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New Applicants

New applicants after March 1, 2008 must complete the applications below and follow the corresponding process. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing in order for the stated CANTS and criminal background checks to be completed and received.

TO LEARN IF YOU ARE ENROLLED TO BILL FOR SERVICES, CALL THE CENTRAL BILLING OFFICE AT (800) 634-8540.

Effective April 1, 2007 for New Early Intervention Credential Applicants the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Early Intervention requires the following checks for all providers applying for or renewing an EI credential:

No Provider shall be credentialed to provide early intervention services without the clearance results from all checks being documented by Provider Connections.

Click here for the background checks process for new applicants.

Beginning March 1, 2008

All new EI credential applicants are required to document:

  • Their specific educational/licensure requirements
  • Completion of EI Systems Overview Training. Systems Overview training is now available online at www.illinoiseitraining.org and consists of an online component and one (1) day face-to-face follow-up training. The three-day, face-to-face Systems Overview training is also available. Provider Connections will process credential applications only if all educational/licensure requirements and a minimum of the online portion of EI Systems Overview training are documented as complete.
  • All background checks are complete and all components of the Systems Overview Training have been received by Provider Connections.
  • Agreement to participate in Ongoing Professional Development Meetings.
  • Service Coordinators and Parent Liaisons will be allowed three (3) months from the date their "Temporary" credentials are issued to verify completion of Systems Overview training and their respective training requirements.

In addition to the above mentioned educational and training requirements, all new providers will:

  • Have eighteen (18) months from the date their "Temporary" credentials are issued to complete the required 240 hours of consultation verification (Form) with the exception of DT-Hearing, DT-Vision, and DT-O&M providers who will need to complete 120 hours. Documentation of this requirement must show that the individual participated in consultation with an appropriately experienced individual of the same discipline/Early Intervention service group who has experience working with children ages birth to three with special needs and their families. The consultation shall be in compliance with the professional standards of the individual seeking the credential, as determined and documented by the consultant.
  • All new unlicensed providers (except DTs & PLs), including Service Coordinators, must complete the four core knowledge areas during the eighteen-month (18) temporary period. DTs are required to document the completed four core knowledge area requirements upon application.
  • The four core knowledge area requirements have been eliminated for all licensed providers.
  • Extensions of up to 6 months (90 days for Service Coordinators and Parent Liaisons) may be allowed upon request in writing, received at least 30 days before the expiration of the credential setting forth the facts concerning noncompliance with this requirement. The Department’s credentialing office will consider hardship and other extenuating circumstances and determine if an extension should be granted on an individual basis.

A credential extension of up to 6 months for credentialed "Specialist" and "Associate" Level Credentialed providers & 90 days for credentialed Service Coordinators and Parent Liaisons may be granted due to non-compliance with Supervised Professional Experience and/or completion of training requirements established due to extreme hardship or extenuating circumstances. Such requests will be evaluated on an individual case basis and must follow the prescribed procedures below. A credential extension of up to 3 months for "Full" Credentialed Providers may be granted due to non-compliance with the Continuing Professional Education requirements. Extension requests will be evaluated on an individual case basis due to extreme hardship and/or extenuating circumstances. Use the EXTENSION REQUEST FORM (3-08) (pdf) to request an extension.

What is the Ongoing Professional Development Plan (OPDP)?

All new/renewing credentialed providers in Illinois must agree to participate in OPDP activities by using the Ongoing Professional Development Plan Form. OPDP activities are a once a month, non-billable, meeting held either face to face or over the telephone with an individual specialist-level credentialed provider or group, of which at least one member is a specialist-level credentialed provider. A Credentialed Provider, now including providers with a temporary credential, must document a minimum of 75% of their Ongoing Professional Development Plan (OPDP) meetings completed.

These meetings are intended to be used for professional development through discussion of client/family concerns, needs, strengths, resources, priorities, outcomes, strategies, and service plans in order to support best practices.