START Project

The EPLI Bootcamp: Early Childhood is designed to prepare participants to become EPLI Trainers of START Content in Early Childhood. This training series equips early childhood professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to collaborate with early childhood providers to support young children with autism and higher support needs in inclusive settings. Emphasizing practical, evidence-based strategies, the training focuses on embedding instruction into natural routines, implementing play-based learning, using positive behavioral supports, and designing environments that promote meaningful engagement, learning, and independence across daily activities.

In addition to deepening their knowledge of early childhood practices, participants will learn to align their work with START's core principles and values, apply professional learning principles, and utilize evidence-based resources and tools. Upon completion of the series, participants will have increased their capacity to train and coach others in their early childhood programs.

The Bootcamp includes:

• Five days of virtual training
  • IMPORTANT: there is a core Early Childhood training on September 26, 2025. This is an requirement of the Bootcamp and it falls before the application deadline.
  • Applicants must attend these trainings this year, or have attended these trainings in the past two years.
  • START will provide you with information about registering for these trainings upon application acceptance.
• Asynchronous coursework
• Two in-person days focused on building training and presentation skills.

Full participation is required to become an EPLI Trainer of START Content in Early Childhood. EPLI Bootcamp: Early Childhood absence policy is available here.

EPLI Trainers of START Content in Early Childhood are expected to meet requirements in two areas: delivering professional learning and completing continuing education. View the full expectations here.

EPLI Bootcamp: Early Childhood - At a Glance

Requirements for Applicants:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Hold a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or BCBA credential, or be otherwise authorized by MDE to work in schools, AND be employed by or through a public school in Michigan, including district run preschools.
• At least 4 years of experience working with young children with developmental delays, including children with autism.
• Currently working with early childhood programs (birth-6) connected to a school system.
• Possess strong content knowledge in evidence-based practices for young children.
• Commit to attending all required professional learning events in the Early Childhood Trainer Bootcamp.
• Commit to engaging in ongoing refresher requirements after completion of the Trainer series.
• Commit to championing inclusive and neuroaffirming practices and implementation of evidence-based practices for young children.
• Obtain support from your direct supervisor and an RCN leadership representative.

Essential Skills:

• Ability to build rapport and connections with adult learners.
• Ability to approach the trainer role as an effective facilitator of the professional learning of adults, rather than a role of expert.
• Ability to deliver training content with attention to expectations, pacing, and strategies for active engagement of participants, including regularly monitoring for understanding.
• Engage in post-training follow-up and coaching on implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Willingness to dedicate time to deepen professional knowledge and keep up to date on effective early childhood practices and training and coaching skills.

A completed application is required. This application will take approximately 15-20 minutes and should be completed in one session. Approved applicants will be notified of acceptance, via email, by October 3, 2025.

The application is closed.

To maintain Trainer Status, EPLI Trainers of START Content in Early Childhood will meet requirements in two areas:

The designation “EPLI Trainer of START Content in Early Childhood” means that the trainer has completed the START Effective Practices Leadership Initiative (EPLI) Bootcamp: Early Childhood. This involves attending a series of trainings to develop content knowledge and skills to deliver effective professional learning opportunities. It does not convey any endorsement or representation by START or Grand Valley State University related to the trainer's understanding of that content, or their effectiveness or skill as a trainer or coach.