Early Childhood Intervention

Innovative Community of Practice

OVERVIEW

UCONN UCEDD was selected to develop state-level innovative practice groups, strategically working across and aligning early childhood sectors, to support parents of young children by leveraging the AUCD network centers and programs to increase workforce capacity for implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence-based programs for parents of young children who may have behavioral concerns. A secondary goal was to expand the reach of existing resources, such as free CDC materials on child development.

CT was part of a consortium of states who worked with the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovation (NCPMI) to increase the use of Pyramid Model practices across the state and country who are encouraging implementation in selected communities, homes, programs and classrooms. CT developed a state Leadership Team known as The Connecticut Pyramid Partnership (CPP), to implement Pyramid Practices. Membership included representatives from: Head Start Training and Technical Assistance, the Head Start Collaboration Office, the University of Connecticut University Center For Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Higher Education (The University of Hartford faculty), Mental Health Consultation (ECCP), The CT Infant Mental Health Association, the Office of Early Childhood (Quality Improvement Division, QIS),The State Education Resource Center, the State Department of Education (Part B 619), Philanthropy (Hartford Foundation for Public Giving), All Our Kin child care network, Child Care Resource and Referral (United Way of CT).

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Through our Family Engagement workgroup, we developed a social story about returning to schools and child care centers under the current COVID 19 pandemic. This story will help families and Early Childhood Teachers share the message about wearing masks and staying safe.

For more information on this grant, please contact Bethanne Vergean at vergean@uchc.edu.