Early Start’s Comprehensive System of Personnel Development

A required component of a state’s early intervention service system is a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD). The delivery of quality early intervention services envisioned by IDEA requires that personnel are qualified and appropriately trained to provide those services to eligible infants, young children, and their families.

DDS identified CEITAN—the California Early Intervention Technical Assistance Network— at WestEd to implement California’s CSPD. CEITAN works in collaboration with DDS, as the IDEA Part C early intervention lead agency, and the California Department of Education (CDE) to plan and deliver a robust program of training and technical assistance for Early Start professionals.

CEITAN administers the Early Start Institute, which offers in-person and virtual professional development courses and events. All professional development activities and resources are grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned to early intervention professional competencies in the ICC-Recommended Early Start Personnel Manual and to the Core Messages for training and technical assistance. Activities of the Early Start Institute:

  • build early intervention foundational competencies and skills for supporting development for Early Start service coordinators and early intervention service providers,
  • promote the use of effective, evidence-based practices,
  • provide networking opportunities for the entire Early Start community, and
  • address timely topics, such as transition, services in natural environments, cultural humility, and service equity and access.

CEITAN also administers Early Start Resources to produce, update, and disseminate materials for education, outreach, public awareness, and child find activities, and provides consultation and targeted technical assistance to DDS to support cross-sector systems coordination and collaboration.

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