Early Intervention Assistant

The Early Intervention Assistant Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students to work with infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities and other special needs in early intervention settings and inclusive early care and education settings. All professionals working with children are required to have a clean criminal record, to demonstrate freedom from tuberculosis (TB), and to demonstrate the physical ability to perform all of the duties of a professional position working directly with children. Students may want to continue their course work to meet the requirements of a Master Teacher or Site Supervisor California Child Development Permit. The California Child Development Permit Matrix requirements are reflected in our program allowing students to qualify for the permits required for teaching in programs governed by Title V and funded by contracts with the State of California. Permits are issued by the State Department of Education, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (not Porterville College) and include: Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher, and Site Supervisor.

Current students in the Porterville College Child Development classes alone are sufficient to justify the addition of this certificate program. It is conservatively estimated that once the program is fully established that there will be no fewer than 10 annual completers. Currently there are at least 12 current PC students within 3 or 4 units of completing these standards, with more students enrolling in child development classes every semester. This includes only (current) Child Development students; the inclusion of additional students interested in earning the Early Intervention Assistant Certificate will undoubtedly raise this number significantly.

The Early Intervention Assistant Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students to work with infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities and other special needs in early intervention settings and inclusive early care and education settings. Upon completion of this certificate students will be able to: • Develop strategies that promote partnerships between teachers, families, programs, and their communities. • Integrate an understanding of the needs, multiple influences and characteristics on the development of children birth to eight as related to high quality education and care. • Apply effective interaction strategies and guidance that will support all children’s self-confidence, self-esteem, and social learning, identity. • Design, implement, and evaluate activities and environments that support positive developmental play and learning outcomes for infants, toddlers, and children.

Requirements Course # Name Units Sequence Required Core CHDV P115 Curriculum and Strategies for Children with 3 Year 1 Fall (18 units) Special Needs CHDV P118 Introduction to Children with Special Needs 3 Year 1 Spring CHDV P121 Infant/Toddler Development 3 Year 1 Fall CHDV P161 Infant/Toddler Care and Education 3 Year 1 Spring CHDV P223 Child Growth and Development 3 Year 1 Fall CHDV P119 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 Year 1 Spring Required Core Total: 18 units TOTAL UNITS: 18 units Proposed Sequence: Year 1, Fall = 9 units Year 1, Spring = 9 units