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Dear Reader,

Earlier this year, The Hechinger Report’s Sarah Carr wrote about how, across the country, far too few new parents are made aware of the kinds of therapies their babies are entitled to under federal law. Such early intervention services can reduce the need for costly special education support down the road.

After the Hechinger story published, Illinois state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr introduced legislation requiring that hospitals distribute materials to parents of premature and low-birth-weight babies about their eligibility for early intervention therapies. The bill also requires that hospitals make a nurse or physical therapist available to explain these rights to families.

On Aug. 15, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed that bill into law. It takes effect in January.

You rely on our newsletters for timely education news. With your support, this information can reach more people, helping them make informed decisions and even inspire legislative change, as this example from Illinois clearly illustrates.

Without your support, we simply could not tell stories like this that reflect our mission: to cover innovation and inequality in education.

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In gratitude,

Chelsea Miller
Development Director, The Hechinger Report

P.S. If you haven't read Sarah's story, you can do so here.