Audience
Open to the general public.
Time
10:00am to 1:30pm
Location
Due to the current pandemic, this meeting will be held via Zoom teleconferencing. To participate, please utilize the link below provided by Illinois Early Intervention Training to register for the meeting.
IICEI Registration: Thursday, July 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.
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Introduction of Council Members: Brenda Devito
- Approval of April 13, 2023, Draft Meeting Report: Brenda Devito
- Message from the Parent
- Cross State Research
- Telehealth Workgroup Update
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: Benny Delgado
- Workforce Workgroup: Benny Delgado
- Legislation: Benny Delgado
- Public Act 102-0926 - Substantiated Abuse/Neglect Auto Eligibility
- Public Act 102-0962 - 30 days to IFSP Services
- Fiscal Workgroup
- MS Teams Follow-up
- Public Comment Period
- Adjournment of Meeting: Brenda Devito
Meeting Report
Attendees
| IICEI Members |
In Attendance |
| Amy Santos, Personnel Preparation Representative |
No |
| Amy Zimmerman, Child Advocacy Representative |
Yes |
| Angel Williams, Illinois Department of Child and Family Services - Erikson Institute |
Yes |
| Benny Delgado, IDHS, Chief, Bureau of Early Intervention |
Yes |
| Brenda Devito, Clearbrook, Chairperson |
Yes |
| Christine Doyle Morrison, Provider Representative |
Yes |
| Chuck Farr, Child & Family Connections (CFC) 13 Program Manager, Rural Representative |
Yes |
| Dee Dee Lowery, CFC 1 Program Manager, Urban Representative |
Yes |
| Donna Emmons, Head Start Representative, Early Head Start |
Yes |
| Esther Beard, Advocate Representative |
Yes |
| Ginger Mullin, IL Dept. of Public Health |
No |
| Jennifer Gentile, IL Dept. of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities |
Yes |
| Kate Ulmer, ISBE, McKinney-Vento, Homeless Representative |
No |
| Kristy Doan, IL State Board of Education |
Yes |
| Lisa Betz - IDHS-Division of Mental Health |
Yes |
| Lynnette DeGraffenreid, Provider Representative |
Yes |
| Margaret Harkness, IL Council on Developmental Disabilities |
Yes |
| Marie Von DeBur, IL Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services |
No |
| Matthew Pickett, IL Dept. of Insurance |
Yes |
| Meghan Burke, Parent Representative |
Yes |
| Michael Garner-Jones, IL Dept. of Human Services, Bureau of Subsidy Mgmt. (Child Care Systems) |
Yes |
| Nisha Sanghvi, Provider Representative |
Yes |
| Rosie Perez, Parent Representative |
No |
| Shelly Roat, IL Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) |
Yes |
Council Packet Contents
- Agenda
- Draft Council Meeting Report - April 13th, 2023
Meeting Minutes
1) Call to Order
Brenda Devito, Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:00 am
2) Introductions of Council Members
Members introduced themselves and stated their agency/role on the Council.
3) Approval of the Draft Council Meeting Report - April 13, 2023
Nisha recommends making revision to page 4 of the minutes under
'Guidelines for Making Decisions' regarding establishing functioning workgroups too include "with all council members having access to the work within workgroups". With the revision Lynette makes motion to approve with revision. Christi seconded. Lisa B and Matthew P abstain as they were not present at the April meeting. Motion carried.
4) Message from the Parent - Benny introduced parent, Kesha Harris.
In a video presentation Kesha shared that prior to her early intervention experience, she had never heard of Early Intervention. A new mom with significant concerns over her your child's speech and communication development, Keesha, not knowing what else to do, turned to her pediatrician for help. Kesha shared her concerns with her pediatrician, yet the doctor made no mention of early intervention services available.
New to Illinois Keesha had reached out to all she could find for help, but still no mention of early intervention. By the time her son had turned 2, her pediatrician recommended private speech therapy. At about that same time, a friend new to her area recommended early intervention. Keesha quickly made contact and evaluation was scheduled before she could get into private therapy. Once connected with early intervention, Kesha reported that she did not have to wait long for services to begin and her son was quick to make progress. She expressed extreme gratitude for her early intervention experiences. Keesha also shared her concern for other parents who, like her, could benefit from early intervention but are not aware of the services available to them.
With the focus of early intervention on families, Benny asked council members to share any responses or key take aways from Keesha's story. It was agreed that family awareness was an issue years ago and still is today. Thoughts shared included:
- A need to push information to pediatricians and medical practices.
- Bridge gaps in awareness - anyone can make a referral to early intervention.
- Continued need for access and equity to make sure that all parents are made aware.
- Touchpoints beyond pediatricians - OBGYNE, Prenatal classes, and NICU
- A need for several options and opportunities to share early intervention referral resources while sensitive to the needs of families, who are often overwhelmed at the time they likely need them.
- No one knows a child better than their parents. Be respectful and Listen.
It was agreed that there continues to be work done to improve public awareness and to ensure equity in access to early intervention for all families.
5) Cross State Research
Video Presentation by Ted Burke - Improving Service Coordination and Provider Services in Illinois. Ted, an Early Intervention and Early Childhood consultant with a long history in Illinois was brought in on this project to review the delays in service delivery and lack of service providers.
Review of the Problem: Address barriers for children and families to access services across the state- more specifically racial and geographic disparities in service delivery in the Illinois EI System and the issues around service coordination and provider availability. There is a high turnover and vacancies for service coordinators and low provider compensation and lack of support in the current contract model.
Projective Objective: The goal of this project through the support of the BUILD Initiative is to conduct multi-state research to inform Illinois how other states are addressing such issues with the focus on ensuring equitable access for all eligible families.
This project began in May meeting with IDHS and core stakeholders to gather information and define the project. Next steps include focus groups with Illinois providers, service coordinators, and families currently in the Illinois EI system to determine short and longer term needs in Illinois, then to reach out across to approximately 6 states' Part C Coordinators, their designees, and stakeholders to conduct focus groups within the selected states. Information gathered will be synthesized in September/October with findings and recommendations reported in October.
Benny further shared the work of the BUILD Initiative and the funds/resources it provided to support this project. Ted has been forwarded information and resources from the Modified Service Delivery Approaches recommendations to help address the overlap between these projects.
A brief discussion identifying the Stakeholders involved in this project was held emphasizing the significance of involving all, including families, from the beginning.
6) Telehealth Workgroup Update
It was announced that Megan Burke is making a career move and will be leaving Illinois. Appreciation for her work in Illinois, specifically with her efforts to ensure that families are heard in Illinois Early Intervention as well as her work with the Telehealth Workgroup is expressed.
Dee Dee and Shelly are now Co-Chairs this Workgroup. Megan will assist in the transition. The Bureau offers full support to the reorganization of this Workgroup to maintain the fidelity and quality of all that has been set in place.
It was also announced that Heather Hofferkamp is also making a career move and leaving IDHS Bureau of Early Intervention. Her leadership, as Interim Bureau Chief, through challenges of the pandemic is much appreciated.
Nisha asks how the Bureau will be supported during the crucial time of major transition addressing the many vacant positions. Benny affirmed his commitment to the work of the Bureau to prioritize and meet the needs of families in early intervention. It is common for hiring processes within State systems to be slow moving. He continues to reach out to DEC the Division of Early Childhood and EI partnerships for support.
Are there any updates on Council Vacancies? Benny reported that he has continued to reach out for support stressing the urgency of Council seats to be filled. We are another step closer as the Nomination Forms have been updated as requested by the State. A list of nominees is in the hands of those who are to schedule a meeting to further discuss that list. Benny expects a meeting that will include the Associate Director to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Brenda suggests a TEAMS chat for guidance to Council Members as to how to further advocate for action in filling vacancies.
7) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: Benny Delgado
Of the $8MM in ARPA funds awarded, $3MM has been obligated towards the EI Clearinghouse to translate document in several languages, the new data base system, and to training and monitoring in support of the State Systemic Improvement Plan. The remaining $5MM will be utilized to support the workforce with priorities that recognize the value of EI providers and promote the outreach, recruitment, and retention of EI providers. Options to offer financial incentives for service coordinators and providers with active caseloads are being explored.
An updated status report of ARPA funds is in process and will be made available to the council.
Benny reported that the EI Clearinghouse project of translation of documents was temporarily put on hold due to recent changes in legislation. Meetings with the Clearinghouse are ready to resume moving the project forward with the review of documents.
Benny also gave a brief update of the new Data Base System. The Discover Phase is complete with current work being the use of co-tables and cross-referencing fields from the Cornerstone system with the Illinois Kidz system. Weekly meetings with the project manager, cfc managers, service coordinators and other stakeholders are held to further develop co-tables. DoIt, the Information/Technology center is also working on processes to support access to the new system. Stakeholders will continue to provide input. Benny is hopeful that a live system for preview will be available soon.
8) Workforce Workgroup: Benny Delgado
Benny discusses the Charge of this new workgroup and seeks Council support. In consideration of the recent and current work addressing aspects of Illinois' early intervention workforce, Benny highlighted information presented in the Council Packet, that he hopes this workgroup to consider.
a. Recruitment Strategies attracting professionals into the System - developing partnerships with colleges/universities.
b. Cultural Diversity and Workforce Competencies - ensuring a diverse workforce representative of the families served.
c. Compensation and Benefits - Cost Modeling and understanding the true costs of delivering equitable services to families.
d. Support & Wellbeing - supporting the emotional wellbeing of early intervention providers and reflective supervision.
e. Data and Research - analyzing current data and getting input on other data and data sources to consider helping to broaden the provider pool.
f. CE work on the Grow Your Own models.
Nisha agreed that all this work is very important yet concerned at the enormity of the charge. It is overwhelming. Is it possible to streamline or provide direction/guidance as to how to address and meet the overall objectives efficiently. Christi also agreed that this workgroup charge is huge and much to expect from council member volunteers and suggested the selection of members for this workgroup be categorized and a diverse group that includes pre-service representation. Regarding a focus on pre-service, Lisa adds the importance of high school as a targeted market. Nisha emphasized the importance of diverse representation in this workgroup.
The possibility of sub-groups of this workgroup is briefly discussed. Brenda asks for the deliverables of this workgroup to be prioritized to better manage coordination and the focus of this group.
Benny stated the two immediate high priorities of this workgroup are the Cross-State Research Project and Cost Modeling. Benny also stresses that although not stated as one of the two top priorities, it is crucial for the underlying need for access/equity/diversity to be actively threaded through all priorities/deliverables.
Brenda asks that Council members interested in participating and recommendations for Workgroup members to be emailed to her within 1-2 weeks. Benny would like to have members identified within the upcoming month.
9) Legislation: Benny Delgado
* Public Act 102-0926 - Substantiated Abuse/Neglect Auto Eligibility
A workgroup within the EI Bureau sent preliminary recommendations to the Bureau to move forward with DCFS in the implementation of this charge. Christi and Angel, part of this workgroup, indicated that some clarity was still needed with the recommendations sent and whether this workgroup should remain active until resolved.
Nisha asked if appropriate DCFS background checks are in place for EI providers? Requirements are not consistent across all Systems and raised the need for this to be addressed to ensure early intervention providers are qualified to serve children in care of the State in daycare settings. Discussion of the discrepancies within and between the systems indicates that these issues are not new. Donna offered her insights into these ongoing issues across many sectors of DCFS. Benny will continue to follow up to ensure that obstacles for early intervention services to daycares are addressed so all children can receive services.
* Public Act 102-0962 - 30 days to IFSP Services
Work continues to meet compliancy with OSEP
Regarding ESY - Current #s are not available. Benny estimates an increase of families utilizing extended services. Discussion, again, turns to the need for providers and the importance of the new Workforce Workgroup.
10) Fiscal Workgroup
Benny requests the consideration of creating a Fiscal Workgroup to be a standing workgroup with the intentions of Council having input and the ability to advise how funds are being spent in Illinois Early Intervention in accordance with Federal and State requirements. This Workgroup is also to investigate funding sources and funding options available. Brenda asks to prioritize coordinating this Workgroup and that anyone interested or has an aptitude for fiscal matters to email her.
11) Microsoft Teams Follow-Up
Benny discussed the status of MS Teams. Set up for open communication and access to Council Members continues. Benny is working with Katie to schedule a live training session with Council Members. Those who struggle with access are asked to contact Katie.
Miscellaneous/Other
Nisha would like to bring up an issue with the authorization timelines. It was brought to her attention that there are providers being dinged because of delays in a 14-day timeline and request guidance as to how to resolve the matter. From the CFC perspective, Dee Dee does not understand how this is an issue as documentation should be enough.
Nisha also brings up issues with HIPPA platforms for live video visits, meetings, and interpreters. Is there guidance and/or a list of approved HIPPA compliant platforms to be used in Illinois Early Intervention?
Benny advises the importance of each provider having HIPPA policies in place that includes a Business Associate Agreement with a secured platform.
Nisha also asks for clarity on IFSP Development time.
12) Public Comment Period
No Public Comment. However,
Questions posted in the chat include the Possibility of using ARPA funds for eligible EI SC and providers to participate in the learning process, certification, and build expertise in the workforce regarding mental health principles and using a trauma-informed approach.
Other comments in chat ask about the status of the Family Fees.
13) Adjournment
With no other comments, Brenda asked for a motion to adjourn. Amy Z motioned to adjourn. Angel W seconded. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm
Contact Information
Katie Jacobs
IDHS - Bureau of Early Intervention
823 East Monroe Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Ph: 217/299-7158
Email: katie.jacobs@illinois.gov
If you are in need of special accommodations, please email or call Katie Jacobs.
