Illinois early intervention, school special education, and adult or developmental-disability services are different systems. Use the correct public entry point for the person’s age, and keep a written timeline for each process.
Birth through age two: Early Intervention
Illinois families start early-intervention questions through a local Child and Family Connections (CFC) office. The state’s Early Intervention page links to the CFC office locator and family information.
When making a referral, describe the specific communication, play, movement, sensory, feeding, or daily routine concerns. Ask for the intake date, service coordinator, evaluation process, consent requirements, and expected transition planning before the third birthday.
CFC contact sheet
- CFC office and service area confirmed
- Referral date and intake contact
- Family language and access needs
- Evaluation appointments
- Written eligibility decision or IFSP
- Transition meeting and next-system contact
School evaluation and IEP support
Contact the local school district when a disability may affect educational access or progress. The Illinois State Board of Education maintains a parent and guardian special education page with the state’s Educational Rights and Responsibilities guide, records organizer, and parent training information.
In a written evaluation request, explain observable educational needs. Examples include functional communication, access to instruction, participation, transitions, sensory barriers, school daily living, or safety. Ask the district to identify the responsible contact, current procedures, and next written notice.
Prepare with the autism IEP goals examples and worksheet. A useful goal connects the student’s present level to a meaningful educational outcome and a clear progress measure.
Developmental disability services and waiver entry
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services publishes the official developmental disabilities home and community-based waiver page. It identifies the Pre-Admission Screening or Independent Service Coordination pathway as the point of entry and provides the state’s developmental disabilities helpline.
Ask the official entry point to explain the current eligibility, prioritization, waiting-list, assessment, and enrollment steps. These are not interchangeable. Save the date and confirmation whenever a name, address, phone number, or level of need is updated.
Illinois also provides a public developmental disabilities service finder for state contacts.
DD services tracker
- Local PAS or ISC agency
- Date first contacted
- Application or database status
- Assessments and documents requested
- Current contact information confirmed
- Next follow-up date and responsible person
Transition before the third birthday
Do not wait until Early Intervention has ended to ask who receives the school referral. Record which CFC and district staff are responsible, what evaluations can be shared with consent, and whether additional school evaluation is planned.
Verify before acting
Program details and procedures can change. Confirm deadlines, eligibility, coverage, and appeal rights directly with the linked agency. This guide organizes official entry points; it is not legal, medical, Medicaid, or benefits advice.
Browse all state resource guides or use the free autism skills library to organize priorities before the next meeting.