Illinois’s Early Intervention (EI) system—vital for supporting young children with developmental delays—has experienced increasing strain in recent years: growing caseloads, dwindling numbers of providers, and longer wait times for services. In a bold move to address these mounting pressures, the state partnered with Afton Partners to go beyond surface-level fixes and dig into the financial truths behind the system’s struggles. At the heart of the effort is a dynamic cost model.  Providing more than snapshot of current rates, the cost model serves as an adaptive tool to reveal how much time and money it really takes to provide quality EI services, and how far current payments fall short. The model uncovers the hidden labor of providers, who often spend twice as much time preparing, traveling, and documenting as they do working directly with children, all for wages that can’t compete with similar roles in schools or hospitals. 

What makes this story compelling isn’t just the data; it’s the deeper reckoning with what’s needed to build a system that truly works for families and providers alike. Through rich engagement with providers and families, the cost model pulls back the curtain on a system long held together by dedication rather than sustainable policy. It shows how aligning compensation with actual workload could change the game, not only by attracting and retaining talent, but also by setting the stage for broader reforms across early childhood intervention services. For anyone interested in how public systems can evolve into stronger, more robust structures through smart, evidence-based innovation, the work in Illinois offers a blueprint worth exploring. Senior Director Abby McCartney shares the details of our partnership in her guest article with New America.