Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - KEIS New Provider Training
Overview
The Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program (CEITMP) offers pediatric providers across Kentucky a unique opportunity to enhance their professional practice through free, high-quality professional development. Participants gain access to a strong network of early intervention (EI) colleagues, benefit from licensure support including CEUs and course credit and may earn a Provider Matrix designation. Beyond these credentials, the program equips providers with the tools to build stronger relationships with families and increase caregiver confidence—key elements in promoting positive developmental outcomes for children.
CEITMP emphasizes a coaching model in which early intervention providers partner with families to support their capacity to help their children learn and grow. This approach values the family’s deep knowledge of their child and daily routines, positioning them as the central driver of developmental progress. Providers learn how to guide families in identifying their own priorities and generating and practicing strategies within the context of everyday life. Coaching can be applied with all families and is a powerful method for reinforcing a family-centered approach that leads to more sustainable, impactful outcomes.
Specific Services Details
The Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program (CEITMP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide pediatric providers with a comprehensive overview of evidence-based coaching practices and their application in diverse early intervention settings. The FAQs cover key aspects of the program, including training structure, the role of providers and support from stakeholders and POE staff. Topics include best practices for recording visits, maintaining fidelity to coaching models and integrating caregiver interactions. Additionally, the document outlines opportunities for continuing education credits (CEUs), guidance on documentation within IFSPs, billing procedures and strategies for transitioning from traditional therapy models. The FAQs also offer insights into how providers can apply coaching in real-world scenarios to enhance family-centered care.
Up to 3 hours of graduate course credit from the University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development through an Independent Study in Special Education (EDSP 696) can be earned for those willing to pay tuition.
The CEITMP has approved CEU hours for state licensure with the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy, Kentucky Physical Therapy Association and the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
Project Director
Scott D. Tomchek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Dr. Tomchek has over 25 years of pediatric clinical practice, teaching, scholarship and research experience in various settings. Strengths-based, family-centered care is central to all programs he touches. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1991 and his post-professional Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1993 with a concentration in early intervention. His Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences from 2005 is from the University of Kentucky. His research has included highly sited studies characterizing sensory processing in autism, American Occupational Therapy Association sponsored practice guidelines and numerous book chapters. Additionally, he was one of the first to describe the prevalence of and link sensory processing to behaviors associated with autism. He frequently speaks at interdisciplinary national conferences on early intervention, coaching, sensory processing and autism topics. Dr. Tomchek is a Governor appointee on the Kentucky Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Interagency Coordinating Council for Kentucky’s Early Intervention System.
Coordinator
Denise E. Insley, MS
Denise Insley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1992 and her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1995. She has over 17 years of experience as a mental health therapist, program director, clinical coordinator and child/adolescent clinical lead in community and private mental health settings. She served as a university course instructor for the Psychology and Criminal Justice departments, First Year Courses and Upward Bound program at Eastern Kentucky University. As EKU Mentoring Coordinator, she worked with university faculty, staff and student mentors to provide positive experiences and supports to at-risk middle and high school students. In academic advisor and specialist roles, she provided support to both students and single parents pursuing college degrees. Throughout her varied positions, promoting children and family success has been a consistent focus.
Master Coaches
Serena Wheeler, PhD, IECE, assistant professor and associate director CEITMP
Serena Wheeler has dedicated over 30 years to serving children and families. She trains and mentors EI Providers in the CEITMP and supports ongoing program quality and improvements efforts. She received her BA in Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College, her MAE in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from Western Kentucky University and her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction for Special Education from the University of Louisville. She is active in the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children, which promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices to support young children who have or at risk for developmental delays and disabilities and their families. She has worked as an early interventionist/evaluator; student teacher supervising provider; public preschool teacher; university instructor; and behavioral health therapist/case manager until transitioning in 2017 to an early intervention specialist coach for Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (KEIS) providers. Her primary areas of interest are evidence-based practices related to effective professional development for EI providers and coaching to build family capacity in Part C EI.
Cybil Cheek, MEd, DI, TDHH
Cybil Cheek completed her Masters in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education at the University of Louisville and her undergraduate dual degree at Eastern Kentucky University in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and Elementary Education. Post-graduate studies include DIR/Floortime and ECTP (Educational Consultant Training Program on Cochlear Implants). She has been an active provider in Kentucky Early Intervention System since 2000, currently mentoring providers, supporting statewide rollout and technology platforms. She has a special interest to support children and families influenced by Charge Syndrome and Deaf/Blindness.
Michele Magness, PT
Michele Magness owned and operated a Physical Therapy Company for over 20 years. During that time, she served as an independent PT provider for the Kentucky early intervention system as well as several school districts in south central Kentucky. She then joined the Coaching in Early Intervention Mentorship and Training Program staff serving as a coach for providers in the Kentucky Early Intervention System. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from New Jersey City University and her graduate degree in Physical Therapy from The Robert Gordon University. She is Certified in Interactive Metronome and is a frequent speaker at Cystic Fibrosis conferences in Kentucky.
Lisa Simpson, MS, CCC-SLP
Lisa Simpson earned her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Western Kentucky University. She has 25 years of experience working in the school system, home health, rehabilitation, long term care and hospital settings. Lisa devoted 22 years to serving families in Early Intervention prior to joining the CEITMP team.
Julie M. Leezer, BS, DI, IECE
Julie Leezer received her 5th year certification in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from the University of Kentucky. She has worked in the field of early intervention/early childhood for 30+ years. Her work has included developmental intervention, service coordinator, preschool consultant, public preschool teacher and credentialed early childhood trainer. Julie has also served as an adjunct instructor at the post-secondary level. The CEITMP has afforded Julie the opportunity to partner with other early interventionists in expanding their practice to include caregiver coaching. Julie joined the Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentoring Program in 2019.
Minda Kohner-Coogle, MA, CCC/SLP
Minda Kohner-Coogle graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2009. She has worked in the early childhood field for 20+ years, including as a data collector at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, a research assistant for the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky and as a Speech Language Pathologist in Kentucky’s Early Intervention System for 10 years. Minda joined the Coaching in Early Intervention Training and Mentorship Program in 2021