Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention
What are Philadelphia's pre-service requirements?
The Commonwealth requires all personnel who are working in early intervention to meet pre-service requirements, which are defined in the Early Intervention Regulations. A majority of these requirements are to be met one time only - during the initial months that a person works in early intervention but some require re-certification and annual updates.
Pre-service requirements include Fire Safety, Natural Environments, Emergency Evacuation, Fiscal Operations, First Aid, CPR, Family Centered Practices, Local & State community Resources, Social/Emotional, Health, and Educational/Developmental needs of Children, Transition and Child Abuse and Neglect. These requirements are met through an EI provider agency and not through TLC. Check our pre-service training resource list, as well as options for annual pre-service renewal/update.
In Philadelphia, in order to meet some of the pre-service requirements, personnel are required to complete two CORE courses that are offered through TLC:
 
What resources does TLC have available to help providers complete pre-service requirements?
The Philadelphia Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Pre-Service Support Handbook (2008) is available on the TLC website. This focuses on the one-time only requirements listed on page 15. An assessment (completed online) to measure knowledge is also available. Go to http://jeffline.jefferson.edu/cfsrp/tlc and click on Resources. A website section for Resource Fund Providers includes pre-service support (from address above click on Philadelphia’s Current Requirements/Programs.)
When does the training year begin and end?
The 24 credit-hours of required training are tracked on a July 1st through June 30th calendar for all infant-toddler early intervention staff, after their initial year of employment in the Philadelphia Infant/Toddler Early Intervention system.
During their initial year of work in the Philadelphia EI system, new staff need to complete pre-service and other specific requirements within their first 12 months of employment. For most staff, the end of their initial year of employment in Philadelphia will not coincide with start of the July-June tracking period. Use the table on the next page to clarify when the annual training year begins for specific staff who are new to the Philadelphia Infant/Toddler Early Intervention system since 2008.
Date of Initial Hire
into Philadelphia
Infant/Toddler
Early Intervention
|
First-year
requirements met
(new to Philadelphia)
|
First Annual Training
Year as "experienced
staff" (begin tracking
24 credit hours)
|
|---|
|
January—June, 2009
|
Within 12 months
of initial hire date
|
July 1, 2010—
June 30, 2011
|
|
July—December, 2009
|
Within 12 months
of initial hire date
|
July 1, 2010—
June 30, 2011
|
|
January—June, 2010
|
Within 12 months
of initial hire date
|
July 1, 2011—
June 30, 2012
|
|
July—December, 2010
|
Within 12 months
of initial hire date
|
July 1, 2011—
June 30, 2012
|
Note about contractors who work with multiple agencies:
When a contractor signs a contract with an agency and can document that they have been in the system with another provider and they have previously taken and completed the Core Training in Philadelphia County, they do not need to take the Core Training again. The current agency tracks training for these contractors on the July 1st thru June 30th year basis.
When a contractor has not worked in Philadelphia County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention with another provider, or there is no documentation that they have completed Core Training, they are treated as an employee who is new to Philadelphia EI. Please note that they must take and complete the Core Training in their first year of employment.
I started working in Philadelphia County 7 months ago and have completed some of the CORE Requirements. I'm leaving this agency and beginning to work for another Philadelphia company next week. Do I start over again and will I have another 12-month period to complete the pre-service requirements?
Pre-service and CORE requirements are based on your entry into the Philadelphia County Infant/Toddler Early Intervention system, and not on the time you work for a particular agency The CORE Requirements that you have already completed are valid and you should let your new supervisor know what you have already accomplished, providing copies of your TLC Transcript and any completion certificates you've earned. You will still need to complete all of the pre-service requirements within the first year you are providing services in Philadelphia County. In your case, you have 5 more months to complete the pre-service requirements.
I work in surrounding counties and I only provide services for two children/families in Philadelphia, can I just do part of the credits?
The EI regulations require all people who are working with children and families in EI to complete pre-service and annual training requirements. Philadelphia County MRS requires providers to complete specific training activities in order to meet training requirements. Even if you provide services for only one child/family in Philadelphia County, you must complete all of the required training activities. The requirements prepare you for working in the in the Philadelphia County Infant/Toddler early intervention system and help ensure that all children and families receive quality services.
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How do I find out about opportunities that meet annual early intervention training requirements?
Your orientation by the agency for whom you are working will introduce you to the training requirements and answer your specific questions. In addition to information on specific TLC courses, see the TLC Handbook, for more details.
Can the classes that I'm taking in graduate school be used to meet Philadelphia's Infant/Toddler Early Intervention annual training requirements?
Philadelphia County is responsible for the content of all training and will consider requests for substitutions on a case-by-case basis. Your coursework may be accepted as self-choice credits. The criteria for acceptance are as follows:
- Class must be for graduate or undergraduate credits. (Most continuing education courses will not be sufficient, but if there is a course that meets the criteria outlined, the County will consider it).
- Class must directly relate to the individual's area of service delivery in Infant/Toddler Early Intervention.
- There must be direct 'skills building' application to infants/toddlers and/or families served.
- Course content must support the philosophical direction and service delivery focus of the Commonwealth and Philadelphia County.
- The course must be relevant to early intervention services, child development, community resources, or services for children with disabilities.
- Content should include discussion of cross-cultural application or cultural competence.
- Assignments must assess level of skills acquired, or individual must be willing to do a subsequent assignment (from TLC) that will enable skills to be assessed by the County.
Documentation needed for consideration is as follows:
- Request must come to your county program analyst from the EIP Director (not from the individual staff), after the agency EIP Director has reviewed the information and determined that it meets the criteria for county review/acceptance.
- EIP Director in conjunction with staff should identify (in the request to the County) the areas of relevance as outlined above and how the 'skill building' requirements will be met.
- A complete description of the class must be provided to the county in the original form that was distributed by the institution providing the course (course catalog, college issued pamphlet or brochure). Please include how many and the type of credits that will be given for the class.
- Additional information should be submitted if it is needed to substantiate the inclusion of identified areas listed above.
- Contact information for the course instructor must be provided so direct contact can be made about the course subject matter or assignments as needed.
- Before TLC credit is given, individual must document that they received a grade of "C" or better in the course.
What are PICC activities and why is early intervention service providers' participation valuable?
Federal Law (IDEA) and Pennsylvania State Regulations require that each county establish an inter-agency coordination council that is supported by the Part C (0-3 Early Intervention) and Part B (3-5 early intervention) coordinators. Our region's group is called the Philadelphia Inter Agency Coordinating Council (PICC). The PICC is a collaboration of families, early intervention providers and early childhood community agencies.
Parents are informed about the PICC when they initially enter early intervention and they receive the quarterly PICC newsletter, annual calendar of events and other mailings. Early Intervention service providers also need to be informed about the PICC and its purpose and activities because they are the ones who see families in their homes and communities on a routine basis. They can encourage parent involvement and be a source of information to parents who may have questions about the PICC. Additionally, whenever possible, early intervention service providers should also participate in the activities of the PICC to ensure that the issues, concerns and perspectives of EI service providers generally are brought to the attention of the PICC.
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How do I know what courses TLC offers this year and how do I register?
You can check the TLC Monthly Calendar online to see course titles for each month at a glance. You can register directly from the calendar by clicking on the date and title of the course you wish to attend. Courses and registration are also listed on the website by type, such as all Self-Choice options. Go to http://jeffline.jefferson.edu/cfsrp/tlc and click on TLC Courses/Programs.
What do I need to do in order to attend a TLC training?
All TLC training sessions require registration. Select your course at http://jeffline.jefferson.edu/cfsrp/tlc/courses.html and then follow the links to register.
What if I need to leave a training session early - will I still earn credit?
You are expected to stay for the entire length of the session and you should register for courses that do not conflict with other necessary appointments in your schedule. If you know that you will need to leave early, select another session to attend. If you have an unexpected need to leave early, discuss this with the course instructor who will make a decision regarding the credits you earn.
If the weather is bad, how do I know if a training has been cancelled?
Every effort is made to hold trainings and TLC courses are RARELY cancelled. If the presenter makes the decision to cancel, a message will be posted on the TLC phone at 215-503-4019. The training will then be rescheduled. It is important to listen to the phone message the entire way through. The message about cancellation will not be the first thing you hear. When at all possible, any changes will be also be posted on the TLC website in the registration section for the specific training program that's affected.
How do I document my attendance at a TLC course?
Make sure that you sign in when you attend training sessions. If you do not sign in, you will not get credit. Attendance is generally NOT the only requirement to earn credit for course completion Course instructors will explain any assignments or activities that are required in order to earn credits for the specific course (see pages 10-11 for more detailed information about certificates).
Transcript for Credits Earned Through TLC
TLC offers a "transcript system" to provide documentation of annual training credits. This feature enables internet access to a customized listing for each person who registers for TLC courses. Go to http://jeffline.jefferson.edu/cfsrp/tlc/transcript/ and use your WebID to log in.
How does the transcript work?
When an individual registers for any course through the TLC website, the course title and date, along with the registration date are automatically recorded into that person’s transcript. Once the person’s attendance at a TLC program, and their satisfactory completion of any specific course requirements, are entered into TLC records, the transcript indicates that credits have been earned. A link is then visible so that if needed, individual course verifications may be printed and given to the EI agency for inclusion in the provider’s file. The entire transcript can be printed at any time for a current and complete record.
You may wish to periodically access and print a copy of your transcript to serve as a reminder of the upcoming courses in which you are enrolled. If a schedule change is necessary and you find that you cannot attend a program for which you have previously enrolled, please cancel your registration, using the link in your transcript. If you do not cancel your registration in a course you cannot attend, after the course has been held, it will remain on your transcript—with a notation that you did not earn credits for that program.
How do I obtain a certificate for training completed through the state, EITA, or PATTAN?
TLC does not provide certificates for PATTAN-sponsored sessions nor are these automatically sent to you. You need to go to the PATTAN website and click on "Online Registration." Follow the directions to log on and view your transcript. Print a copy of your transcript and give it to your supervisor to document your attendance at the course.
How can I get a camera to make a videotape for a TLC assignment?
Check with your agency supervisor to find out what resources may be available to you. TLC does have cameras available for loan. You need to pick up and return the camera to the TLC offices at Thomas Jefferson University.
How do I get certificates for TLC courses I've completed?
Access your TLC Transcript. From there you can print out certificates for any TLC courses you have taken and completed since the start of the 2006-07 training year. More information about the TLC Transcript system is available in the TLC Handbook.
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I am looking into what types of assistive technology may help a toddler who needs support so that he can play with his peers in child care. What resources are available to help me as I get started?
Your early intervention agency may have a "lending library" of equipment that you can borrow and lend to the child care center for a trial period. Look into resources that are available through Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program at Temple University. You can request a consultation and a PIAT staff member will arrange to work with you, the family and child care providers as you explore options. Short-term loan of devices is available. PIAT also has information about funding resources. If you would like to request technical assistance for a family in the Philadelphia birth-3 system, please complete the AT Request Form and submit it to PIAT according to instructions on the form.
Another helpful resource is PaTTAN, the state's training and technical assistance network. You can borrow materials, register for training and review numerous online materials and resources from the website.
I have identified some assistive technology that I believe will help a young child as she learns to feed herself. Where does the family turn for funding assistance?
The IFSP team should meet to discuss this and determine whether specific AT services and supports need to be included in the IFSP. The Service Coordinator will guide the team through processes to address AT needs that are included in the IFSP.
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Directions to TLC related meetings
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