I. Introduction and Approach Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) and Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), with support from three early childhood consultants, came together to assess and inform development of an action agenda for Pennsylvania’s Part C Early Intervention (EI) system. An in-depth assessment, including participation from over 150 individuals, led to the statewide agenda outlined in this report.
Figure 1. Key Elements Informing Advocacy Agenda 1. Resource scan of
with shared roles met together. Discussions were led by the consultants, using a semi-structured discussion guide. Participants shared their experience with the Part C Early Intervention (EI) program, based on their views of strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. While participants brought forth issues on their own, the protocol allowed for probing in the following areas: • Child Find and referrals • Eligibility and enrollment processes, including Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) • Range of conditions and diagnoses national data and reports 2. Small group discussions with 150 individuals, organized by role, to share EI experiences, identify strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement 3. Two large group meetings with 90 plus individuals synthesizing information on strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement, and mutual agreement on recommendations for the action plan 4. Multiple meetings with the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to gather and confirm information and to review strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement
Scope of the Project The focus of this advocacy agenda is Part C of the Early
This statewide legislative and administration action agenda was developed with input and information from multiple sources: a resource scan of national data and reports, consideration of the structure and approach to Part C in Pennsylvania, and many individuals. We sought individual and organizational input using small group discussions and two full participant meetings. This multi-step engagement process enabled all interested participants to play a key role in shaping the action plan, providing feedback at each stage of the process from mid-2021 through mid-2022. Initially we met with 150 individuals who had many different roles in Early Intervention. Small group discussions were organized by role so that individuals Intervention (EI) system, which serves infants and toddlers and their families. Early Intervention in Pennsylvania also provides services to preschool age children. While there are many similarities between these programs, and they have similar goals, the programs have different federal requirements. A similar project is needed to address and further support the preschool age component of Early Intervention.
June 2022
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