Child Find Project: Screening and Referral
IECAM has been working with the Child Find Project in Illinois to develop maps based on collected data. These data include the total number of children screened for disabilities, the number of children who are referred for further evaluation, and the rate of children referred (number referred/number screened).
Below are the most recent maps showing Child and Family Connection (CFC) region and ZIP code-level data. As you will see, the data is incomplete, particularly in the ZIP code-level maps. This is a work in progress and relies upon the data submitted to the Child Find Project.
What is Child Find?
Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to have a comprehensive system to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21, for early intervention or special education services.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth through age 2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C.
Children and youth (ages 3–21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2023, Q2.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2023, Q1.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2022, Q4.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2022, Q3.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2022, Q2.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2021.
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A series of maps showing total number of children birth through 5 screened and referred, and percent referred of those screened, by CFC region and zip code for FY2020, Q3.
About the data
Child and Family Connections (CFC) are the regional intake agencies for children and families to enter the Illinois early intervention system. There are 25 CFC regions in the state, each being responsible for a specific geographic area. Cook County has seven CFC agencies that are broken down by ZIP code to determine the geographic area served. More information can be found on the Child & Family Connections website. The Illinois Department of Human Services also provides a listing of CFCs.
“Q” refers to quarters, three-month time periods, with the first quarter beginning July 1 of each year.
Additional resources
- The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center website offers information and resources related to early identification and Child Find for young children with disabilities.
- Getting Started in Early Intervention, Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
In Illinois, the Illinois State Board of Education is the lead agency for preschool special education IDEA Part B services, and the Illinois Department of Human Services is the lead agency for IDEA Part C services, or early intervention. The Child Find Project is funded entirely by federal IDEA Part B discretionary funds.