Special Education - EI Child & Family Connections (25-444-84-2880-01) Grant

Funder: Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Early Childhood

The Special Education - EI Child & Family Connections program, administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, aims to establish Child and Family Connections offices across designated areas in Illinois. These offices serve as regional intake points for the Early Intervention Program, facilitating access to essential services for children under three years old, particularly those affected by abuse or neglect. This initiative ensures equitable intake and coordination of services statewide.

NOTE: The applicant has met the Prequalification and Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding.
Program Summary
Introduction to the funding opportunity:Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Bureau of Early Intervention (EI) seeks agencies located within Illinois to serve as the Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices for designated geographic areas.Description of the purpose and scope:CFC offices are the regional intake entities defined in state statute (325 ILCS 20) and rule (89 IL Admin. Code 500 Section 500.45) as IDHS's designated entity responsible for implementation of the EI Program within its designated geographic area. IDHS is required to assure the designation of regional points of entry to accomplish consistent and equitable intake and service coordination throughout the State, with services defined in 89 IL Admin. Code 500 Section 500.45.
Program Overview
Background and Context:The EI Program is a statewide program for the evaluation and assessment of eligible children under 36 months of age; Any child under the age of 3 who is the subject of a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect as defined in the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and in Illinois Act (325 ILCS 20/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 4153); or children engaged with Extended Services with any of the following conditions - please see here for more information.