START Project

Trainers deliver a minimum of 12 hours of START content over a two-year cycle.

Delivery of professional learning may include formats such as formal training, presentations at staff and admin meetings, and to parent and community groups, and facilitation of relevant communities of practice (CoP) or Professional Learning Communities (PLC) that utilize START content. Time can be tracked in increments of 15 minutes.

Current Trainers of START Content in more than one area (e.g., Essential Foundations, Early Childhood) are still only required to complete a total of 12 hours.

Ideas for delivering professional learning utilizing START content, materials, or tools (not an exhaustive list):

• 15 minute presentation on Peer to Peer at district principal's meeting
• 1 hour after school workshop for paraprofessionals to practice using visual supports
• Full day professional learning for building coaches on universal supports and CETA
• Half day training for early childhood teachers focused on increasing learning opportunities and engagement
• Parent workshop on toilet teaching utilizing START early childhood content
• CoP for coaches in district around academic engagement
• Guided discussion on neuroaffirming practices at a staff meeting
• Sharing a tool from a START CoP and demonstrating its use during a grade-level team meeting

Non-examples:

• Training specifically based on a proprietary model (e.g., TEACCH, Pod, SCERTS)
• District compliance training (e.g., crisis intervention, health and safety)
• Peer to Peer training that is based on a helping model
• Compliance-based behavioral training
• Hallway conversations about implementation of an EBP

Tools to Support Delivery of Professional Learning:

• EPLI Professional Learning Planner

Forms to Submit to START:

• Individual EPLI Trainer Report - Complete and submit twice a year

Trainers complete at least 15 hours of START-delivered or sponsored professional learning over a two-year cycle. 

This includes at least two of the following and participation in a brief annual on-demand content update from/by START:

Essential Foundations Trainers:

• Foundations in Peer to Peer
• Comprehensive Communication Supports and Strategies Series
• Creating a Neuro-Affirming Environment: Strategies for Educators Series
• Using the CETA to Promote Evidence-Based Classroom Practices

Early Childhood Trainers:

• Comprehensive Communication Supports and Strategies Series
• Creating a Neuro-Affirming Environment: Strategies for Educators Series
• Early Childhood Practice-Based Coaching Series

Current Trainers of START Content in more than one area (e.g., Essential Foundations, Early Childhood) are still only required to complete a total of 15 hours.

START-Delivered or Sponsored Professional Learning Options

• Trainings, Training Series, and Bootcamps (not an exhaustive list)
  • CETA series
  • Coaching series
  • Comprehensive Communication Supports and Systems (CCSS)
  • EPLI Bootcamp: Early Childhood (including repeating series)
  • Early childhood trainings
  • Education-based evaluations and eligibility determination
  • EPLI Bootcamp: Essential Foundations (including repeating series)
  • FAPE in the LRE
  • Instructional strategies
  • Neuroaffirming practices
  • Peer to Peer
  • PFA-SBT courses by FTF Consultation (approved sites)
  • EPLI Advanced Trainings (current trainer status is required to participate in Advanced Trainings)
• Community of Practice participation (up to 6 hours per 2-year cycle)
• RCN Leadership Day participation (up to 6 hours per 2-year cycle)
• START Speaker Series attendance

Non-examples:

• Professional Learning delivered by Current Trainers of START Content
• Conferences or professional learning sponsored by other organizations
• RCN-delivered trainings
• Non-START trainings

Tools to Support Completing Continuing Education:

• EPLI Professional Learning Planner

Forms to Submit to START:

• Individual EPLI Trainer Report - Complete and submit twice a year