A New Initiative to Support Transition from Early Intervention to Kindergarten
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) jointly launched a new initiative known as the “Family Ambassador Pilot Program” to support children as they transition from Preschool Early Intervention (EI) programs to kindergarten. The initiative is intended and designed to provide guidance both to families and school professionals to help students feel and be better prepared as they transition from the EI setting to a kindergarten classroom. As well, the initiative will work to engage and support family members through the transition process.
The Program is funded by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) through the State Personnel Development Grant, Success for PA Early Learners. PDE’s Bureau of Special Education and Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports will coordinate the Program. Preschool EI programs statewide applied for the opportunity to participate in the pilot Program, and three were selected to participate: Berks County Intermediate Unit 14, Chester Upland School District and Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29. Funding will be available through the 2026–2027 school year, and each entity will receive $148,000 over a three-year period.
The participating EI programs will engage “Family Ambassadors” who will serve as liaisons between families and schools to ensure that families have the necessary resources and information to help facilitate a successful and seamless transition to kindergarten. Family Ambassadors will be asked to provide a variety of services and supports, including answering questions about the transition process, providing information to families and connecting them to available resources, assisting with understanding the special education process, and explaining the family’s important role as a member of the IEP team. Successful applicants for the Family Ambassador position “must have lived experience in the transition process from Preschool Early Intervention to Kindergarten,” and Ambassadors will be expected to commit at least 15 hours per week working with families and schools.
Any information and insight gained through the three-year pilot Program will be utilized to enhance the transition process for students throughout Pennsylvania.
