New Jersey Preschool Inclusive Education Project
Helping districts develop, expand, and improve inclusive practices in early childhood and preschool environments across New Jersey.
Jump to Section Below About NJPIEP
Vision
NJPIEP envisions a state where all students with and without disabilities learn, contribute, and belong as valued members of their school communities.
Mission
NJPIEP supports the inclusion of preschool children with disabilities through leadership development, targeted technical assistance and systemic change facilitation.
Values
Leadership, Collaboration, Equity, Empowerment and Relationships.
Conference
Preschool Inclusion Leadership Conference
The New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education (OSE) is pleased to sponsor the 4th annual Preschool Inclusion Leadership Conference, hosted by the Montclair State University Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health.
This conference is part of the NJ Preschool Inclusive Education Project and will be held in person at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ in late April 2027. Exact date to be confirmed — more information will be released as details are finalized.
Workshops
NJ Preschool Inclusive Education Project (NJPIEP) is excited to offer in-person workshops at each of the Learning Resource Center (LRCs) this Fall. 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.
Please Note: We are using a new Learning Stream registration system this year. All participants will need to create a Learning Stream account the first time they register for an event.
In-Person Workshops
Target Audience
The two and a half 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, High-Quality Inclusion Practices for Early Childhood, 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.
Dates & Locations
Tue, Oct 27, 2026
9:30am–12:30pm
LRC North Satellite
William Paterson University, College of Education, 1600 Valley Road, Suites G001–G016, Wayne, NJ 07470
Thu, Oct 29, 2026
9:30am–12:30pm
LRC South
Rowan University, James Hall Room 1140, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Fri, Dec 11, 2026
9:30am–12:30pm
LRC Central
200 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08625
Virtual Workshops
NJ Preschool Inclusive Education Project (NJPIEP) is excited to offer these virtual workshops during the month of October 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.
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
Sessions
Wed, Oct 14, 2026
9:30am–11:30am
Wed, Oct 14, 2026
3:30pm–5:30pm
Fri, Oct 16, 2026
12:00pm–2:00pm
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.
Sessions
Wed, Oct 21, 2026
9:30am–11:30am
Wed, Oct 28, 2026
12:00pm–2:00pm
Wed, Oct 28, 2026
3:30pm–5:30pm
Preschool New Teacher Academy
NJPIEP, in collaboration with the NJDOE Office of Special Education (OSE), planned and delivered the inaugural Preschool New Teacher Academy (NTA) at LRC-Central in July 2026.
This initiative is specifically designed to support and strengthen early career educators in the preschool setting. Regional preschool NTA's will be offered in the summer of 2027.
More details to follow as they become available.
Systemic Change
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 an interdisciplinary 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.
Systemic Change Application
NJPIEP SY 26–27 Systemic Change applications are closed
Information and applications for NJPIEP SY 27–28 will be released in spring of 2027.
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.
Separate applications for districts with and without Preschool Education Aid (PEA) funding will be posted here when released.
Demonstration Sites
NJPIEP currently has 8 demonstration sites throughout the state that have completed the systemic change process and meet the demonstration site criteria. Administrators in NJPIEP Demonstration Sites host visitors and share their best practices in preschool inclusion.
NJPIEP Demonstration Sites are located in the following school districts:
Belleville
Essex County
Glassboro
Gloucester County
Middletown
Monmouth County
(NON-PEA FUNDED)
Little Ferry
Bergen County
Rahway
Union County
Flemington-Raritan
Hunterdon County
Logan Township
Gloucester County
Washington Township
Gloucester County
If you are interested in visiting one of these sites, please contact NJPIEP program manager, Dr. Corinne Catalano, catalanoc@montclair.edu.
Project Highlights
Recognition
Recognized by the NJ State Special Education Advisory Council
NJ-SSEAC (NJ-State Special Education Advisory Council) recognized NJPIEP as a presenting organization at their 4th Annual Special Education Celebration in June 2026. NJPIEP introduced and honored their first 3 demonstration sites (Belleville, Glassboro and Middletown) during this celebration.
In the Press
Featured by NIEER
A forthcoming magazine article from the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers spotlights one of our demonstration sites.
More coming soon...
Resources
Curated collections you can return to any time.
Preschool Inclusion 101 Padlet
Articles, resources, videos, and templates on the topic of preschool inclusion.
Family Engagement Padlet
A short, introductory webinar on Early Childhood Inclusion for families, available in both English and Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is NJPIEP for?
NJPIEP supports New Jersey school district (LEA) staff, including early childhood general and special education professionals, preschool child study team members, and administrators.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. NJPIEP is federally funded through the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education. All NJPIEP offerings are provided at no cost to participating New Jersey school districts and their staff.
What does the Systemic Change commitment involve?
Systemic Change is a three-to-five-year process. Applications require a commitment pledge signed by the school site Principal or Director of Early Childhood, the Director of Special Services, and the District Superintendent. Each participating school develops an interdisciplinary team that meets monthly with a NJPIEP Inclusion Facilitator.
What is an Inclusion Facilitator?
NJPIEP Inclusion Facilitators provide on- and off-site support to participating schools through strategic planning meetings, trainings, reflective discussions, coaching, and consultation, working with each school's team to identify and implement best practices in inclusion.
Are there resources for families?
Yes. The Family Engagement padlet includes a short introductory webinar on early childhood inclusion, available in both English and Spanish, along with resources for partnering with your district.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
Children’s development is shaped most by the small moments between you
The welcome you give
The calm you keep
The learning you support
Researchers call this Early Relational Health (ERH) — and it's everyone's business. Those moments reach every child when preschool classrooms are built for inclusion. That is exactly what NJPIEP helps New Jersey districts do Learn more →
Get in Touch
Questions About NJPIEP?
Whether you're curious about a workshop, the conference, or whether Systemic Change is right for your district — we're glad to help.