (QE)

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has determined that a professional review of the development of IFSP's for EI is needed to assure the integrity of the program and the quality of interventions. The Illinois Medical Diagnostic Network (IMDN) has been designated by the Department to coordinate this function. The IMDN is a network of University/Hospital based programs that are already under contract with the department to provide monitoring and referral from Level III perinatal care units and developmental follow-up clinics to Child and Family Connections (CFC) providers. The IMDN programs have also participated in the development of training modules for EI providers and medical personnel. Their staffs include pediatricians with specific training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of young children ages birth-3 who are at risk for developmental disabilities.

The IMDN programs will organize and coordinate the EI quality enhancement teams for each CFC. The team will include a coordinator and physician from the IMDN, a parent liaison, the CFC manager and service coordinator for each child whose evaluation and/ or assessments are being reviewed, and two providers from the community drawn from a panel of physical, occupational, speech and developmental therapists. The teams, as structured, will bring a diversity of viewpoints to the quality enhancement process. All new eligible cases, 12 month reviews, and "substantive changes" will be sent to the Quality Enhancement Team (QE) for review. Reviews will occur weekly for one half day in each IMDN region. Meetings will be held in central locations by mutual agreement between the IMDN and the local CFC. Each EI Quality Enhancement Team will use the service guidelines provided by the lead agency to determine the appropriateness of the services recommended in the therapists' evaluations and assessments. Recommendations concerning type, frequency, and duration of therapies will be based on written summaries developed by the evaluating therapists, which is submitted to the CFC Service Coordinator. Variations by the QE team from Lead Agency guidelines will be documented in writing with justification noted. The QE recommendations will be taken to the IFSP team meeting and shared with IFSP team members and the family. A re-review by the QE team can be requested by the service coordinator if other services are requested by the IFSP team. Justification for additional services must be submitted with the re-review request.

This QE process has been in effect since July 1, 2001. The IMND will be submitting monthly reports to DHS on the Quality Enhancement process. This Quality Enhancement process will be examined in 3 months to determine its overall effectiveness and to address specific concerns that may become evident.

Developing an EI Credentialing Rule

The signing of PL 92-307 has provided DHS with a timeline of 180 days to write EI Credentialing Rules. These rules will focus on determining the entry level qualifications of Early Intervention service providers in our state. The Department of Human Services has designated the Education, Training and Credentialing Work group of the Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention to head up this initiative. This work group has been expanded to include parents, advocates, EI service providers that include PT, OT, Speech Therapy, Developmental Therapy, CFC managers, higher education personnel preparation professors, training professionals and DHS administrators. The group will be meeting monthly with the primary focus to review each of the current EI service descriptors and determine basic education, experience, training and supervision requirements for each discipline. Specific recommendations will be made to DHS on each of the current service descriptors and the credentialing rule will be written by January, 2002.

Key Points in Public Act 92-0307:

  • Requires the state to draw on Medicaid, KidCare and Title V by creating a coordinated application process for these programs and EI.
  • Requires the use of private insurance for EI Services.
  • Requires providers to bill insurance.
  • Requires that families be informed of insurance use exemption process. Allows for parents to seek an exemption from insurance under certain circumstances.
  • Requires sliding scale family fees.
  • Protects the program goal of every child reaching their full potential by assuring that once children are enrolled in the program that they will not lose their eligibility solely because their delays drop below 30%, and allows services to continue until they are no longer beneficial or the child has achieved age equivalence in development.
  • Requires that service guidelines and DHS experts be consulted in developing the family service plan but that the plan must be based on the "unique strengths and needs of the infant or toddler and must be appropriate to meet such needs".
  • Creates a Legislative Advisory Committee to provide guidance on the EI program for the next two years and requires DHS to provide it quarterly with all monthly data requested. The first run is to be provided by September 21, 2001.
  • Requires that EI provider training include pediatrics plus training on program changes including insurance billing.
  • Opens up all EI contracting to competitive public bidding.
  • Requires putting all public EI reports, rules, proposed actions, EI Council meeting notices and minutes and data on the DHS EI web site. This web site address is:
    http://www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/eisnp.htmlEditor's note: This url has changed:http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31183
  • Requires DHS to file rules on credentialing in 180 days.

You can read the entire act at

http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/pubact92/acts/92-0307.html

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President's Message

by Bernie Laumann

It is hard to believe that we are now in the year 2002. The field of early childhood special education seems like a relatively young field and yet we have been around long enough to know that we must continuously advocate for the rights of young children with special needs and their families to meaningful, individualized services.

As an organization, DEC continuously works to protect and advocate for the rights of young children with special needs and their families. Through your membership in DEC (and IDEC) you are contributing your voice to the protection of these children's rights. Your membership in this organization does make a significant difference in the lives of young children and their families.

On the statewide level IDEC is actively involved in collaborating with other agencies and organizations to offer high quality professional growth and networking opportunities for families and early childhood and early intervention practitioners:

Here is an update on IDEC activities:

7th Sharing A Vision Conference "Expanding the Possibilities"

Another successful Sharing A Vision Conference was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, IL on October 10 - 12, 2001. Nearly 2,000 early childhood professionals and families attended the conference. You can view the conference program and see pictorial highlights (including Elvis Presley!) on the IDEC Website:

http://idec.crc.uiuc.edu/conf/2001/sav01.htmlEditor's note: This url has changed:http://sharingavision.org/conf/2001/sav01.html

Many, many thanks to the 2001 Sharing A Vision Conference planning committee and to all of you who volunteered and/or attended the conference. Thanks also to all of you who attended the IDEC general membership meeting which was held during the conference. It was wonderful to look out and see all of you there!

Sharing A Vision Conference in 2003

The next Sharing A Vision Conference is scheduled for September 29-30, and October 1, 2003 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL. We would like to have more planning committee volunteers assist in preparing for the next conference. The first 2003 conference planning committee meeting is scheduled for this July (2002) in Champaign, IL. Please contact me if you would like more information about serving on the committee.

International DEC Conference in 2004

IDEC will once again host the International DEC Conference to be held in Chicago on December 4-8, 2004. We will need to form a Local Arrangements Committee to help plan the conference. It takes many volunteers to ensure a successful international conference so I encourage you to join us in the preparations. If you are interested in assisting with this conference, please contact me for more information.

Through a strong membership we can continue the excellent collaboration that IDEC has with other professional organizations around the state in order to support the ongoing work of providing quality educational opportunities and services to all young children and their families throughout Illinois.

Bernie may be reached at

61 Children's Research Center,
51 Gerty Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Telephone: 217/333-4123
Facsimile: 217/244-7732
Email: blaumann@uiuc.edu

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Look what DEC can do for you

As parents, professionals and students we are always looking for opportunities to stay informed about the field of early childhood education. Parents of young children with special needs want to have current information in order to make the best educational decisions for their children. Professionals or future professionals who work with young children with special needs and their families want to have access to the most recent research, legislative initiatives, and recommended practices.

DEC membership offers many opportunities to enhance your professional skills and become a better, more informed advocate for young children. The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is a nonprofit membership organization designed for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. Founded in 1973, the Division is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children. Children with special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental delays, are gifted/talented, and are at risk of future developmental problems.

DEC and its members are committed to:

  1. promoting parent-professional collaboration in all facets of planning, designing, and implementing early childhood intervention services,
  2. advocating for policy planning and best practice in prevention and intervention, and
  3. supporting those who work with or on behalf of infants and young children with special needs and their families.

DEC serves as an umbrella organization for professionals of all disciplines, parents, and others who are interested in building partnerships at the local, state/provincial, national, and international levels to promote high quality services for young children and their families. DEC is the professional association for early childhood special educators and works to ensure the availability of well trained and supported early childhood special educators.

Services provided by DEC include:

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Benefits of your IDEC Membership

Publications:

Quarterly IDEC Newsletter with up to date information on state and national initiatives, informative articles on early childhood topics and current trends, state and national conference information, and IDEC upcoming events;

Young Exceptional Children (practical ideas for early childhood teachers, interventionists, therapists, parents, and administrators)

Journal of Early Intervention (information on current research, exemplary practices, current issues, book reviews, and technological information)

Exceptional Children (a classroom-oriented magazine reporting the latest methods, materials, and programs)

Teaching Exceptional Children (information on research findings and current trends)

Discounts on registration fees for the Illinois Sharing a Vision Conference, the International Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Conference, and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Annual Convention; and DEC and CEC publications and resources for parents, professionals, and students.

To become an IDEC member, you need to join the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Division of Early Childhood (DEC).

Membership information can be found at the following Web Sites:

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IDEC Honors an Illinois Pioneer with a Service to the Field Award

In 1999, the Illinois Division for Early Childhood (IDEC) established the Jeanette A. McCollum award for Service to the Field. This award was developed to recognize the exemplary contributions of Dr. Jeanette A. McCollum from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

Dr. McCollum is an internationally recognized researcher in the areas of personnel preparation, early childhood special education (ECSE) policy, and parent-child interactions—especially related to cultural impact on interactions. Her leadership in ECSE personnel preparation has laid the foundation for many college and university programs across the nation.

Dr. McCollum has been a mentor to numerous students throughout her years at UIUC, and her guidance is frequently sought from organizations such as the international Division for Early Childhood, the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois' and other states' committees working on issues related to personnel development and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Dr. McCollum, herself, is a recipient of both the International Division for Early Childhood's Merle B. Karnes Service to the Division and the Service to the Field Awards.

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Nominations are now being accepted for IDEC's Service to the Field Award

You are invited to submit the name of an individual for the Jeanette A. McCollum award for Service to the Field. This award is given to an individual who meets the high standards of professional practice set by Jeanette A. McCollum. Jeanette is a leader in research and personnel preparation in the field of early intervention/early childhood special education, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and has contributed significantly within Illinois and to the International Division for Early Childhood (DEC). Candidates for the Jeanette A. McCollum Award shall meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a professional in an agency or an organization in the field of early intervention/early childhood (0-8), family member, student or community member or an area that directly impacts on early intervention/early childhood (e.g., government);
  2. It is encouraged, but not required, that the candidate be a current member of DEC;
  3. Have made significant contributions on a state, regional, or local level which have improved or will improve the lives of young children with special needs, their families, or those who work on their behalf. Contributions may be in direct services, personnel preparation, leadership, policy development, research, advocacy, or publications and are supportive of the goals of Illinois and International DEC).

An award recipient shall receive a plaque or other commemorative award (e.g., trophy, statue, etc.), cash award, have her/his registration to the Sharing A Vision (SAV) conference waived, one-year complimentary membership into DEC/CEC, and have details of their award published in the Illinois DEC newsletter.

Please send nominations, letter of support outlining the three criteria above, and any additional supporting documentation by May 1, 2003. Send it to:

Susan Maude
46 Lookout Trace,
Galena, IL 61036
smaude@loras.edu

The outcome of this review process will be determined by August 15, 2003. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Susan at the contact information listed above.

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Check out the Illinois Early Learning Web Resource

What is the Illinois Early Learning Web Site?

The Illinois Early Learning Web site:

http://illinoisearlylearning.org

is an effective means of providing evidence-based, reliable information for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in the State of Illinois. The Web site offers printable Tip Sheets for caregivers and parents, Frequently Asked Questions (and their responses), a statewide calendar of events for parents and caregivers, an easy-to-use database of links to the best of the Web on topics of high interest, and Online Chats. The IEL Web site became publicly accessible in November 2001.

Who funds the site?

The Illinois State Board of Education has funded a group at the University of Illinois to select and create high-quality resources that respond to the early learning information needs of parents and educators in the State.

Who is responsible for this Web site?

The IEL staff at the University of Illinois has primary responsibility for the design and updating of the Web site, in close consultation with the Early Childhood Division of the Illinois State Board of Education. IEL staff work in the offices of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE), a federally funded information center that has been active in providing information to educators and parents since 1967. ERIC (the Educational Resources Information Center) is the national education information system funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about ERIC/EECE is available at the main ERIC/EECE Web site [IDEC Editor's note (02-26-04): On December 31, 2003, ERIC/EECE was discontinued. As a result, this URL is no longer active.]

How can I suggest additional resources for the IEL Web site?

Additional resources can be suggested for linking by sending us an email message. If you have other questions, or ideas for FAQs or other materials or activities, we invite you to contact the IEL Project staff.

Will there be an IEL workshop in my area of the state?

IEL is planning workshops around the state for parents, caregivers, teachers, and the early childhood community. Check our Workshop and Exhibit Schedule to find out when we'll be in your area.

Is there a person I can contact for more information?

Yes, you may contact IEL staff at:

Email: iel@uiuc.edu
Telephone at 800/583-4135 during business hours [IDEC Editor's note (01-08-04): This phone number has been changed to (877) 275-3227]
Fax at 217/333-3767 [IDEC Editor's note (07-02-04): This FAX number has been changed to (217) 244-7732]

ERIC/EECE's offices at:

Illinois Early Learning Project, ERIC/EECE
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Children's Research Center, 51 Gerty Drive
Champaign, IL 61820-7469

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Parent Web Resources

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
http://www.pacer.org

The National Parent Network on Disabilities
http://www.npnd.org

Parents As Teachers
http://www.parentsasteachers.org

National Parent Information Network (NPIN)
http://npin.org

NPIN Illinois
http://npinil.crc.uiuc.edu

Designs for Change
http://www.designsforchange.org

Family Resource Center on Disabilities
http://www.ameritech.net/users/frcdptiil/index.html

Family T.I.E.S. Network
http://taalliance.org/ptis.htm

National Center for Latinos with Disabilities
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~ncld/
[this url is no longer active, see: 1921 S. Blue Island Ave; Chicago, IL 60608; (312) 666-3393; (312) 666-1788 TTY]

For more Internet links, visit the
IDEC Web site today @ http://idec.crc.uiuc.edu/
(You are currently visiting this Web site!)

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It's time to move on. . .

Believe it or not, it has been two years since I started working on the IDEC Newsletter. Working with dedicated individuals across the state has been a wonderful experience. I have learned a great deal but now it's time to move on.

I now pass on the baton to the very capable hands of Amanda Quesenberry and Jill Tompkins of QIC-D, who have enthusiastically agreed to continue the work. We thank them in advance for volunteering their time and energy to this important task.

Future correspondence regarding the IDEC newsletter should be directed to Amanda or Jill at

QIC-D
Children's Research Center
51 Gerty Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217/333-3876

With heartfelt thanks!
AMY SANTOS

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Early Childhood Graduate Study Opportunities

Elmhurst College
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Elmhurst College

The Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education at Elmhurst College is an innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative program designed to prepare professionals to meet the increasing needs in the rapidly emerging field of early childhood special education.

Graduates will:

Feature Benefits:

Contact Information:

Dr. Therese Wehman, Program Coordinator
(630) 617-3231
theresew@elmhurst.edu

Elizabeth D. Kuebler, Director, Office of Graduate Admission
(630) 617-3069
betsyk@elmhurst.edu

ELMHURST COLLEGE WHAT COLLEGE OUGHT TO BE

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Special Education and Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers preparation at the MASTERS and DOCTORAL levels for students interested in pursuing work with young children and their families.

Students interested in Special Education may specialize in the infancy or preschool period or both. The program in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) emphasizes principles reflecting family-centered, interdisciplinary, community-based, and inclusive perspectives. Within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the early Childhood Education (ECE) leads toward teacher certification with a concentration in special education. Doctoral programs in each

Department encourages students to pursue individual interests related to all young children.

Applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For additional information contact:

Dr. Micki Ostrosky
Department of Special Education
288 Education, 1310 S. Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217/333-0260
Email: ostrosky@uiuc.edu

Dr. Daniel Walsh
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
306 Education, 1310 S. Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217/333-8061
danielw@uiuc.edu

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What's New * Upcoming Events * Opportunities

2002 CEC Annual Convention and Expo
April 3-6, 2002
New York, NY
For more information,
visit the CEC Web site at http://www.cec.sped.org
OR call CEC @ 1/888/232/7733

18th Annual DEC International Early Childhood Conference on Children with Special Needs
"Recommended Practices for the Changing Times"
 December 5-8, 2002
San Diego, CA
For more information, please contact:
DEC Conference and Logistics
703 Giddings Avenue, Suite U-3
Annapolis, MD 21401
410/269-6801