Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health

Offerings

Pre-K Technical Assistance

In-Person Workshops

NJ Preschool Inclusive Education Project (NJPIEP) is excited to offer in-person workshops at each of the Learning Resource Center (LRCs) during the month of March. These FREE workshops are sponsored by the NJDOE Office of Special Education and presented by Montclair State University Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Target Audience
The two-hour workshop is designed for Child Study Team (CST) members and administrators who are supporting preschool programs in NJ school districts with and without preschool expansion aid funding.
Workshop Focus

The workshop will focus on how CST members can use the principles of high-quality early childhood inclusion to support best practices in preschool inclusive education in NJ. During this workshop we will:

  • Review the principles of high-quality early childhood inclusion and research that supports early childhood inclusion.
  • Discuss Tier 1 and Tier 2 strategies that support social emotional development and reduce challenging behaviors in preschool classrooms.
  • Explore how to align and embed IEP goals, as well as supports and services, using the Review of the Preschool Day.

Workshop Locations and Dates

  • LRC North Satellite (William Paterson University) – March 11, 2026; 9:30 am -12:00 pm
  • LRC North (East Orange) – March 18, 2026; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • LRC Central (Trenton) – March 17, 2026; 9:30 am -12:00 pm
  • LRC South (Rowan University) – March 19, 2026; 9:30 am -12:00 pm

Registration Link for In-Person Workshops at LRCs

Virtual Workshops

NJ Preschool Inclusive Education Project (NJPIEP) is excited to offer these virtual workshops during the month of March, 2026. These FREE workshops are sponsored by the NJDOE Office of Special Education and presented by Montclair State University Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health.

Target Audience

These workshops are designed for preschool special and general education staff members and administrators who are supporting preschool programs in NJ school districts with and without preschool expansion aid funding.

Workshop 1: Big 5 Pyramid Model Practices

The Big 5 Practices are core Tier 1 and Tier 2 preventative, evidence-based strategies from the Pyramid Model framework that prevent challenging behavior and promote engagement. When these practices are embedded into daily routines with consistency and fidelity they help to create environments where all children — including those with disabilities or behavioral challenges — can fully participate and thrive.

During this workshop, we will:

  • Identify the Big 5 classroom-wide practices within the Pyramid Model framework.
  • Discuss how these practices create predictable, supportive, and engaging environments for all children.
  • Provide Home and School Connections for each of the Big 5 practices.

Dates and Times (On Zoom: Links to be provided to all who register prior to the workshop)

Tuesday, March 10, 2026; 9:30-11:30 am

Tuesday, March 24, 2026; 12:30-2:30 pm

Workshop 2: Integrating Related Services into Preschool General Education Classrooms

One of the best practices in high-quality early childhood inclusion is to integrate the delivery of related services into general education preschool classrooms.

During this workshop we will:

  • Discuss ways to collaborate with other school-based professionals to plan for the delivery of integrated related services
  • Explore how to coordinate classroom and IEP goals
  • Review preschool daily schedules and ways to embed learning opportunities in to everyday routines and activities

Dates and Times (On Zoom: Links to be provided to all who register prior to the workshop)

Thursday, March 26, 2026; 9:30-11:30 am

Thursday, March 26, 2026; 3:30-5:30 pm

Friday March 27, 2026; 12:30-2:30 pm

Registration Link for Virtual Workshops

Questions: Please direct questions to Corinne Catalano at catalanoc@montclair.edu

Systemic Change Facilitation

The Systemic Change (SC) process involves a three-to-five-year commitment to becoming a more inclusive school. NJPIEP Inclusion Facilitators will provide on and off-site support through strategic planning meetings, trainings, reflective discussions, coaching, and consultation. Each school will develop or utilize an existing team that will drive the implementation of best practices in inclusion. This team will meet monthly with a NJPIEP Inclusion Facilitator who will work with them to identify and work towards implementation of best practices. Districts with and without Preschool Education Aid (PEA) funding are invited to apply. Please note that there are separate applications below for funded and non-funded districts.

Before moving on to a second or third year in the project, the team will work with their Inclusion Facilitator to examine their engagement in the systemic change process as well as their commitment to implementing more inclusive practices.  The goal is for NJPIEP Systemic Change school sites to become NJPIEP Demonstration school sites and serve as exemplars of preschool inclusive education in NJ.

Systemic Change Application

Success of any educational systemic change process requires the commitment of district and school site administrators. Because of this, applications require a commitment pledge by the school site Principal or Director of Early Childhood, the Director of Special Services, and the District Superintendent.

NJPIEP Administrators Commitments Document

Applications for Systemic Change will be released in Spring of 2026