The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Bureau of Early Intervention (EI), seeks a Vendor to establish and maintain an EI Credentialing program to support a system of credentialing and enrollment for approximately 4,800 EI Providers. The EI Program currently serves approximately 21,000 children between birth-to-three who have developmental delays or disabilities. Children eligible for the EI Program receive a range of services, chief among them: speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental therapy. In addition, approximately 10,000 children are receiving limited services to evaluate their eligibility and assess their needs for particular services to help them overcome developmental delays and disabilities.
The EI Program is operated under federal Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the state Early Intervention Services System Act. Both state and federal laws require the establishment and enforcement of personnel standards for EI Providers serving children in the EI Program. In Illinois, this is accomplished through the credentialing process. The EI Credentialing Office coordinates the credentialing process with EI enrollment to allow EI Providers to be authorized and reimbursed for EI services and Medicaid enrollment to support Medicaid Federal Financial Participation (FFP) reimbursement to IDHS for EI services.
IDHS’s goal is to improve the quality of services offered to infants and toddlers in the EI Program through an effective network of EI providers. Maintaining a system of credentialing ensures that new EI Providers are qualified and prepared with the appropriate pediatric experience and education to provide services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. The credential renewal process establishes requirements for EI providers to participate in continuing professional education activities and ongoing professional development that will help maintain and improve their competencies.