SPRINGFIELD ─ To provide families and legal guardians with information about services their child might need, State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced legislation aimed at increasing opportunities to inform parents about the Early Intervention program.

“Early intervention is life-changing for many families, as these programs provide critical services and therapies as children develop,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “But, these services can only benefit those they are able to reach, which means uplifting the program and expanding its outreach to those who need it is imperative.”

The Early Intervention program, administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services, helps children with disabilities or developmental delays up to age three to learn and grow. Services offered include evaluations in movement, learning, behavior and more.

Villivalam’s measure would require hospitals to provide written information on the Early Intervention program to any parent or legal guardian whose child is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. It would also require a hospital staff member to initiate a referral to the Early Intervention program prior to discharging the child from the hospital.

Currently, IDHS operates a public awareness program focused on early identification of eligible infants and toddlers. House Bill 3327 would expand the scope of the awareness program to include infants who automatically qualify for early intervention services, including those born weighing less than 1,000 grams.

“Through House Bill 3327, information about the Early Intervention program will be available and utilized by more families, increasing our youth’s ability to receive the critical services they need to live long, healthy lives,” said Villivalam.

House Bill 3327 passed the Senate Thursday.