Early Intervention therapies help kids. But Illinois pays providers less than other states

For many parents in Illinois, time is running out to get the specialized help they need for their young children with developmental disabilities. They are waiting to get their kids into a state program called Early Intervention, which is open only to kids under the age of three. An investigation from the Illinois Answers Project found that Illinois pays providers less than other states, including Missouri, which leads to stalled access and reliance on telehealth appointments. The reporters interviewed therapists and identified dozens of Illinois families who have waited as long as 17 months for care. Reporter Meredith Newman talks about the challenges facing the program, what drew her to the investigation, and the impact on families waiting for specialized services.