All children aged birth to five years receive a developmental screening upon entering foster care. The purpose of the screening is to identify any developmental delays quickly and connect the child to local preschool support programs. Developmental programs for children aged zero to five are aimed at helping them be ready and able to learn. 

Children aged birth to three years whose screening indicates a developmental delay must be immediately referred by the caseworker to the Illinois Early Intervention Program for an evaluation to determine if services are needed. If the infant or toddler needs services, the caregiver and caseworker team must arrange for the child to attend services. Infants and toddlers without developmental delays may be able to attend an Early Head Start program if available in your community. 

Children aged three to five years must be enrolled in an early childhood education program. For children with disabilities, they must be enrolled in early childhood special education if eligible. Children without disabilities need to be enrolled in Head Start, if available in your community. Children at risk of school failure may be enrolled in a pre-kindergarten at-risk program if offered by your school district. If no publicly funded preschool program is available in your area, DCFS will pay for attendance in an accredited preschool program. 

Children who have developmental delays are not learning new skills in a timely manner. Babies develop at different rates, but all babies do things that show they are developing normally, such as beginning to walk at about 12 months. Observing the way babies talk, if they remember things and people, how they play and the interactions with those around them tells us if they are developing normally or if they need some extra help.

Section 6, Page 9