neither can.

Illinois families, according to the nonprofit, start early, that group is launching a campaign that aims to draw attention to the gaps in early childhood development services advocates are calling on Governor JB Pritzker to increase early intervention funding by 60 million dollars to tackle staffing shortages and delays in treatment.

Joining us now with more are Karen Berman, senior director at start early and Jacqueline Vasquez, parent and Advocate.

Thanks to you both for joining us.

We appreciate it.

Thank you having So Karen Berman first, if you would tell us, you know, about the importance of those early years that 0 to 3 in a child's life well, the first 3, their years of life when we see the most opportunity for development, it's when the brain is in its.

>> Highest developmental period.

In fact, 80% development occurs during those years.

So understanding when there's concerns and intervening as early as possible is critical to having the best outcomes for success in school and in life.

>> Check-in desk.

As I understand, you benefited from from using early intervention for several of your children when they were little.

How are they helpful for you and your family?

>> So out of 4 children, 3 received early intervention services and the earlier we start with intervention, the later vote, the least amount of interventions we need to apply later in life.

My oldest is now 10 and he is doing wonderful.

He had low muscle tone head to toe and I had twins and the pandemic.

One of my girls is ventilator dependent.

And with that rate, G 2.

So we received all of the 3rd, the various services between developmental physical we had occupational nutrition vision, orientation and mobility and with all of them, we had it when apply for services.

Unfortunately, during the pandemic, we were unable to get all of them to come into our home.

So we had to make the concession to have services via zoom.

My background is that of early childhood special education educator.

So I was very familiar with how that with where to look and how to make all that come together.

Can you imagine for parents who don't have that knowledge, you don't know where to go?

Absolutely.

And I'm also knowledgeable about systems and how to navigate the system.

So I played all of my background knowledge into supporting my children to be successful for potential opt into meeting their potential optimal life outcomes.

And I imagine pandemic or not to have that many therapists kids full disclosure.

My has employed earlier intervention as well to have those services coming into the home, especially to help with such a little people.

I can imagine.

>> That makes a big difference.

Huge.

We only had one provider able to come into our home at that point.

But with the time that they spent with us, we were able to take that knowledge, be a zoom or in person and apply all day every day through play to help my child who was unable to walk, crawl walk.

She's now dancing, jumping, running and in school in a blend a classroom with her son, twin sister Grace.

A lot of difference.

It made for huge differently.

There.

So you all care and have launched the babies can't wait campaign to draw attention to the increased need for funding.

>> One of the challenges that you all draw attention to is providers are leaving a new report that since 2019, nearly 500 have left the state.

What is causing that?

>> So unfortunately, we've had many years of compensation neglect for this workforce.

It's important to know that these providers are speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist, developmental therapist.

Many have advanced degrees and there's been research done now in the state in order to fix this problem, showing that these providers really need a 50% rate increase in order to pay them a competitive in really livable wage.

It's also important for people to know that these providers are traveling and coming into holes, though, the way early intervention works support for the child.

But it's also support for the family.

It's really important to do these interventions in the context of family of a child's routines.

And so these providers are not paid for missed appointments for transportation.

They don't have health benefits.

So the rate that we provide them needs to cover all of those expenses.

Right now they're only able to bill for one of every 3 hours.

They work.

So if they're leaving the state, what does that mean for families and for children who need their services?

That's what's leading to the historically high waiting list.

We have doubled the waiting less than we have ever had since 2021 since before the pandemic this summer leaving the state.

But honestly, many are leaving.

Just tickle work in schools are in hospitals or private clinics where they can get paid a much higher wage.

It's also important for people to know.

>> That early intervention is a program under the federal law, families are legally entitled to receive these services.

And that's because the research is so clear both the importance of these services for developmental outcomes, but also the cost savings that state's chief when deliver these services as early as possible.

Of course, we know you are having rallies across the state to bring attention to this issue, including one Friday in Chicago.

What are you calling for?

>> So a rally in Chicago on Friday is at 11 30.

It's at the corner of the Adams and Dearborn, read the Federal Plaza is we hope many, many people will join us there.

And we are calling for that extra 60 million dollars in funding for early intervention and really a commitment to increase the funding over the next few years.

In order to get to that level of funding that is necessary to get these families off of waiting lists for this help.

Okay.

10 seconds.

Go on.

>> I think it's really important that families understand that this is of rights issue.

Our children deserve this.

They deserve to have every possible support from the very earliest moments of their life to help create these beautiful success stories we to only we don't apply this the support right now, Tony, greater supports