The Preschool Inclusion Project of Central New York supports general education practitioners who teach and care for young children (age 3-5) with identified special needs. The project is grounded in the belief that the majority of children with disabilities belong in community-based settings alongside their more typically developing peers. For this to happen successfully, general education practitioners—including lead teachers, teacher assistants, child care providers, and family child care providers—must receive support in their efforts to create and sustain environments in which all children thrive. These individuals are an important constant in the lives of children and serve as critical links to families.
Given this perspective, the goals of the PIPCNY are to:
The PIPCNY will achieve these goals through a multi-dimensional approach that involves targeted collegial interventions, focused workshops, and the collaborative development of a Community Blueprint for Inclusion.
Preschools, family childcare providers, nursery schools, and childcare centers can be part of the PIPCNY initiative. Potential programs must express an interest in participation and serve at least one preschool child with a disability. During the 2006-07 project year targeted PIPCNY interventions will be facilitated intensively in one of our large sites in Onondaga County, The Gingerbread House. Six (6) different classrooms will be targeted and whole staff workshops will be facilitated. The chosen program will work with CNY ECDC staff and our partners from the Child Care Solutions of Onondaga County to complete a pre-assessment. The pre-assessment process will lead to identified priorities and a collaborative work plan. Over the project year, programs will receive on-site consulting and mentoring to support the development of inclusive practices and to achieve the goals outlined above. A post assessment will be conducted to evaluate progress toward inclusive best practice.
The workshops instituted at The Gingerbread House are also available for the community at large. These workshops are:
The PIPCNY is also in the process of developing a publication to support early childhood programs as they embrace inclusion for young children. A resource guide called “The PIPCNY Community Blueprint for Inclusion” will incorporate best practice with the experience of community members who have successfully implemented inclusion in their programs. The “Blueprint” will be available in the spring of 2007.
If you are interested in more information, want to be a future PIPCNY Partner, or want to recommend a site for PIPCNY Partner consideration, please call 315-443-4444 or toll free at 1-800-962-5488.
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