IV. Priority Recommendations (continued)
Issues and Solutions related to Equity (EQ) Note that the equity recommendations are also integral to other recommendations. The first recommendation is connected to the outreach recommendations and the remainder are relevant to the quality recommendations.
EQ1. Increase outreach, referral, enrollment, and support for families of color and those who speak a language other than English
Low income Black and Hispanic families are underrepresented in participation in Part C EI. For culturally and linguistically diverse families, more tailored outreach and support through the Part C EI evaluation and enrollment process is needed. Fund programs to increase outreach, referral, enrollment, and support for families of color and those who speak a language other than English in the home, including parent ambassadors, peer support, mentorship, and advocacy leadership programs.
Issue
Solution
Administrative and/or legislative Additional authority or funding may be needed for new initiatives
Type
EQ2. Partner with higher education to recruit and train individuals from historically underserved and immigrant communities to join the EI workforce
The EI workforce is disproportionately white, whereas the population of children and families participating in Part C EI represents the racial and cultural diversity of Pennsylvania families with young children. EI is not attracting sufficient numbers of professionals from historically underserved and racially and ethnically diverse communities. Work with higher education training programs, scholarships, and loan repayment options (including LEND, a federally funded training initiative), to recruit and train individuals from historically underserved communities or emerging immigrant populations to work in common categories of EI service delivery.
Issue
Solution
Administrative and/or legislative Additional funding may be needed
Type
EQ3. Introduce Early Intervention as a career opportunity to participating families, the child care workforce, and during high school
The EI workforce is disproportionately white, whereas the population of children and families participating in Part C EI represents the racial and cultural diversity of Pennsylvania families with young children. Part C EI is not attracting sufficient numbers of professionals from historically underserved and racially and ethnically diverse communities. Introduce early intervention as a career opportunity, and provide support for recruitment of family members who have participated in EI and people from the early care and education workforce, and introduce EI as a career path during high school.
Issue
Solution
Administrative and/or legislative Additional funding may be needed
Type
June 2022
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