EPLI (Effective Practices Leadership Initiative)
Trainer Process
EPLI is an effort to increase regional and local district capacity to effectively educate students with ASD
(Autism Spectrum Disorder) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The project includes developing
trainers who can provide professional development in ASD and Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) for their
regional and local district staff and developing Coaches who assist in the follow-up support necessary to
assure that EBP and other effective supports are implemented with fidelity.
This document outlines the requirements necessary for a school professional to become an approved
presenter of START content. Approved START trainers can provide professional development in START
content in their local and regional areas as outlined in their RCN grant, local PD plan, school
improvement and/or as requested and approved by their local administration.
There are two trainer levels in the START EPLI project.
Level 1 Trainers go through a rigorous process to be approved by START staff to present START content
in their local and regional areas.
Level 2 trainers apply to and are approved by their local RCN to develop training materials and present
information that provides a specific example of the application of START information based on EBP (e.g.
high school peer to peer program implementation, use of self-management system in general
education, systematic use of meeting mechanics, etc.). The RCN maintains a list of approved Level 2
trainers using the EPLI Level 2 Trainer Report (http://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/epli-effectivepractices-leadership-initiative-166.htm ) and submits to START at the mid and end year reporting time.
EPLI Level 1 START Trainer Process
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY TO BE A LEVEL 1 TRAINER: Trainers who wish to apply to become a START
approved trainer must possess the following:
 Hold a Michigan Department of Education credential
 Be employed by a public school system in Michigan
 Have at least 3 years of experience working with students with ASD
 Possess strong content knowledge of ASD and effective supports for students with ASD
 Have knowledge and skills in teaming and problem solving
 Have good public speaking skills and willingness to develop these skills
 Possess a strong working relationship and credible reputation with colleagues as demonstrated by
recommendations
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: If a potential applicant believes he/she meets the requirements to
apply to be a Level 1 START approved trainer, the following information must be submitted to START.
Application materials are located on the START website (http://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/eplieffective-practices-leadership-initiative-166.htm ) and must be received in the START office by Oct. 1,
2014 to be considered for that school year’s process:
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Complete the EPLI Level 1 Trainer Application (NOTE: You must have a supervisor approve your
application to participate by signing in the designated area on the application);
Submit 3 recommendation checklists with at least one from a current administrator and one
from a current RCN member;
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINER APPROVAL: After applying, if a potential trainer has been accepted by
START to participate in the trainer approval process, an email confirmation will be sent to the applicant.
To become an approved EPLI Trainer, the applicant must then meet the following requirements:
 Attend the training module for which you are seeking approval presented by START staff (e.g.
Educational Strategies and Supports or Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS).
 Attend at least 2 additional modules of the START Intensive Training series or RCN Mini Intensive
Training series (e.g. Foundations, Looking at ASD Differently, Peer to Peer, IEP, etc.)
 Attend Trainer Preparation Day
 Attend and pass competencies at Competency Day
 Receive approval letter from START
REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN EPLI TRAINER STATUS: Once a participant has been approved as a
trainer, the following requirements must be met to maintain trainer approval:
 Inform the RCN that you are an approved trainer and keep your contact information updated
 Agree to co-present with another START approved EPLI Trainer a minimum of
6 hours per year in your local district, ISD, or RCN (Regional Collaborative Network). NOTE: If
approved in both Educational Strategies AND Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
(PBIS), agree to co-present a minimum of 12 total hours per year. Those who do not meet this
requirement without approval from START may be removed from the trainer data-base.
Trainers removed from the data-base can be reinstated with approval from START which may
include additional activities designed to improve knowledge and skills.
 Agree to collect the following information for each training conducted using START materials
and report all information to the local RCN representative twice a year. NOTE: Report deadlines
are February 1 and July 15.
o EPLI Trainer Report
o EPLI Participant Roster
NOTE: Participant Evaluations may be requested if they are consistently low or problems are
reported to the START office.
 Agree to use the training materials only in the manner prescribed by START and not to
substantially modify the content without input from START. Materials can be personally
enhanced with examples, clip art, cartoons, videos, etc. but, the fidelity of the content not
altered.
 Work through your RCN to support coaching for the implementation of EBP to ensure training
follow up;
 Participate in START EPLI Leadership activities and updates.
 Agree to keep updated each year on the forms, training materials, and information provided by
START.
 Commit to a minimum of two years EPLI involvement after START approval.
NOTE: A trainer’s information will be removed from the START EPLI Trainer Database if no
training is reported over one academic year. Trainers can contact START for approval to not
provide training but remain on the database for extenuating circumstances.
EPLI Level 2 Trainer Process
REQUIREMENTS TO SERVE AS A LEVEL 2 TRAINER:
 Hold a Michigan Department of Education credential
 Be currently employed by a public school system in Michigan
 Have at least 2 years of experience working with students with ASD
 Have participated in START activities such as a START Intensive Training series, Mini IT, RCN
meetings, or RCN leadership meetings
 Possess expertise or experience that supplements START module information based on EBP
(e.g. peer to peer, differentiated output, meeting mechanics, specific evidence-based practices)
 Demonstrate good public speaking skills and willingness to develop these skills
 Present with a START-approved Level 1 Trainer
 Be recommended by RCN and two START-approved Level 1 Trainers
Optional
 Attend START Trainer Prep day
EXPECTATIONS ON PRESENTING MATERIAL:
 Develop training materials that provide a specific example of the application of START
information based on EBP (e.g. high school peer to peer program implementation, use of selfmanagement system in general education, systematic use of meeting mechanics).
 Agree to use any START training materials only in the manner prescribed by START and not to
substantially modify the content without input from START. Materials can be personally
enhanced with examples, clip art, cartoons, videos, etc. but, the fidelity of the content not
altered.