Illinois Administrative Code
Title 89 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Part 500 - EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Subpart E - PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS/CLIENT RIGHTS
Appendix C - Requirements for Professional and Associate Level Early Intervention (EI) Credentialing and Enrollment to Bill

EI SERVICE

QUALIFIED STAFF

Assistive Technology

Durable medical equipment and supplies; providers may enroll to bill. No credential required.

Audiology, Aural Rehabilitation/Other Related Services

Audiologists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may enroll to bill. Audiologists are not required to obtain a credential. (Provider is automatically enrolled under assistive technology and aural rehabilitation categories.)

Speech/Language Pathologists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist credential and enroll to bill for aural rehabilitation services. (Provider is automatically enrolled under aural rehabilitation and speech therapy categories.)

Individuals with a masters in speech-language pathology who are participating in a supervised professional experience and hold a temporary license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Associate: Speech/Language Pathologist in supervised professional experience credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Individuals with a current Special Education degree for Deaf and Hard of Hearing may apply for an EI Specialist: Developmental Therapist/Hearing credential and enroll to bill for aural rehabilitation services. May also provide Developmental Therapy Services. (Provider is automatically enrolled under aural rehabilitation category.)

Clinical Assessment, Counseling, and Other Therapeutic Services

Clinical Psychologists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Clinical Psychologist credential and enroll to bill.

Clinical Professional Counselors with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential and enroll to bill.

Marriage and Family Therapists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential and enroll to bill.

Clinical Social Workers with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential and enroll to bill.

Behavior Analysts with current national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board may apply for an EI Specialist: Behavior Analyst credential and enroll to bill.

Unlicensed individuals employed by school districts as School Psychologists who will only be providing services through their school employment may apply for an EI Specialist: School Psychologist credential.

Graduate students in clinical psychology or clinical counseling who submit a letter from the graduate school verifying that they are providing psychological or clinical counseling services in a supervised internship setting in order to complete a comprehensive, culminating training experience prior to granting of a graduate degree in psychology may apply for an EI Associate: Psychology/Counseling Intern credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Developmental Therapy

Individuals with an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential on January 1, 2004 or who are applying for an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential prior to January 1, 2004 must have (1) a minimum of Teacher Endorsement in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Special Education or bachelors degree in ECE, Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education, or human service field with one year of experience working hands on with children birth to 3 with developmental disabilities (Persons with a degree in a human service field must submit proof of training on the use of a formal assessment tool that would allow the provider to perform global evaluations/assessments.); or (2) a current license in art, music, recreation, or other type of therapy, rehabilitative or habilitative in nature, in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for credential renewal or, prior to January 1, 2004, may apply for an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential and enroll to bill.

Individuals who do not hold an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential on January 1, 2004 must have a bachelors degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education, Special Education: Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Partially Sighted, Child Development/Family Studies, EI, Elementary Education, Developmental Psychology, or Social Work; or with a bachelors degree or higher and a full specialist credential in the EI Program; or a current license in art, music, recreation, or other type of therapy, rehabilitative or habilitative in nature, in the state where they provide services to Illinois children; and can document the completion of educational experiences as approved by the Department that include at least 2 semester college hours or the equivalent (30 clock hours or CEU credit hours) in each of the following EI core knowledge content areas: the Development of Young Children; Typical and Atypical; Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities; Intervention Strategies for Young Children with Special Needs; and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs; and can submit proof of training on the use of a formal assessment tool that would allow the provider to perform global evaluations/assessments may apply for an EI Specialist: Developmental Therapist credential and enroll to bill.

Individuals who do not hold an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential on July 1, 2013 may apply for an EI Specialist Developmental Therapist credential and enroll to bill if they:

(1) have a bachelors degree or higher in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education, Special Education: Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Partially Sighted, Child Development, EI or Elementary Education, or from an EI approved college/university program (i.e., a program for which the Department or its designee has determined that the degree is equivalent to one of the above stated degrees); and (2) can document the completion of educational experiences as approved by the Department that include at least 2 semester college hours of, or the equivalent (30 clock hours or CEU credit hours) in, each of the following EI core knowledge content areas: the Development of Young Children, Typical and Atypical; Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities; Intervention Strategies for Young Children with Special Needs; and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs; and (3) can submit proof of training on the use of a formal assessment tool that would allow the provider to perform global evaluations and assessments.

An emergency waiver of educational requirements for developmental therapists may be applied for and must be accompanied by the recommendation of a regional intake entity manager documenting the need for developmental therapy services in the service area. A bachelors degree or higher is required. If approved, the resulting temporary credential will be awarded for a maximum of 18 months. A training plan toward qualification for full credential status must be submitted with the emergency waiver application.

Individuals with a Special Education degree for Deaf and Hard of Hearing may apply for an EI Specialist: Developmental Therapist/Hearing credential and enroll to bill. They may also provide aural rehabilitation services based on their qualifications and experience. (Provider is automatically enrolled under aural rehabilitation category.)

Individuals with (1) a bachelors degree or higher in Orientation and Mobility or (2) a Special Education degree for Blind and Partially Seeing may apply for an EI Specialist: Developmental Therapist/Vision credential and enroll to bill. They may provide Developmental and/or Vision Therapy services related to visual functioning based on their qualifications and experience. (Provider is automatically enrolled under the vision category.)

Evaluation/Assessment

Individuals with a current EI Full Specialist credential and who also meet all the following requirements may apply for an Evaluation/Assessment credential:

Documentation of a minimum of three years (full time equivalent) pediatric experience within the EI Specialist credentialed discipline is required with no less than 20% of that experience (750 direct service hours) related to infants and toddlers between birth and three years of age or the equivalent, with a minimum of one year (full time equivalent) pediatric experience within the EI Specialist credentialed discipline with no less than 60% of that experience (750 direct service hours) related to infants and toddlers;

Documentation of a minimum of six months pediatric post degree supervision;

Demonstration of training in using and interpreting a variety of approved assessment tools related to his/her discipline by participating in evaluator specific training;

Agreement to work with the Service Coordinator, other evaluators, and the family as an effective team member;

Agreement to participate in IFSP meetings as specified in this Part;

Agreement to perform evaluation/assessments and present recommendations thereon, that are consistent with DHS EI philosophy and best practices, and to provide adequate justification for recommendations based thereon;

Agreement to participate in routine quality assurance and/or EI monitoring activities conducted by the Department or its Designee, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs;

Agreement to comply with all applicable federal and/or State laws, rules, regulations, policies, provider agreement and procedure and guidelines;

Documentation of completion of the EI Systems Training that includes evaluation/assessment and evaluation/assessment training as required and provided by the Department in other formats.

The expiration date of an Evaluation/Assessment credential will coincide with the EI Specialist discipline specific credential. Renewal of the Evaluation/Assessment credential is contingent on the successful renewal of the EI Specialist discipline specific credential.

Family Training and Support

Individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent who are the parent or guardian of a child with special needs and are employed by an entity such as an agency or hospital that provides EI services as a Parent Liaison may apply for an EI Parent Liaison credential and enroll to bill. Completion of Parent Liaison Training is required within 90 days after being issued a temporary credential for full credential status and continued enrollment.

Individuals who are bilingual or an interpreter for the deaf may enroll to bill as an interpreter. Upon application for enrollment, the bilingual applicant must identify the languages for which he/she is applying to interpret and/or translate and document completion of EI Systems Training as defined in Section 500.60(f) and training for bilingual interpreter/translators as required and provided by the Department and oral and/or written language proficiency demonstrated through testing procedures as required and provided by the Department or through documentation of a nationally recognized certification based upon comparable proficiency testing procedures. Oral and/or written proficiency testing procedures test the language skills of a written translator and oral interpreter for comprehension of the source language and the extent that translated and/or interpreted text/speech conveys the full meaning of the source language. In addition, the proficiency testing for the written translator determines if the translated text is coherent and grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, usage and style are appropriate. By January 1, 2009, all enrolled bilingual interpreters must have documented completion of EI approved training for bilingual interpreters/translators and oral and/or written language proficiency demonstrated through testing procedures as required and provided by the Department or through documentation of a nationally recognized certification based upon comparable proficiency testing procedures to maintain enrollment. Prior to January 1, 2009, interpreters for the deaf must meet the requirements set forth in the Interpreters for the Deaf Act [225 ILCS 442 ] and on or after January 1, 2009 must comply with the licensure requirements set forth in the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 [225 ILCS 443 ] or the licensure, certification or screening requirements in the state where services are provided to children if not in Illinois, and document completion of EI Systems Training as defined in Section 500.60(f).

Deaf adults who have been certified by Hearing and Vision Connections as a language mentor for the deaf may enroll to bill. Language mentors are not required to obtain a credential.

Health Consultation

Physicians with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may enroll to bill. Physicians are not required to obtain a credential.

Medical Services (Diagnostic/Evaluation Purposes Only)

Physicians with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may enroll to bill. Physicians are not required to obtain a credential.

Individuals on the physician's service team should refer to the service area appropriate to their discipline for credentialing requirements.

Nursing

Registered Nurses with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Registered Nurse credential and enroll to bill. (Provider is automatically enrolled under nutrition category.)

Nutrition

Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Dietitian credential and enroll to bill.

Registered Nurses with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Registered Nurse credential and enroll to bill.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Occupational Therapist credential and enroll to bill.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Associate: Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists with a current license in the state where they provide Part C EI service to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Physical Therapist credential and enroll to bill.

Physical Therapist Assistants with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Associate: Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Service Coordination

Individuals with an EI Service Coordination credential on January 1, 2003 and either (1) an EI Specialist credential of any type, (2) a bachelors degree or higher in human services, behavioral science, social science or health related field, (3) a current license as a Registered Nurse, (4) current employment as a Service Coordinator in a Family Case Management Agency, or (5) an associates degree in human services, education, behavioral science, social science, or health related field plus 2 years of experience working with children birth to 5 to provide intervention services or service coordination in a community agency serving children and families may apply for renewal of their credential.

Individuals who do not hold an EI Service Coordination credential on January 1, 2003 and with a bachelors degree or higher in human services, behavioral science, social science or health related field or a current license as a Registered Nurse may apply for an EI Service Coordination Credential and enroll as an employee of a Child and Family Connections office. Additional training is required within 90 days after being issued a temporary credential for full credential status and continued enrollment.

Social Services

Social Workers with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Social Worker credential and enroll to bill.

Professional Counselors with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Professional Counselor credential and enroll to bill.

Unlicensed individuals employed by school districts as School Social Workers who will only be providing services through their school employment may apply for an EI Specialist: School Social Worker credential and enroll to bill.

Graduate students in social work who submit a letter from their graduate school verifying that they are providing social work services in a supervised internship setting in order to complete a comprehensive, culminating training experience prior to granting of a graduate degree in social work may apply for an EI Associate: Social Work Intern credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Speech Therapy

Speech/Language Pathologists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Specialist: Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist credential and enroll to bill. (Provider is automatically enrolled under aural rehabilitation and speech therapy categories.)

Individuals with a masters in speech-language pathology who are participating in a supervised professional experience and hold a temporary license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Associate: Speech/Language Pathologist in supervised professional experience credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Speech/Language Pathology Assistants with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may apply for an EI Associate: Speech/Language Therapy Assistant credential. Associate services are billed under the enrolled supervisor's name.

Transportation

Individuals with an appropriate vehicle registration number, insurance and current driver's license may enroll to bill. Not required to obtain a credential.

Vision

Optometrists or Opthalmologists with a current license in the state where they provide services to Illinois children may enroll to bill. Not required to obtain a credential.

Individuals with (1) a bachelors degree or higher in Orientation and Mobility or (2) a Special Education degree for Blind and Partially Seeing may apply for an EI Specialist: Developmental Therapist/Vision credential and enroll to bill. They may provide Developmental and/or Vision services related to visual functioning based on their qualification and experience.

Other Services

Personnel who have met State approved or recognized certification, licensing, registration or other comparable requirements that apply to the areas in which the individuals are conducting evaluations or assessments or providing EI services.