Why aren’t we serving enough infants in early intervention?
Q&A with Start Early’s Karen Berman on three reasons babies miss out and how Illinois is addressing the challenge
Babies with medical diagnoses and conditions with substantial risk of delay and disability are among our most vulnerable populations, yet too many of these babies and their families miss out on important early intervention (EI) services that could radically improve their long-term development. Children under age three who have or are at substantial risk for developmental delays and disabilities are entitled to EI services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part C). However, the EI system is overwhelmed and underfunded. I spoke to Karen Berman, Senior Director of Illinois Policy at Start Early, about the unique challenges for babies under age one and their families in accessing EI services. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. Learn More.