The idea for the series began with a conversation between Jennifer Champagne and Dawn Koger, two early childhood consultants at an educational service agency. They recruited Marian Orihel to develop and facilitate the series. The initial feedback from participants was positive and Jennifer began to study the series as part of her dissertation work.
Jennifer Champagne has been working with children, families and teachers for over 20 years. She earned a M.Ed. from Oakland University in Early Childhood Education and a Ph.D from Kent State University. She is endorsed as an Infant Family Specialist by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (IMH-E® (II). She is an early childhood consultant at Oakland Schools, an educational service agency in Southeast Michigan. Her responsibilities include offering professional development for early childhood educators in the areas of social and emotional learning. She currently serves on the state board for the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. Her research interests at Kent State included a focus on the application of infant mental health principles and practices in early care and education. Her dissertation, Relationships count: A qualitative case study of a professional learning series for early interventionists, was completed in 2015.
Marian Orihel has been a special educator for over 30 years, more than 15 working with with babies, toddlers and their families. She has a Master’s in Education and is endorsed through the Michigan Infant Mental Health Association as an Infant Mental Health Specialist , IMH-E® (III). Marian currently works as a parent educator/trainer for Early On, Oakland County, Michigan, and also works as an independent contractor for various agencies and schools. Supporting parents and caregivers in their work with young children is at the heart of Marian’s work. She is passionate about the infant mental health field and has served on the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health state board and local chapter for the past several terms.
Dawn Koger has been working with children and families for over 25 years in a variety of settings. Most of her experience has been in providing support and education to parents of children 0-3. She earned an M.S.W. from Wayne State University and a PhD in Human Ecology from Michigan State University. She is an early childhood consultant at Oakland Schools, an educational service agency in Southeast Michigan. Her responsibilities include serving as the Part C coordinator, implementing a system of supports and services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or established health conditions. She offers professional development and technical assistance for a diverse group of community partners regarding evidence based practices in the field of early intervention.
Part C of IDEA, or Early Intervention, is the federal system of services and supports for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or established medical conditions, and their families. To receive the federal grant, each state designates a lead agency to administer the program. In Michigan, Part C is referred to as Early On ® and delivered through the State Education Agency. In turn, the Michigan Department of Education distributes the funds and oversight responsibilities to each of the state’s 57 Intermediate School Districts. Oakland Schools is the ISD in Oakland County, a large suburban county north of Detroit. There are 28 local education agencies, or school districts, within Oakland Schools’ geographic boundaries that provide early intervention services to children and families.