Revised CEIS Process
ICC Retreat
October 2011
History of Certification in
Massachusetts
1994 – The DPH implemented the process for
certification through portfolio assessment
1997 – 2002 – Current process for Certification for Early
Intervention Specialist was developed and implemented
2008 – Stakeholder groups began review of
competencies, resulting in 51 newly worded competency
indicators in 8 areas (previously 69 in 9 areas)
2009-2011: Stakeholders meet to revise framework in
which new competency indicators will be documented
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Some Useful Data
• DPH receives about 100 portfolios per year
• As of May 2011, 842 individuals have been
certified since 2003
• 77% of specialists certified since 2003 have
remained in system – individuals who go
through the process have made a commitment
to stay
• 83% of staff working 20 hours per week or
more for three years are fully certified
• 23% of staff working less than 20 hours per
week for three or more years are fully certified
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Starting Point of Review Process
Continues to be competency-based
Retains Entry format
Every competency indicator must be
assigned to an Entry
What changes: how portfolio will meet
the content of the competency indicators
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CEIS Stakeholder Group
The CEIS Stakeholder Group of 14 had
broad representation and included:
EI Family Members
Peers
Program Directors
Higher Ed
DPH
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CEIS Stakeholders Group
Zulmira Allcock Dawn Gutro
Associates for Human Services Thom Marlborough EIP
Taunton Area Early Intervention Program
Kris Martone-Levine
Susan Breen Early Intervention Family Member
MA Dept. of Public Health
Holly Newman
Dan Couet MA Dept. of Public Health
Kennedy-Donovan Center, Inc.
Jean Nigro
Kellyann Coyne MA Dept. of Public Health
Early Intervention Family Member
Jennifer O’Leary
Patti Fougere Early Intervention Family Member
MA Dept. of Public Health
Patricia Hall Pellegrino
James Gleason Pediatric Development Center
Shriver Center, UMass Medical Center
Barbara Prindle-Eaton
Cape & Islands Early Childhood Intervention
Rena Ginsberg Program
Professional Center for Child Development
Leslie Siciliano
Professional Center for Child Development
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Tasks of the
CEIS Stakeholders
Met monthly beginning September 2009 to:
Review pros and cons of existing system
Review survey themes: Green book, Entry 1,
contribution to field, complexity of process,
workshops to obtain competency indicators
Draft new framework for each entry
Review pilot process data
Collaborate with DPH to develop timeline for
roll-out
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A Values-Based system
Values of MA EI
Respect and honor for the values and culture of
each family
Individualized supports and services
Decision making based on family values, priorities,
concerns
Support for families in context of communities
Team collaboration with families as partners
Facilitation of life-long learning for each child and
family as well as EI Specialists themselves.
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Pilot Process for Revised
Portfolio
Nov. 2010-Feb. 2011: 13 EI Specialists pilot
revised framework (most disciplines and regions
represented)
3 more individuals piloting now
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Pilot Process for Revised
Portfolio
Useful information so far:
Electronic forms convenient
Supervisor Assessment form works well to involve supervisors;
took about 2 hours to complete
Approximate time to complete:
Entry 1: 4 hours (excluding training)
Entry 2: 3 hours
Entry 3: 14 hours
Entry 4: 14 hours
(although some completed in much less or more time)
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Four Entries Continue
Content of Entries remains the same:
Entry 1: Formal knowledge sources
Entry 2: Professionalism, including Self-
Evaluation
Entry 3: Depth of Practice as an EI Service
Coordinator
Entry 4: Breadth of Practice working with
children and families across 7 topic areas
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Tasks by Entry
Entry 1: Using transcripts and EITC
certificates, document formal knowledge
for 16 competency indicators in all 8 areas
except Area 6, “Interventions”
Entry 2: Complete Parts I and II of Self-
Evaluation; with supervisor, complete
Supervisor Assessment
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Tasks by Entry
Entry 3: Complete narrative answers to five
groups of questions; two additional Work
Samples; IFSP; IFSP checklist
Entry 4: Provide Work Samples and Cover
Sheets in 7 topic areas: transition; cultural
responsiveness in evaluation/assessment;
supporting independence and engagement with
others; problem-solving and negotiation; family
self-advocacy; sensory development; and use of
infant/toddler research
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How the Portfolio
will be Different
Entry 1: Applicants must document 16
competency indicators instead of 35
Entry 2: Supervisor assessment results in
greater involvement by supervisor; self-
evaluation focuses on professional
development goals
Entry 3: More emphasis on the IFSP as a
tool for engaging families; 2 work samples
instead of 6
Entry 4: 7 work samples demonstrating
breadth of practice instead of 5
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Certification via Higher Ed Programs
Number certified since 2003: 80
Process: complete program; apply for Provisional
Certification with Advanced Standing (PCAS); work
1440 hours; apply for CEIS
Current DPH-approved higher ed programs:
Emerson College; Lesley University; MGH Institute
of Health Professions; Northeastern University
Re-Approval process: currently approved and new
Institutions of Higher Education will have to re-
apply based on new competency indicators
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EI Training Center:
Support for Certification
Workshops Linked to Competencies
BAC
Core Workshops
On-line Trainings
Cross-walk of current and revised
competency indicators
Special Sessions
CEC Application Process
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Portfolio Review Process
Panel composition: parent; peer;
administrator
Support for Applicants
Evidence and documentation: Is it there?
Holistic review of documents
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CEIS Support
for Providers
Roll-out via teleconference to field:
November/December 2011
Online narrated PowerPoint: “How to
complete a CEIS Portfolio in 3 years”
On-line narrated PowerPoint: “Completion
of the Supervisor Assessment”
Distribution of CEIS Instruction Manuals to
EI programs; at BAC; at ICC; at MEIC
conference; available from DPH
Availability of all materials in print and
online 18
Timeline for Roll-out
November/December 2011: roll-out to field via
teleconference
January-May 2012: Panelist Training; revision of
EITC offerings to reflect new competencies
June 1, 2012: Begin to accept new process
portfolios
January 1, 2014: All portfolios must be submitted
in new format
Staff hired after 6/1/11 might wish to consider
the new process
Revised process applicants may begin work when
final Manual is out in Winter 2012
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