Preschool EI Policy Forum 2022

Breakfast will be available staring at 9:00am outside Deans Hall 1 & 2

Rebekah Hornak, MA., Implementation & Communication Specialist, National Implementation Research Network at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill

As organizations begin the implementation science journey, they often hesitate to move fluidly through stages. Going back to exploration or installation and examining gaps within the work can be challenging yet rewarding. This session will highlight benefits and intentionality of stages and share current conversations around concepts of sustainability.

Jodie Holmberg and Dr. Toni Miguel, Consultants, EITA

Implementation Science is defined as the study of the processes needed to bring new practices into widespread use. This session will clarify how the phases of exploration and installation address system needs and review critical components and that will make the Early Intervention Service Delivery: Coaching Across Setting rollout effective and sustainable.

EITA Consultants

In the facilitated discussion sessions, participants will consider the importance of and strategies for including EI, ECE and family leaders from the very beginning of exploration and installation so when staff are expected to begin to implement, there are systems and supports available to help them be successful.

Dr. Darbianne Shannon, Assistant Research Scientist, University of Florida

When implemented systematically, Embedded Instruction provides many opportunities for children to be taught and to practice new skills, as well as developing confidence and competence in the caregivers who support children. This session will provide an overview of Embedded Instruction and Practice Based Coaching with an opportunity to hear from EI and ECE partners who have piloted the embedded instruction work.

EITA Consultants

Staff readiness and buy-in are critical elements for quality implementation of a new practice. Participants will identify available resources and strategies needed to support staff buy-in at the local level.

Breakfast will be available starting at 8:45am outside Deans Hall 1 & 2

Welcome: Tracey Campanini – Deputy Secretary, OCDEL

Opening Remarks:

Lisa Parker, Director, Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports, and Kesley Shaw, Director, Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development

Panel Moderator:  Tracey Campanini, Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning

Panel: Lisa Parker, Director, Bureau of Early Intervention Services & Family Supports

Christine Reber, Director, Bureau of Early Learning Resource Center Operations & Monitoring

Shante Brown, Director, Bureau of Childcare Certification Services

Kesley Shaw, Director, Bureau of Early Learning Policy & Professional Development

Tracy Duarte, Director, Pennsylvania Head Start Collaboration Office

Effective services for children with disabilities impact effective services for all children. This panel will share messages about how various groups are supported by OCDEL and share the efforts and benefits of this important work.

Dr. Jennifer Furness, EITA Consultant

This session describes OCDEL initiative to assist Early Intervention staff cope with personal trauma from the global pandemic while also supporting children and families they support. We know children are coming into the early childhood settings with unique challenges and needs. As OCDEL works to develop and implement strategies to support the children, we also recognize the caring, committed adults need support as well.

Melissa Mecke and Dr. Brandi Binakonsky, EITA Consultants

Although we are in early stages with this formal initiative, support for staff who work with children with disabilities (both EI and EC staff and settings) has been ongoing for years. This session will provide information about who has been doing what so far, and what leaders can encourage staff to start with now.

Sue Zeiders, Project Manager, EITA

As leaders, we often want to work harder and faster to implement a new practice. We tend to focus on what needs to be done and how it is going to happen. This session will review why the BEISFS is committed to improving the quality-of-service delivery in Pennsylvania Early Intervention and encourage participants to reflect upon how focusing on their own why will make what they do more impactful.