Early Intervention (EI) services provide support for infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have developmental delays. Coordinated through the local Child & Family Connections (CFC) office, the program guides families through referral, evaluation, and the creation of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Services may include speech, physical, occupational, developmental and social work therapies delivered in natural settings such as the home or childcare.
The goal of Early Intervention (EI) is to help infants and toddlers with developmental delays build the foundational skills they need for lifelong learning, growth, and participation in daily life. EI focuses on supporting the child’s development in areas such as communication, motor skills, social-emotional growth, and problem-solving, while also strengthening the family’s ability to support their child’s learning in everyday routines. The aim is to provide support as early as possible—when a child’s brain is developing most rapidly—so they can reach their fullest potential and transition smoothly into preschool and later educational settings.
Child & Family Connections (CFC) offices serve as the entry point for Early Intervention (EI) services. When a child is referred, the CFC assigns a service coordinator who partners with the family to complete evaluations, determine eligibility, and develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Once the IFSP is in place, the CFC connects the family with approved local providers, such as therapists or agencies (for example, Easterseals Joliet Region), who deliver the specific services outlined in the plan. These providers work directly with the child and family—often in the home or childcare setting—while the CFC continues to oversee the process, monitor progress, and coordinate changes as needed.
Easterseals Regional Pediatric Center provides:
- Autism Diagnostic Evaluation Clinic
- Developmental Screenings
- Developmental Therapy
- Seating, Mobility, & Adaptive Equipment Clinic
- Spasticity Management
- Speech/Language Therapy
- Parent Education and Support
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Homebound Services
- Inclusive Childcare
- The Family Center for Autism Resources
- Feeding Program
- Social Skills Groups/ Sib Shops
We see children in individual and group settings. Below is a description of each type of service.
Individual Sessions:
The Development Therapist works with the parent and child in an individualized session. Home program activities are provided for the family to implement at home.
Make the First Five Count
As part of the Make the First Five Count campaign, Easterseals Joliet Region is proud to offer a free online Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) for children birth to age five thanks to the generous support of CVS Health. The ASQ will showcase your child's developmental milestones while uncovering any potential delays. Please note that milestones are continuous throughout a child's first five years of life. It is important to keep up with your child's progress by taking the ASQ every three months. Is Your Child Under Age 5? Take the Developmental Milestones Screening Children develop skills, or "milestones," at their own pace. How is your child or grandchild doing?
Take the Screening here!
