Skip to main content

Starting July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood will officially become the lead agency for Child Care Licensing, Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant, Home Visiting, Early Intervention and the Child Care Assistance Program, Early Childhood Block Grant, and a range of other early childhood support to families, providers and educators.

Should you have any questions related to this transition please reference our Transition FAQ’s (PDF). Should you need further support visit our Contact page where you can submit your questions. We are excited to continue this journey with you!

Risk Factors Resulting In High Probability of Developmental Delay

Children residing in Illinois who are under the age of 3 years old and their families/caregivers are eligible for EI services when they are at risk for substantial developmental delay based on the following:

  • The child is the subject of a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect as defined in the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C § 5106) and in the Illinois Early Intervention Services System Act (325 ILCS 20/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 4153).
  • The child is at risk of substantial developmental delay, based on informed clinical opinion meaning a child was not able to be determined eligible under 9.1.1 or 9.1.2 of the CFC Procedure Manual but that there is a consensus of qualified staff based upon multidisciplinary evaluations and assessments that development of a DHS-determined eligible level of delay is probable if EI services are not provided, because a child is experiencing either:
  1. A parent who has been medically diagnosed as having a mental illness or serious emotional disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5) that has resulted in a significant impairment in the client's level of functioning in at least one major life functional area or a developmental disability; o
  2. Three or more of the following risk factors:
    1. Current alcohol or substance abuse by the primary caregiver;
    2. Primary caregiver who is currently less than 15 years of age;
    3. Current homelessness of the child. Homelessness is defined as children who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, in conformity with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act;
    4. Chronic illness of the primary caregiver;
    5. Alcohol or substance abuse by the mother during pregnancy with the child; or
    6. Primary caregiver with a level of education equal to or less than the 10th grade, unless that that level is appropriate to the primary caregiver's age.