Paraprofessional Preparation for Improvement Program (PAPI)

The Center on Inclusion and Early Childhood Care & Education at the Teaching Research Institute (TRI) has been awarded a four year grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Patricia M. Blasco, Associate Research Professor, is principal investigator for this award which totals $600,000 over a period of 4 years.

The goal of PAPI is to improve the knowledge and skills of paraprofessionals currently working toward an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) to work with young children with disabilities. Specifically, Project PAPI will provide technical assistance to community college instructors from these institutions to:

1. enhance existing coursework or develop needed coursework to increase knowledge and skills for working with young children with disabilities;
   
2. infuse inclusion competencies into already existing ECE competencies and standards addressed by the program.

Our Community College Partners

The Paraprofessional Preparation for Improvement Program (PAPI) project is a collaborative effort between TRI, the College of Education at Western Oregon University and four Oregon community colleges: Southwestern Oregon Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Portland Community College, and Blue Mountain Community College.

Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) serves five counties in northeastern Oregon. The two-year A.A.S. degree program in early childhood education, prepares students to work with young children from birth through eight years of age in a variety of settings.

Chemeketa Community College (CCC), located in Salem, Oregon offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education for individuals interested working in care and education programs for children birth through eight.

Portland Community College, the largest educational institution in Oregon, has three campuses in the greater Portland area. The Early Education and Family Studies program at PCC offers the skills needed to succeed in the area of childhood development, education centers, child care and assisted education.

Southwestern Oregon Community College, located in Coos Bay on the southern coast of Oregon, is home to one of only two NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited degree programs in Oregon! It offers an associate degree with articulation options for both Portland State and Southern Oregon University.

Download PAPI Press Release.