The First Start Coordinator Training Session teaches child care personnel, health, early childhood education, other related professionals, and parents to administer the course. It may be offered as a complete 45-hour course or in modules as an inservice, designed to prepare paraprofessionals and education aides for:

1. Direct care of infants, toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities and/or chronic illness
2. Understanding of special procedures and skills
3. Communication with parents and others
4. Cooperation and networking among health, education, child care and other services

The First Start curriculum is taught by an interdisciplinary team. The emphasis is on how to prepare paraprofessionals to work with education and health services. It encourages paraprofessionals to assist families in finding community resources. Topics included in the First Start class are in four categories with a special supplement on invasive procedures. These categories are Human Development, Chronic Conditions, Care Needs and Communication/Community Support. Students of the 45-hour course curriculum participate in approximately nine hours of practica. Information on practicum experiences developed for the First Start Program is available to Coordinator Training participants.