In Pennsylvania, an early intervention coaching endorsement is a specialized credential recognized by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) that signifies an individual’s expertise in supporting parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays or disabilities. It’s not a license but an endorsement that complements a professional license or other credentials, recognizing specialized knowledge and skills in coaching within the field of early intervention.
The Guidance Center’s EI teacher, Kim Johnson has earned this coaching endorsement. She is the first Early Intervention Teacher in McKean County to achieve this goal. Her endorsement from both OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Shante’ Brown, and Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS) Director, Kimberly Rode, indicates that Kim will continue to provide high-quality home visits by coaching caregivers and families to support their child’s growth and development, and strive to maintain fidelity of implementation using research-informed and evidence-based practices.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports coaching as a methodology across all programs and has defined coaching for their early childhood programs. The Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS) has developed additional EI principles that align with that definition. These principles include that the primary role of Early Intervention personnel is to coach and support the family members, caregivers and early childhood educators in a child’s life.
The endorsement validates that an individual has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively coach parents and caregivers, building their capacity to support their child’s development through their daily routines. To become an endorsed coach, professionals must complete a prescribed Learning Path, which includes online courses, video submissions demonstrating FGRBI (Family-Guided Routines-Based Intervention), and participation in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) or Trio Groups to master coaching skills. Reaching “fidelity” with the coaching approach means demonstrating proficiency in implementing the coaching strategies and meeting specific requirements outlined by OCDEL. Endorsement demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and provides recognition for specialized expertise in coaching practices within early intervention.
In essence, the PA Early Intervention Coaching endorsement is a pathway for professionals to demonstrate their expertise in supporting parents and caregivers in promoting children’s development through coaching, aligning with the state’s commitment to high-quality early intervention services.
