SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new Illinois law will increase opportunities to inform parents about the state’s early intervention program. Sponsors say the law will ensure NICU babies have early access to these critical services.

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ early intervention program helps children with disabilities or developmental delays up to age three learn and grow.

Youth in the program are evaluated for movement, learning and behavior among other areas, but many families are unaware they are eligible for these services.

The new law states hospitals must sign a letter referring babies to early intervention services if the child is born weighing less than 2.2 pounds.

"The problem is most of these eligible infants are not getting early intervention services, and this failure to connect eligible children born into NICUs is particularly striking," said Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville).

The state currently runs a public awareness program focused on early identification of eligible infants and toddlers. However, this law expands the scope of the program to include infants who automatically qualify for early intervention services.

"Hospitals are already required to refer families to early intervention services. This written process will help create a warmer referral process where NICU staff can talk with families about these early intervention services and connect them with the services before the family leaves the NICU," Yang Rohr said.

House Bill 3327 gained unanimous support in both chambers and took effect Jan. 1. The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will take over early intervention services when the agency officially launches on July 1.

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