CO-TOP* EIS 8/24/10 1 Project CO-TOP*EIS
Comprehensive Training Opportunities for Paraprofessionals in Early Intervention Services
Ardith Ferguson
Early Intervention Colorado
Ritu Chopra & Geri DiPalma
The PAR2A Center, University of Colorado Denver
State of the State
Colorado assures:
“The State has a comprehensive system of personnel development including the training of personnel development, including the training of paraprofessionals and the training of primary referral sources with respect to the basic components of early intervention services…” (20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(8)(A) and (B)
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Why Employ DI Assistants?
1.
Increasing numbers of infants and toddlers needing EI services.
2.
Shortages of certified professionals in certain geographic areas (e.g. rural) – high caseloads resulting in fewer contacts with families – use of DI Assistant will result in increased frequency of contact with the families.
3.
Efficiency in delivery of services – related to above – better use of time and resources.
4.
Community connections paraprofessionals are indigenous to the communities served - in hopes of gaining easier access to clients.
5.
Legislation allows/ requires it.
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Project CO-TOP*EIS:
A partnership between the Early Intervention Colorado (Colorado Department of Human Services) and The Paraprofessional Resource & Research (PAR2A)Center in the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) in the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) at University of Colorado Denver Overall Goal: To develop and implement a state-wide system of training for paraprofessionals who work with families that have infants or toddlers (birth through two years) with developmental delays or disabilities
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CO-TOP*EIS Objectives
1.
To establish a state-wide coalition of local, rural and urban agencies that will coordinate program goals, objectives, and activities
2.
To prepare DI Assistants for the roles they assume in the delivery f l i t ti t d i
- f early intervention supports and services
3.
To enhance local capacity of Community Centered Boards (CCBs) to supervise and train early intervention paraprofessionals.
4.
To facilitate paraprofessional career pathways into early childhood special education professions through articulated degree programs
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Objective #1: CO-TOP*EIS Project Coalition
Coalition has been established:
22 members, from various fields, communities, and positions Reviewed Curriculum Review Panel’s recommendations Reviewed Curriculum Review Panel s recommendations Discussed Paraprofessional (DI Assistants) Training Needs
Assessment
Established a job title for the paraprofessional position to be
the Developmental Intervention Assistant (DI Assistant)
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