Welcome

Provider Connections is contracted by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Early Intervention to credential, enroll, and provide technical support to Early Intervention (EI) providers interested in the credentialing and enrollment process. As part of Western Illinois University’s Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education since 1997, Provider Connections has assisted the Illinois Department of Human Services in providing leadership in the Illinois EI system. The mission of Provider Connections is to ensure that professionals working in the Illinois EI System possess appropriate qualifications, enhance their professional growth, and strengthen their understanding of children ages birth to 3 with special needs.

Provider Connections serves more than 4,500 providers throughout Illinois and its adjoining states. The credentialing and enrollment service links with several other state agencies and contractors, including the IDHS, EI Central Billing Office (CBO), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, the Illinois EI Training Program, the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse, the Illinois Early Intervention Monitoring Program, and the Illinois Child and Family Connections (CFC). With these entities and other key stakeholders in the EI System, Provider Connections initiates and maintains the high standards for participating in the Illinois EI Program.