Tele-Intervention in Virginia: Data, Benefits, Challenges, & Advice from Practitioners May 4, 2021 • Talks on Tuesdays Webinar

DESCRIPTION: After more than a year, early intervention in Virginia continues to be provided in many localities via tele-intervention due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Join this session to learn what data from two surveys of EI practitioners indicate about service delivery during this time. We’ll share insights from practitioners about the impact of tele-intervention on coaching practices, benefits and the most commonly reported challenges, and the hope and advice practitioners have for the future.

MEET THE PRESENTER:

Dana Childress, Ph.D. Dana is an Early Intervention Professional Development Consultant with the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked in the field of early intervention (EI) for more than 25 years as an educator, service coordinator, supervisor, trainer, author, and consultant. She currently works as part of Virginia's EI professional development team developing resources and conducting web-based and in-person training. She manages content for the Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center site, writes the Early Intervention Strategies for Success blog, and co-hosts the EI on the Fly Podcast. Dana is the co-author of the book, Family-Centered Practices in Early Intervention: Supporting Infants and Toddlers in Natural Environments. Her next book, Pause and Reflect: Your Guide to a Deeper Understanding of Early Intervention Practice, will be published in 2021. Her interests include adult learning and EI service delivery, family centered practices, supporting family implementation of intervention strategies, and finding ways to help bridge the research to practice gap through interactive professional development for in-service EI practitioners.

Megan Schumaker, EDD Megan has over a decade of experience working with fathers as an early intervention developmental specialist. Currently, she is an assistant professor at Salem State University, where she teaches future early interventionists and researches dads’ experiences working with early intervention programs. Megan lives in Salem, MA, with her husband, daughter, and two exceptionally naughty cats.

Kyla Patterson, M.S. Kyla has a master's degree in early intervention. She is the Early Intervention Team Leader with the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia state office, where she has worked for 23 years. Prior to that, she provided service coordination and developmental services and worked in both community and hospital-based programs.

The development of this resource was sponsored by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Early Intervention Office) through a contract with the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌