Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced the launch of the Family Ambassador Pilot Program to help children transition more seamlessly from Preschool Early Intervention (EI) programs to Kindergarten.
“The Family Ambassador Pilot Program recognizes the essential role of authentic and open collaboration between families and schools as our youngest learners begin their K-12 education,” said PDE Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “This pilot program will provide guidance to families and school professionals, ensuring students feel prepared, and families feel engaged and supported, as they transition into the Kindergarten classroom.”
The Family Ambassador Pilot Program is funded by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) through the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), Success for PA Early Learners (SPEL). Coordinated by the Bureau of Special Education (BSE) and the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS), the program acknowledges the vital role families play in the educational journey of their children and seeks to equip them with the tools and resources needed for a smooth transition to school.
“Family support during the transition from preschool Early Intervention programs into the K-12 school system are essential to helping families feel prepared, and children thrive,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “The Family Ambassador pilot will help us test this model to gauge families’ experiences – providing information that will inform future opportunities to help families and young children through the transition into Kindergarten, setting them up for success in schooling.”
Pennsylvania Preschool Early Intervention programs across the state had the opportunity to apply for this pilot program, and three awardees have been selected to participate. Under the pilot, Berks County Intermediate Unit 14, Chester Upland School District, and Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 will engage Family Ambassadors to serve as a vital link between families and schools, ensuring that families have the information and resources needed for a successful transition into Kindergarten.
Family Ambassadors will provide a wide array of supports, including: connecting families to resources, answering questions about the Early Intervention to Kindergarten transition process, explaining parents’ key role on the IEP team, assisting in navigating the special education process, and sharing specific regional information that will help parents at different stages of their child’s educational journey.
Funding for the program will be available through the 2026-2027 school year. Each entity will receive $148,000 over a three-year period to run the pilot, and insights gained will help enhance transition processes for families across the Commonwealth.
Preschool Early Intervention enhances daily learning opportunities for children with disabilities. Supports and services are designed to meet the developmental needs of children as well as the needs of the family related to enhancing the child's physical development, including vision and hearing; cognitive development; communication development; social or emotional development; or adaptive development.