Education Resources
Early Intervention Clearinghouse Technology Loan Program
The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EIC) technology loan program helps families in early intervention participate in live video visits or telehealth. Available technology includes:
- iPad with a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits that also has an internet plan)
- iPad without a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits and already have internet access)
- Hotspot (you have a device for live video visits but require internet access)
Quantities are limited. To apply to receive the technology, please complete a device loan request form. (The device loan request form is also available in Spanish.)
The EIC also provides tips on preparing for a live video visit.
Early Intervention-Illinois Department of Human Services
Illinois’ Early Intervention Service System serves children less than 36 months of age with disabilities or developmental delays, or who are at risk of substantial delays.
Easterseals Central Illinois offers programs and support for individuals with developmental delays, disabilities and autism from birth through age 21. Resources include physical and occupational therapy, speech services, feeding therapy, autism evaluations and supports, education services, camp and recreation programs, and more.
Easterseals Central Illinois provides services in McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. It also manages Child and Family Connections for Peoria and Champaign counties. For more information and help navigating their services, see the Parent Handbook.
You can contact Easterseals Central Illinois through its website or call (309) 686-1177.
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford offers community-based, comprehensive services and supports to individuals in the city of Chicago, surrounding suburban Cook County, and the Rockford area. Programs focusing on early learning and disability services include autism services and supports, diagnostic services, early intervention and education programs, teen and young parent services, respite care, employment opportunities, and additional support services.
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford services and programs include:
- Family support and respite services
- Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) offering employment opportunities, job training, and life skills development for individuals with disabilities
- Teen and young parent family support, resources and doula services
- The Autism Program (TAP) at Easterseals serving families in JoDaviess, Lake, Stephenson, Boone, Winnebago, McHenry, and Northern Ogle counties.
- The Illinois Autism Partnership at Easterseals offering programming support for organizations. Resources include the Activities of Daily Living Toolkit.
For more information, visit the Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford’s website contact page.
El Valor is a non-profit, community-based organization serving children, people with disabilities and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor offers education programs focusing on early education, inclusion, employment and self-sufficiency for individuals of all ages with different abilities.
It also provides families a variety of enrichment opportunities including certification classes, first aid, parenting seminars and family support groups. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA)
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA) is a four-year, post-secondary certificate program for young adults aged 18-28 with disabilities. Elsa students can live on campus or commute and participate in on-campus activities alongside their degree-seeking peers.
If you have any questions, please call (630) 617-3752 or email elsa@elmhurst.edu.
EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more. EngineerGirl offers girls interested in problem-solving and engineering.
Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.
ERIC: Education Resources Information Center
ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education.
Exceptional Learners Collaborative
The Exceptional Learners’ Collaborative (ELC) is a special education cooperative and joint agreement between four school districts in Vernon Hills (Lake County), Ill. The ELC provides services to students with special needs, ages 3 through 22. Its website offers information and resources on transition, employment, housing, mental health, parent advocacy and empowerment, the One Community parent-to-parent support group and more.
ELC provides services and support in communities that include Buffalo Grove, Kildeer, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Prairie View, Hawthorn Woods, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Mettawa, Fox Lake and Spring Grove.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) serves Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The FRCD can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about your child’s individualized education program (IEP), obtain appropriate services for your child, communicate more effectively with school professionals and more.
You can contact the FRCD at (312) 939-3513 or info@frcd.org.