A Sound Investment in Our Children

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  • HOME
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    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
      • FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS & HEARING LEVELS
      • TYPES OF HEARING TESTS
      • AUDIOGRAM
      • EARLY INTERVENTION
      • MUSIC ENRICHMENT FOR BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K TO 2ND GRADE
      • LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
      • SCHOOL CHOICE
    • GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
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  • PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
      • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
        • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP
        • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
        • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
        • MUSIC ENRICHMENT FOR BIRTH TO AGE 3
        • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
      • EARLY CHILDHOOD VIDEOS
      • MUSIC THERAPY
    • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
      • AGES AND STAGES
      • LITERACY
      • HART FAMILY EDUCATION COORDINATOR
    • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
      • FREE FAMILY EVENTS
      • DR. NANCY YOUNG, MD
      • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
      • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
  • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
    • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
    • MUSIC ENRICHMENT VIDEOS
  • EVENTS
    • 2023 Rock The Town For Hearing
  • BLOGS & NEWSLETTERS
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Menu
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • ASSOCIATE BOARD
    • ADVISORY BOARD
    • HISTORY
    • PARTNERSHIPS
    • FINANCIALS
  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
      • FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS & HEARING LEVELS
      • TYPES OF HEARING TESTS
      • AUDIOGRAM
      • EARLY INTERVENTION
      • MUSIC ENRICHMENT FOR BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K TO 2ND GRADE
      • LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
      • SCHOOL CHOICE
    • GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
    • HIGH SCHOOL
  • PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
      • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
        • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP
        • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
        • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
        • MUSIC ENRICHMENT FOR BIRTH TO AGE 3
        • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
      • EARLY CHILDHOOD VIDEOS
      • MUSIC THERAPY
    • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
      • AGES AND STAGES
      • LITERACY
      • HART FAMILY EDUCATION COORDINATOR
    • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
      • FREE FAMILY EVENTS
      • DR. NANCY YOUNG, MD
      • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
      • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
  • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
    • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
    • MUSIC ENRICHMENT VIDEOS
  • EVENTS
    • 2023 Rock The Town For Hearing
  • BLOGS & NEWSLETTERS
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    • NEWSLETTERS
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LEARN ABOUT OUR ANNUAL APPEAL

EARLY INTERVENTION

The Early Intervention Program in Illinois provides an array of services, designed to provide families with resources and support to assist them in fostering their child’s development. Early Intervention service providers will help you learn strategies to optimize your child’s language learning, communication, and language development. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. As a caregiver, you have the capacity to significantly shape your child’s development.

Overview of the Illinois Early Intervention Program

When your child has been identified with a hearing loss issue you will be contacted by multiple organizations to help guild you through this process.  Below is an overview of these organizations and the work they do. 

The Illinois Early Intervention Program

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Your Early Intervention therapist is here to guide you with helpful strategies to build skills for developing listening, speech, and language.  YOU are the expert on your child, the therapist is there for support.

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ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS)

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) is the lead agency for Early Intervention Services in Illinois. The BUREAU OF EARLY INTERVENTION is part of DHS and is responsible for provider oversight and ensuring federal rules and regulations regarding early intervention are implemented.

CHILD AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS (CFC)

CHILD AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS (CFC) serves as the regional partner for DHS and they have regional offices throughout Illinois. CFC offices are responsible for managing referrals to EI, determining eligibility for services, the development of the initial Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), referral to EI service providers, and transition to school based services at age three.

DESIGNATED SERVICE COORDINATORS (DSC)

DCS’s have specialized backgrounds in the area of deafness and are uniquely situated to provide information specific to your child’s hearing, language, and communication needs.

SERVICE COORDINATOR
Your service coordinator will be employed by CFC, to work with your family and ensure that you and your child receive all necessary services and supports. The service coordinator links families to resources and informs family members of their rights, obligations and responsibilities under the Early Intervention Services System. The service coordinator  assists you and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team members in the develop- ment and implementation of the IFSP. The service coordinator also assists in your child’s transition out of the Early Intervention Services System as they approach three.
FAMILY RIGHTS
FAMILY RIGHTS
in Early Interventioninclude: the right to a timely and free evaluation, development of a coordinated plan (IFSP), privacy, consent or refusal of services, prior  notice of all meetings, evaluations, and changes in service, review of your child’s records, understanding of information, and the right to disagree. For more information about family rights in Early Intervention, refer to the booklet, State of Illinois Infant/Toddler and Family Rights Under IDEA for the Early Intervention System

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When working with providers, it’s important to ask a variety of questions in order to find a provider who is qualified, who you feel comfortable with, and who can help you achieve your goals for your child.

Here are suggested questions to ask the provider:

  • What is your background or degree?
  • What training and experience do you have with hearing loss?
  • What training and experience do you have with infants and toddlers?
  • What is your communication philosophy?
  • How do you feel about a family using more than one communication Adoption and therapies?
  • How will you help my child?
  • Why do you do this work?
  • Can you help me find additional resources if needed?
  • Can you explain the transition process out of earlyintervention?

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ELIGIBILITY

Early Intervention ELIGIBILITY refers to meeting the criteria that is established in Illinois to qualify for services. Determination of eligibility for Early Intervention occurs once the audiological screening, evaluation and assessments have been completed and received by the CFC. Children with a diagnosed hearing loss are eligible for the early intervention services  if they are experiencing developmental delays of at least 30% in one or more areas of development. However, a child is automatically eligible for the early intervention program if he/she has been diagnosed with

    • a hearing level of 30 decibels (dB) or greater at any two of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hertz (Hz), OR
    • A hearing level of 35 dB or greater at any one of the following frequencies: 500, 1000 and 2000 (Hz) involving one or both ears.
INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP)

INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP) will be developed. The IFSP is both a process and a written document that considers your family’s identified priorities, concerns, resources and important outcomes for you and your family. The IFSP will identify the types of services you and your child will need to reach your outcomes. The IFSP is reviewed and updated every six months with the entire IFSP team. As your child grows and changes, your family may need different services. Although the IFSP is reviewed every 6 months, it can be reviewed and changed more often as needed.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
  • SERVICE PROVIDERSare qualified professionals with an IL Early Intervention Credential, who work closely with you and your family to ensure you receive the appropriate education, resources, and supports to assist you with reaching your identified IFSP outcomes. The most common services required for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing include:
    • assistive technology (hearing aids, ear molds, cochlear implants, BAHA, etc),
    • audiology (amplification fitting, follow-up, monitoring),
    • aural rehabilitation (developmental therapist/hearing),
    • counseling,
    • service coordination
    • speech therapy
    • family support (interpreter, deaf mentor).

You and the IFSP team will discuss the service options which will best support you and your family in reaching your IFSP goals.

DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPIST - HEARING SPECIALIST (DTH)

DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPIST – HEARING SPECIALIST (DTH) is a professional with extensive knowledge regarding hearing loss and has a degree in deaf education. A DTH provides services that are specific to your infant’s overall development as it is directly affected by the hearing loss. DTHs can help you through the maze of amplification options, communication and language options, educational choices, assistive technology, and social issues. DTHs can explain and support the language acquisition strategies for your child who is deaf or hard of hearing.

DEAF MENTORS

DEAF MENTORS are for families choosing ASL.
The mentors are adults who have a hearing loss, and consider themselves a part of the Deaf community. They will make regular visits to your home to interact with your child and to share their language, culture, and personal knowledge on deafness. Deaf mentors provide a communication model, as well as a connection to the Deaf community.

PARENT LIAISONS

PARENT LIAISONS are parents of children with hearing loss who have experienced the Early Intervention System first-hand, and can help other parents who are going through the same process.

MORE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES

CDC HEARING LOSS - PLAN FOR YOUR CHILD

In addition to the services described above, Early Intervention also provides services in the areas of:

  • physical development (movement),
  • cognitive development (learning),
  • communication development (interaction),
  • social or emotional development (behavior),
  • adaptive development (use of existing skills).

Your service coordinator will explain these services to you. After identifying your family’s priorities and concerns, you and the IFSP team will determine appropriate outcomes and strategies to help support you and your child’s growth towards those outcomes.  Remember that you, the parent, are part of the team and an important voice.

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As you begin the journey of Early Intervention, you may want to connect with the organizations on our RESOURCES PAGE for additional information and services. 

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BIRTH TO AGE 3

AGES & STAGES

PARENT RESOURCES

HEARING TECHNOLOGY

Every contribution to FHSR helps improve the lives of children with hearing loss. 

We hope you will consider making a gift to support these children.  Thank you!

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A Sound Investment in Our Children

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  • HOME
  • PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
      • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
        • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
        • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
        • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
      • EARLY CHILDHOOD VIDEOS
      • MUSIC THERAPY
    • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
      • AGES AND STAGES
        • BIRTH TO AGE 3
        • PRESCHOOL
        • GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
        • HIGH SCHOOL
      • HART FAMILY EDUCATION COORDINATOR
      • LITERACY
    • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
      • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
      • FREE FAMILY EVENTS
        • CHEERS FOR EARS
        • BOWLING WITH FRIENDS
        • MOVE FOR KIDS
      • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
        • SPEAKER SERIES
  • PARENT RESOURCES
  • PARTNERSHIPS
  • EVENTS
  • ABOUT US
  • INSIGHTS
    • BLOG
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT
Menu
  • HOME
  • PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
      • MUSIC TO MY EARS – MTME
        • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (UP TO AGE 4)
        • INDIVIDUAL & GROUP INSTRUMENT CLASSES (AGE 4 -12)
        • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
      • EARLY CHILDHOOD VIDEOS
      • MUSIC THERAPY
    • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
      • AGES AND STAGES
        • BIRTH TO AGE 3
        • PRESCHOOL
        • GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
        • HIGH SCHOOL
      • HART FAMILY EDUCATION COORDINATOR
      • LITERACY
    • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
      • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
      • FREE FAMILY EVENTS
        • CHEERS FOR EARS
        • BOWLING WITH FRIENDS
        • MOVE FOR KIDS
      • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
        • SPEAKER SERIES
  • PARENT RESOURCES
  • PARTNERSHIPS
  • EVENTS
  • ABOUT US
  • INSIGHTS
    • BLOG
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT

FHSR is a qualified 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization. Tax ID number 36-6082810.

Gold Site Bug

FHSR’s MARCOM Gold Award-Winning Website was developed in collaboration with Carlson Integrated, LLC.

MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talents exceed a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were over 6,000 entries from 41 countries in the MarCom Awards 2021 competition.

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