April 13, 2023 - Agenda and Meeting Report

Audience

Open to the general public.

Time

10:00am to 1:00pm

Location

Bone Student Center
200 North University Street
Normal, IL  61761

While council members are required to be in person, we have arranged for Zoom teleconferencing for those members of the public who wish to participate virtually. For those interested, please utilize the link below provided by Illinois Early Intervention Training to register for the meeting.

IICEI Registration: Thursday, April 13, 2023

Once you register, you will be provided with an immediate confirmation, that will indicate Zoom participation information will be forthcoming. You will receive an email with specific access instructions and your unique Zoom link closer to the meeting date.

Public Comment

The Council will open the floor to the public to allow comment for the last 10 minutes of the meeting. Time will be equally distributed between those members of the public who request to speak. For example, if five people request to speak, each person would be allowed two minutes each to share their comments. To request to speak, please send an email message to dhs.eiquestions@illinois.gov by Tuesday, April 11, 2023 so time may be equally distributed. You will receive a confirmation response with how long you will have to comment and instructions. On the day of the meeting, once you are signed in, place a comment in the chat area that you are present to make public comment.

If an individual does not wish to verbally comment or is unable to be present at the meeting to speak, written comments will be accepted through mail or email. All comments received will be shared with members of the council for review.

Public comments may be delivered:

  • at the end of the meeting until adjournment
  • by mail to IDHS - Bureau of Early Intervention, 823 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62701 or
  • by email at dhs.eiquestions@illinois.gov

Agenda

  • Call to Order 10:00am
  • Introduction of Council Members: Brenda Devito  10:00am - 10:10am
  • Approval of January 12, 2023, Draft Meeting Report: Brenda Devito 10:10am - 10:15am
  • Approval of February 8, 2023, Draft Meeting Report: Brenda Devito 10:15am - 10:20am
  • Message from the Parent 10:20am - 10:30am
  • Revisit of IICEI Organizational Practices and Handbook: Brenda Devito 10:30am - 11:10am
    • Decision-Making Process
    • Public Comment
  • New Telehealth Workgroup Charge 11:10am - 11:20am
  • Center of Equity and Excellence: Chelsea Guillen 11:20am - 11:50am
  • Progress of Demonstration Project for Modified Service Delivery Approaches: Benny Delgado 11:50am - 12:05pm
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: Benny Delgado 12:05pm - 12:10pm
  • Governor's Proposed Budget: Benny Delgado 12:10pm - 12:20pm
  • Workforce Issues/Internships: Benny Delgado 12:20pm - 12:30pm
  • Legislation: Benny Delgado 12:30pm - 12:45pm
  • Early Intervention/Extended Services (EI/ES)
    • Public Act 102-0926 - Substantiated Abuse/Neglect Auto Eligibility
    • Public Act 102-0962 - 30 days to IFSP Services
  • Public Comment Period 12:45pm - 12:55pm
  • Adjournment of Meeting: Brenda Devito 12:55pm - 1:00pm

Meeting Report

Attendees

IICEI Members In Attendance
Michelle Baldock, IL Dept. of Insurance No
Esther Beard, Advocate Representative No
Lisa Betz, IL Dept. of Human Services, Division of Mental Health No
Meghan Burke, Parent Representative No
Benny Delgado, IDHS, Chief, Bureau of Early Intervention Yes
Brenda Devito, Clearbrook, Chairperson Yes
Kristy Doan, IL State Board of Education No
Christine Doyle Morrison, Provider Representative Yes
Donna Emmons, Head Start Representative Yes
Chuck Farr, Child & Family Connections (CFC) 13 Program Manager, Rural Representative Yes
Michael Garner-Jones, IL Dept. of Human Services, Bureau of Subsidy Mgmt. (Child Care) Yes
Lynnette DeGraffenreid, Provider Representative Yes
Jennifer Gentile, IL Dept. of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities No
Margaret Harkness, IL Council on Developmental Disabilities Yes
Dee Dee Lowery, CFC 1 Program Manager, Urban Representative Yes
Ginger Mullin, IL Dept. of Public Health Yes
Rosie Perez, Parent Representative No
Nisha Sanghvi, Provider Representative Yes
Amy Santos, Personnel Preparation Representative No
Shelly Roat, IL Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) Yes
Kate Ulmer, ISBE, McKinney-Vento, Homeless Representative Yes
Marie Von DeBur, IL Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services Yes
Angel Williams, Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Yes
Amy Zimmerman, Advocate Representative No

Council Packet Contents

  • Agenda
  • Draft Council Meeting Report - January 12, 2023
  • Draft Council Meeting Report - February 8, 2023
  • Council Guidelines - 10/2001
  • IICEI Telehealth Workgroup Update
  • Center for Equity and Excellence Report w/Addendums
  • Demonstration Project for Modified Service Delivery Report
    • Scope of Modified Service Delivery Pilot Project Coordinator
  • EI/ES Survey from Providers and EI Stakeholders
  • Bureau Update Report
  • Early Intervention Program Caseload Summary Report for:
    • December 2022 - February 2023

Minutes

1) Call to Order: Brenda Delgado

Waiting on Quorum - Brenda Devito, Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:19 am

2) Introductions of Council Members: Brenda Delgado

Members introduced themselves and stated their agency/role on the Council.

Benny introduces Leslie Schwartz, IDHS, Associate Director of Programs - replaces Bethany Patton and is joining the meeting via Zoom. Leslie shares her background and career experiences.

3) Approval of the Draft Council Meeting Report - January 12, 2023

Christine M notes a typo on page three and requests the edit. Ginger M made a motion to approve the minutes with correction. Lynette D seconded. Motion passed.

4) Approval of the Council Meeting Report - February 8, 2023

Lynnette D made a motion to approve the minutes with correction to reflect Chuck Farr in Attendance. Christine M seconded. Motion passed.

Brenda notes that Public Comment is reserved to the last 10 minutes of the meeting and invites any who wishes to comment to make that request through the Zoom Chat feature.

5) Message from the Parent

Video presentation from parent, Dale Lundy, signing a brief message of gratitude to Illinois Early Intervention. His son is 100% deaf and receives early intervention services in his home. The home visits are very much appreciated.

Benny expresses his deep appreciation for the family perspective and his desire to be able to share messages that reflect the diversity of the families served by Illinois Early Intervention. The floor is opened to the council members for comment on this segment of the meeting agenda.

Ginger shares her appreciation for recognition of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. IDHHC.illinois.gov is a registry of ASL interpreters.

Discussion of the differences in credentialing processes and cost modeling between bilingual interpreters and sign language interpretation for the deaf/hard of hearing follows. It is agreed that quality interpretive services are crucial in overcoming language barriers in providing family services. In relationship to diversity, access and equity, further clarity in the processes related to Illinois Early Intervention and the various interpretive services available is worth consideration.

6) Revisit IICEI Organizational Practices and Handbook: Brenda Devito/Benny Delgado

* Decision-Making Process

After reviewing much information shared with council members over recent months, Brenda D. does not wish to make any motion at this time, but brought to the table for discussion the following proposals in expectation of moving forward with some clarity and resolve in the Council's decision-making process:

1) Reaching Consensus

a. In general, reach a consensus at one meeting.

b. If no consensus is reached, table the discussion until next meeting for further research and information to be gathered.

c. If still no consensus is reached at the next meeting, take a vote. To avoid issues ending in a stalemate when consensus is not reached, the Chair has the power to call for a vote.

It was noted that in the past issues were tabled because voting member(s) of the Council were not present at the meeting. Further discussion raised many unanswered questions:

- What are the rules for voting?

  • Is voting by proxy appropriate and within the guidelines of the Open Meetings Act?
  • What are the rules for voting by proxy?

- As a provider rep on the council, how do you vote by proxy?

- Can a proxy be used to establish quorum?

- Is early voting an option?

- Would allowing Family/Parent Reps share a council seat be worth looking into as an option for getting more parent engagement on the Council?

- Is there any process in place that parents and families can easily access and share their comments and concerns about early intervention that Council Members also have access?

Further clarity in the voting process is needed. Benny reiterated the importance of establishing By-Laws to clearly define these processes to allow the Council to move forward in all decision making. It was agreed that the diversity of this Council is by design and the voices it represents need to be heard with the Family/Parent voice is crucial to the work of the Council.

This engaged discussion continued with Council Members sharing insights and concerns including:

- How to further engage parents to ensure the Family perspective is heard. Parent representatives are often absent from meetings and the concern over the several vacant seats on the Council was expressed. The wait for information and the status of any appointments to those seats continues.

- It is recommended for Council Members be consistently advocating for all aspects of Early Intervention.

- Be prepared when coming to the table by doing the work required of their position prior to the quarterly meetings. The importance of having well-functioning work groups was discussed.

- It was acknowledged that the diversity of a workgroup that functions well and as a team leads to fair representation during the Council's decision-making process.

- Open communication and Council Members having access to information in a timely manner.

Benny shared that a MS Team has been created specifically for the Council and is to be developed as a repository for sharing information and collaboration among Council Members and workgroups. Project management apps within MS Teams are in the process of being implemented and will be accessible to all Members. Invites to join have been sent to members.

2) Guidelines for making decisions that need to be made in a timely manner before the next IICEI Meeting.

 Elements of the decision-making process Council Members concur on are that All Voices Be Heard and there is fair and equitable representation from all stakeholders and regions of the State.

A timeline for the decision-making process is imperative to allow the Council to move forward in its work. Benny offers a 6-month timeline as reasonable.

Brenda asks that the 3-part process she presented earlier be acceptable at this point allowing the Council to move forward in any future decision making and continue with the meeting's agenda.

Nisha reiterates the significance of establishing functioning Workgroups with all council members having access to the work within workgroups.

Brenda prefers consensus be made recognizing that there may be times this may be a challenge and some matters cannot be tabled.

Motions Made by Ginger Mullins to accept Brenda's proposal for the Council to make every effort to reach consensus at one meeting; if consensus cannot be made at that time, table and take the next three months to connect with workgroup(s) involved in the issue to gather further information and vote at the next meeting. If consensus still not met, then majority rules.

Motion seconded by Christine M. Motion carried.

* Public Comment

To maintain flexibility with current issues and meeting agendas, Brenda recommends that Public Comment will be offered generally at the last 10 minutes of the meeting agenda instead of stating a specific time in the Agenda for Public Comment to not become stated policy/practice. Those 10 minutes to divided equally among those requesting to make Public Comment.

Discussion includes Pro's and Con's of accepting Public Comment at various points in a meeting Agenda. To avoid confusion for all, Benny recommends specific guidelines with flexibility and The Chair having the final say.

Brenda requests that decisions regarding public comment processes be voted on at July meeting.

7) New Telehealth Workgroup Charge preliminary recommendations due Oct 31, 2023

Benny shares that Megan Burke, Parent Representative will continue as chair of workgroup.

Benny also shares that workgroups are to be posted to MS Teams and be comprised of the following components:

  • The Charge
  • The Deliverables/Measurables
  • Recommendations for Delivery Date

Regarding the Telehealth Workgroup:

 The Charge: Identify strategies to insure fidelity in the utilization of live video visits in early intervention including supports for providers and families

 The Deliverables:

  1. Develop a set of best practices for providers engaged in live video visits with families including guidelines for implementation, training requirements for providers prior to engagement and how to address family concerns as sessions are ongoing
  2. Identify strategies for addressing family perception and how to explain the journey to families so they are prepared to make regarding the implementation of this service delivery model
  3. Develop a family survey to determine what pre-expectations and post-experiences families have had who have engaged in LVV
  4. Focus on data regarding equity and review how families are experiencing LVV; identify patterns or unintended consequences to inform actionable steps for charges that need to be made. Benny would like this deliverable to also include more family demographic information to address equity.

Recommendation for Delivery Date: October 31, 2023.

DeeDee shares issues her CFC is experiencing with provider LVV practices and the need for some mechanism to measure the quality and practices of providers using LVV. Benny states that this input is important and encourages Council Members to use MS Teams to discuss workgroup related issues.

Council Members interested in participating in the Telehealth Workgroup are encouraged to reach out to Megan B.

It is also suggested that Workgroups have their charges broken down into smaller/short-term deliverables vs. waiting for the completion of entire Charge before moving to the Council for approval.

8) Center of Equity and Excellence: Chelsea Guillen

Chelsea Guillen provided an overview of CEE work. Council Members have received a packet of information including the full report prior to the meeting.

 This work results at the urging of Gov office of ECD and IDHS as part of Illinois' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through a partnership with IDHS Bureau of Early Intervention and the Early Intervention Training Program, the Center for Equity & Excellence examined strengths, gaps, and racial inequities in early intervention services and supports to children, birth to three, and their families.

Piloted within CFC Regions 6, 9, and 11, this project explored the following: 

  • Existing inequities in the access of service and participation in Illinois' EI System
  • The processes of identifying, assessing, enrolling and service delivery
  • The experiences of families of color and non-English speaking families in accessing and participating in early intervention services
  • The experiences of early intervention providers in their service delivery

Using data collected from 2021, Report Findings include:

  • White children exited the EI Program due to completing program objective approximately twice as often and children of color.
  • Special education eligibility was not determined for Black and Hispanic children at higher rates than other children.
  • There is a disproportionate representation of family race, ethnicity, and language in those that coordinate and provide services.
  • Unconscious biases occurring when class and color intersect with power and authority create challenges for removing barriers between families and providers. Language and cultural differences are often seen as problems to be solved over assets to be maximized.
  • The Pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges at every level of interaction in the System. The ongoing nature of this virus continues to challenge universal decision-making processes.
  • Supports exist within communities. Connecting with stakeholders can help move changes forward more quickly. Local contacts are often best equipped to serve as cultural brokers within their communities.

The report also includes recommendations to address the disparities of access, participation, and supports.

At this point, it was noted that the meeting is 30 minutes behind its agenda. The Chair asks if Council can stay beyond 1:00? Meeting will be extended to 1:20.

Returning to wrap up discussion of the CEE report, Brenda asks what follow up is needed/expected from the Council? Bureau?

Angel expressed her gratitude that recommendations presented closely align with the recommendations of the Modified Service Delivery workgroup.

It was also asked LGBTQ communities are reflected in this research.

It was asked whether parts of this work can be aligned with ARPA funds.

The development of short and long term goals to move this work forward is also suggested.

9) Progress of Demonstration Project for Modified Service Delivery Approaches: Benny Delgado

Benny notes that the Modified Service Delivery Approaches ties into the recommendations presented in the CEE report and asks the Council to consider the first steps needed to put this work in motion to make these recommendations happen? Nisha suggests the need to develop Workgroups aligned to recommendations.

Benny encourages council members use the MS Teams process to share information and strategies to form Workgroup charges and move forward with recommendations.

Project Coordinator, yet to be identified, will engage Council Members to flush out details of information and recommendations of previous Workgroups to determine charges of new Workgroups.

10) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: Benny Delgado

Benny reported that ARPA funds marked

  • Increasing Diversity in the Provider Pool.
  • Scaling up SSIP work
  • Clearinghouse in developing resources in other languages

Further clarity regarding the processes for determining how ARPA funds are spent is requested.

Benny will present to Council details by July meeting.

Council Members are encouraged to connect to MS Teams to share information.

11) Governor's Proposed Budget: Benny Delgado

Benny shared proposed $40 million increase in EI budget to begin next fiscal year.

Benny is also optimistic that this proposed budget will be passed.

12) Workforce Issues/Internships: Benny Delgado

Service Coordinator Internships In collabortion with UIC working to develop a pool of service coordinator internships of culturally diverse candidates to pilot with CFC's with potential of CFC employment

Discussion on various aspects of professional internships along with long-term financial support of such a program followed.

13) Legislation: Benny Delgado

* Early Intervention/Extended Services (EI/ES)

Survey feedback being evaluated.

* Public Act 102-0926 - Substantiated Abuse/Neglect Auto Eligibility

How to serve and support in accordance with OSEP.

Heather H reports that though law, we must work with DCFS to move forward.

* Public Act 102-0962 - 30 days to IFSP Services

14) State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP):

Due to time limitations nothing further to report.

15) Ongoing Updates

The Bureau provided an update on several areas within the packet sent on 04/06/23.

16) Public Comment Period

Zareen Kamal with Start Early shares that on April 18th, Early Childhood Advocacy Day will be held in the Rotunda at the State Capital. The Governor will be present address advocates for the States Start Smart Proposal. Stakeholders will be present to advocate for the passing of the Governor's Proposed Budget.

Frustration shared by Council members that IICEI meetings are often rushed. It was asked to consider shortening the agenda or making meetings longer and consider extending July's meeting to 1:30.

17) Adjournment

Nisha motioned to adjourn. Lynette seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm.

Contact Information

Jenni Grissom
IDHS - Bureau of Early Intervention
823 East Monroe Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Ph: 217/524-1596

Email: jennifer.grissom@illinois.gov

If you are in need of special accommodations, please email or call Jenni Grissom.