As a member of the Gunnison Pyramid Leadership Team and a private Pyramid Plus Coach certification candidate, I delivered this presentation to the Gunnison County Department of Health and Human Services staff and Public Health staff during their monthly staff meeting. This overview includes all of the slides created by the Pyramid Plus Center at the University of Colorado Denver to be included in presenting to communities, but also has customized slides that include local strengths like funders and supports, local prevalence data, local implementation history, and local implementation outcome data thus far.

1. PYRAMID PLUS:
THE COLORADO CENTER
FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
COMPETENCE AND
INCLUSION
An Introduction for

2. Special Thanks to Pyramid Plus
Funders
Department of Human Services
 Division of Child Care
 Division for Developmental Disabilities,
Early Intervention Program (Part C)
 Division of Behavioral Health
 Division of Child Welfare
The Colorado Health Foundation
The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
Mile High United Way

3. Local Community Funders and
Supporters
• 2009-ECC & RE1J awarded $10,000 over 4 yrs
from CDE for TA to support preschoolers on IEPs
• 2010-PMLT formed by: EC Centers (5), RE1J (5),
CW (2), MH (2), EC Home (1), Higher Ed (1), ECC
(2)
• 2011-El Pomar‟s San Juan Regional Foundation
grant-$20k grants after Joan presented ECC
Strategic Plan
• Pending Gunnison/Hinsdale Early Childhood
Council $2500 (RTTT-Early Learning State?)
• 1 Certified Trainer & 1 Coach Certification

4. Presentation Objectives
• Participants will understand the history and
role of The Pyramid Plus Center
• Participants will understand the tiered supports
available for scale up and sustainability in
communities
• Participants will understand where they are
and where they are going in their community
• Participants will understand how Pyramid can
support their agency.

5. Pyramid Plus Center Overall
Goal
to ensure the high fidelity implementation in
early care and education services of two
national models:
• Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional
Competence of Infants and Young Children [Center on
the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
(CSEFEL); Technical Assistance Center on Social
Emotional Interventions (TACSEI)]
• SpecialQuest Birth-Five Approach to Early Childhood
Inclusion of children with or at risk for disabilities with
other related evidence-based inclusion practices
(Building Blocks, LEAP, etc.)

6. Pyramid Plus Center Objectives
1. Support state collaboration, interagency teams
Support state policy team
Partner with other initiatives
Liaison with national centers
2. Provide Training and Technical Assistance for
Communities, childcare providers, families
Certification for coaches and trainers
Certification of Pyramid Plus programs
3. Establish rigorous evaluation systems
Data that inform programs / communities
Plan for sustainability
Engage in effective management

7. Prevalence Data
• Faculty in higher education early childhood
programs report that their graduates are least
likely to be prepared to work with children with
persistently challenging behavior.
(Hemmeter, Santo &Ostrosky, 2004)
• Preschool children are three times more likely to
be “expelled” than children in grades K-12.
(Gilliam, 2005)
• There are evidence-based practices that are
effective in changing this developmental
trajectory…the problem is not what to do, but
rests in ensuring access to intervention and

8. Colorado - Fiscal Factors
• In Colorado, it costs $433 for one year of
mental health consultation (prevention plus
early intervention) versus:
• $1,488 for one month in a child placement agency
foster home
• $760 for two days in a psychiatric residential
treatment facility
• $2,878 for two weeks in youth corrections
Denver Department of Education

9. Colorado Statistics
• In Colorado it is estimated that 10 in every 10,000
children under the age of six are removed from
early care and education settings for behavior
issues, a rate three times higher than the state‟s K-
12 expulsion rate
• Over 21% of Colorado parents of children ages 6
and younger have concerns about their child‟s
emotions, concentration, behavior or getting along
with others. Of these parents, 79% had never
accessed counseling or treatment.
Denver Department of Education

10. Colorado Statistics
Of Colorado‟s 350,000 children under the age of
6, approximately 31,500 are estimated to have
serious emotional disturbances
Approximately 4000 of these children received
mental health services through Colorado‟s
public mental health system
 Division of Behavioral Health‟s Prevalence Estimates for Colorado Study
(2006); Colorado Department of Human Services January 2008

11. Why is This Important to
Implement in My Community?
• Do you believe these 2 national models are
important to implement with high fidelity?
Why?
• School readiness in SE skills is a driving factor
in our underserved/at-risk populations.
• NPP & NFP use evidence-based models too
• Gunnison is known for great collaboration: (ie.
HB1451/OG, ECC, Partners Plus, GCSAAP)

12. Community Data
• 2009 ECC Community Assessment: 500
licensed child care spots for 1,000 children
aged 0-5; CMH reported 1/yr accessed mental
health
• Gunnison‟s only designated ECMH consultant
works out of Montrose CMH office and is
remotely able to consult in Gunnison
• Current RE1J school counselor:student ratio is
1:450 (ASCA recommends 1:250)
• According to CO statistics (1/10,000 expelled)
so we may have experienced 1

13. From Pyramid Model to
Pyramid Plus Center in
Colorado
 2001, US Head Start and Child Care Bureaus funded
the Center on Social and Emotional Foundations for
Early Learning (CSEFEL) and the US Dept of Education
funded the Technical Assistance Center for Social
Emotional Interventions (TACSEI)
 2005, CO selected as a CSEFEL/Pyramid Model state;
the interagency Pyramid Model Partnership (PMP) was
formed
 2006 - 07, the PMP and CDE trained 350 people and
13 coaches trained and selected three demonstration
sites
 2008, CO selected as SpecialQuest State.

14. Pyramid Work History
(continued)
 2008 – 2009, Colorado Partnership for Families and
Children funded by Buell Foundation for continued
support of Pyramid
 Pyramid and SpecialQuest Team members proposed a
state center to combine professional development
efforts, scale up and sustain the work statewide
 RFP was issued and granted to UCD with support from
Child Care, Developmental Disabilities/Part C, and
Behavioral Health
 October 1, 2009, Pyramid Plus: the Colorado Center for
Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion was
launched
 Additionally, CDE was awarded a five year (2009-2014)

15. Recent Pyramid Plus Center
 2010, Pyramid Plus received a grant from The Colorado
Health Foundation; a three year extension was granted
in Fall 2011
 2011, Pyramid Plus and Division of Child Welfare
partnered on a community sustainability project
 2012, Pyramid Plus received funding from The Temple
Hoyne
Buell Foundation and Mile High United Way

16. Community History with
Pyramid Work
• Fall ‟09-Discussion began b/w ECC & RE1J w/ TA
from CDE & PPC
• Mar ‟10-ECC Strategic Plan includes Pyramid
Implementation from ‟09 Community Assessment
• A PLT was organized and Stepping Stones
committed to implementation of Pyramid and be the
fiscal manager.
• Aug ‟10-ECC hosts a preschool Module Training in
CB
• ‟11-13-Certification of 2 Trainers & 2 Coach
Candidates for sustainability (1Trainer & 1 Coach

17. Pyramid Plus Center Values
 Our Technical Assistance (TA) efforts must be based on the best
available evidence and be affordable, feasible, acceptable and effective
across diverse populations of children, families, communities and
programs, including typical early childhood settings
 The outcomes of TA efforts must be valued by families and by the
community
 Our work must be collaborative, building on and embedding the work of
others
 Families, community leaders and program personnel including
administrators and direct service personnel play a vital role in the
design, implementation, and evaluation of the Center‟s efforts
 Practices intended to improve social, emotional, and behavioral
development and promote inclusion are designed primarily to enhance
competencies
rather than remediate problems of children, families, and personnel

18. Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional
Competence and Addressing Challenging
Behavior
Intervention
Children with
intensive support
needs
Prevention
Children at
Risk
Promotio
n
All
children

20. Pivotal Concepts
 Tiered approaches that promote outcomes for all children
(Pyramid Model, Inclusion Model, TA Model)
(Universal, Targeted, Intensive)
 Evidence-based practices (EBP) (see definition in next
slide)
 Teaching to fidelity: implementing practices or
interventions as intended by the developer (typically
takes coaching to achieve)
 Scaling-up: bringing the practice or model to more
programs and families
 Sustainability: continuing the high fidelity implementation
over a sustained period of time

21. Evidence-based Practices
TACSEI definition:
 interventions and supports that have research
documenting their effectiveness
 approaches that are linked to positive outcomes for
children and families
 practices that have been demonstrated as effective
within multiple research studies with similar outcomes

22. Fidelity
 Fidelity of implementation is the extent to which an
intervention (including its content and process) is
implemented in comparison to its intended design
 Amount of intervention received (dosage/exposure)
 What the intervention approach looks like when it is
implemented (quality)
 How much participants respond to, or are engaged by,
an intervention (participant responsiveness)
 Fidelity measures (tools) report the degree of
implementation variance from the intended design of the
intervention strategy

23. Pyramid Plus Technical
Assistance (TA) Approach
Tiered:
 Universal: available to anyone = website, information
resource, electronic newsletter, webinars, etc.
 Targeted: tailored to specific groups =
teachers, caregivers, service
providers, administrators, coaches, demonstration
sites, trainers, communities, and families
 Intensive: face-to-face TA = coach, trainer, and
demonstration site certification candidates

24. Pyramid Plus Approach:
Universal
Website - www.pyramidplus.org
• Pyramid Plus Center Staff Information
• State Team Member Information
• Links to state and national technical assistance resources
• Webinars on selected topics open to public
• Information regarding social emotional development, challenging
behavior, and inclusion practices
• Certified Trainers, Coaches and programs
• Links / contact information to relevant local, regional and state
resources
• Trainer and Coach Certification information and applications
• Pyramid Plus Center Annual Report
• Information on Pyramid Plus Center and Pyramid Plus Approach
• Statewide / Community Pyramid Plus Approach certified training
information
• Information on data systems and data based decision making
• Other resources

25. NEW: Pyramid Plus Approach
Training Modules Program Pyramid Plus Approach
Target
Pyramid
Classroom Teachers, Plus: Health Providers, Parents,
Audience Administrators, Early Intervention Home Care Providers, Community
Providers, Mental Health Providers Members, Child Welfare
Content Organized around CSEFEL Organized across the birth – 5 years
Pyramid modules either developmental continuum (one
Infant/Toddler or Preschool (two general session)
strands)
Materials Based on CSEFEL &TACSEI Based on CSEFEL, TACSEI,
SpecialQuest, Building Blocks, LEAP,
PTR-YC, and other evidence based
practices
Examples Primarily Center Based Infant, Toddler & Preschool Center,
Home & Community
Training Accessible from handbook and Prepared materials „chunked‟ for ease
Materials websites to create your own and flexibility of scheduling
trainings (18 sessions)
Follow up Focused around certification Specific content based on participant
webinars requirements / needs only needs

26. Pyramid Plus Approach

27. Community Data
• 80 participants in the PPA trainings in the last
2 years it‟s been offered.
• 411 children and their families are being
impacted by the Pyramid Plus Approach
Trainings that are provided in the counties.
• One of our sites showed their areas of
performance and structure on the TPOT is
now at a high quality
• 2011-12 Benchmarks of Quality show lots of
room for improvement.

28. Pyramid Plus TA Approach:
Targeted
• Trainer Certification
• Coach Certification
• Demonstration Site Certification (4 site certified)
• Partnership with Implementation Communities
and Programs

29. Process for Pyramid Plus
Certified Trainers and Coaches
• Must have attended all 18 Pyramid Plus Approach
sessions „in order‟ as first step to certification
• Pay fee and sign agreement to meet all requirements
within 1 calendar year (coaching and/or training
requirements)
• Participate in an on-going individualized professional
development plan, observations, self
evaluations, feedback, webinars, and other
training/support from Pyramid Plus staff
• Coach and Trainer certification candidates must complete
and score at required levels on all coach or trainer
activities
• Expectation: 20% FTE for Pyramid Plus work (Coach)

30. Certification Benefits for
Trainers and Coaches
• Direct on-site support to trainer or coach candidate
• Professional development plan created for each trainer or
coach candidate
• Video and on-site observations give trainer or coach
candidate feedback
• Monthly web-based trainings to enhance training or
coaching
• List of Pyramid Plus Certified Trainers and Coaches
posted on the Pyramid Plus website for assisting programs
and communities
• Certification - part of a career ladder
• Electronic access to Pyramid Plus Approach materials

31. Pyramid Plus Certified
Demonstration Sites
There are four certified Demonstration Sites in
Colorado
• TA in establishing and maintaining a Leadership
Team
• On-site certification coach and trainer support
• Data collection systems and analysis on high
fidelity, program wide implementation, individual
classroom performance, and child outcomes
• On-going professional development on inclusion
and reducing challenging behaviors
• Family and community involvement (e.g.

32. Implementation Communities
Implementation Communities selected through a request
for proposal (RFP) process receive free Pyramid Plus
Approach Training and Technical Assistance
Components:
 Community Leadership
 Training and Coaching Infrastructure (certification
required)
 Local childcare program to serve as an
Implementation Program
 Community readiness and resources for sustainability
Go to www.pyramidplus.org for more information

33. Pyramid Plus Center
TA Approach: Intensive
Short Term:
• Certify current Coaches, Trainers, and Demonstration
Sites who are enrolled in the certification process
• Provide training as first step to certification to new
coaches/trainers/programs
• Work with Implementation Communities and Programs
• Build upon current resources for information requests
and referrals
Long Term:
Build state and local capacity through certified Pyramid
Plus trainers, coaches, and programs

34. Pyramid Plus State Policy Team
• Vision: All early childhood settings support the
social and emotional development and inclusion
of all children birth through five
• Mission: To promote a collaborative
professional development system that fosters
and sustains the state-wide, high-fidelity use of
the Pyramid Model and SpecialQuest
Approach, with other related evidence-based
practices integrated with relevant Colorado
efforts

35. State Team Representative
Agencies
Colorado Department of Human Services
 Child Welfare Services
 Early Intervention Colorado
 Child Care/EC Councils
Colorado Department of Education
 Preschool Education and Child Find
 Office of Early Learning and School Readiness
JFK Partners/University of Colorado
Qualistar Colorado
Office of the Lt. Governor
Higher Education

36. Pyramid Plus Center
Sustainability

37. Contact Us
Pyramid Plus: the Colorado Center for Social
Emotional Competence and Inclusion
University of Colorado Denver
1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 643
Denver, CO 80204
pyramidplus@ucdenver.edu
www.pyramidplus.org
Join us on Facebook

38. Community Contact
• Margaret Wacker, ECC Coordinator,
mwacker@gunnisoncounty.org tel: (970) 641
7913
• PPA Trainings: Jane Maloney (970) 641-7770
or next 3-day training is in Denver this Fall.
• FAQ on the PPC website for those interested
in learning more about trainer/coach
certifications
QUESTIONS????