Preparing Early Childhood Professionals for Inclusion (PEPI)

Project PEPI is no longer active.

The goal of PEPI, in collaboration with our community college partners, was to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals working toward an associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) to include young children with disabilities.

Specifically, Project PEPI provided technical assistance to Oregon community college instructors to:

Enhance existing coursework or develop needed coursework to increase knowledge and skills of early childhood professionals for working with young children with disabilities;

Infuse Competencies for Inclusive Programs into existing ECE competencies and standards already addressed by the program.

Incorporate the DEC Recommended Practices for parents and professionals working with young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities.

Download PEPI Press Release.

Project PEPI Expands Reach

After a successful roll-out of a pilot program within four Oregon community colleges, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP – a division of the US Department of Education) has expanded the program and increased funding to Project PEPI by $90,000.00 for the 2014-15 academic year. This increase has allowed the project to add three additional community colleges to this study, nearly doubling its reach and participant feedback. We invite all Community Colleges to include these materials in their coursework. Learn more about Project PEPI.. 

 Our Community College Partners

Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) offers Associate in Applied Science certificates and degrees in Early Childhood Education.

Chemeketa Community College (CCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, an Early Childhood Certificate, Infant Toddler Certificate, and Preschool Certificate.

Clackamas Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies.

Lane Community College offers a two year Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as a one year certificate.

Portland Community College: The Early Education and Family Studies program offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree and certificate in Early Education and Family Studies.

Southwestern Oregon Community College offers Associate in Applied Science degrees in Childhood Education & Family Studies and in Early Childhood Development with articulation options for Portland State and Southern Oregon University.

Project PEPI Advisory Council Members

Eleni Boston:  is the Coordinator for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services, Vision Services and OT/PT Services for the Willamette Education Service District for eligible children birth through 21 within Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties.

Pam Deardorff is the Director for the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education at the Graduate School of Education, Portland State University.

Cindy Ryan has been an early childhood/early childhood special educator for 20 years, a school administrator, and she is now Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Educator at the College of Education, Western Oregon University.  Cindy is also Co-PI of Project PIECE: Promoting Inclusion in Early Childhood Educators.

Robyn Taylor is the Dean of Human Services and Business and Managment for Chemeketa Community College.

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