Aspiring Students - Recruitment & Awareness

Early intervention is a rewarding career that will offer you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and their families. The primary role of an early intervention service provider is to support families to increase their child’s participation in everyday routines and activities. Early intervention service providers use coaching interactions during early intervention visits to help parents develop their abilities to interact with children in ways that support their child’s development.

The field of early intervention offers a broad array of career opportunities including early childhood special education teachers, service coordinators, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and more. Job opportunities are available for those with a high school diploma as well as four-year and advanced degrees.

Exploring Pathways to the Early Childhood General and Special Education (ZN) Endorsement

Interested in earning the Michigan Birth–Kindergarten (B–K) ZN Endorsement? This collection of recorded program spotlights was developed to help current and prospective students, early childhood professionals, and career changers learn more about the endorsement pathways available across Michigan.

Representatives from higher education institutions throughout the state share brief overviews of their B–K ZN endorsement programs, highlighting program structure, delivery formats, partnerships, and unique features. Presenters also discuss potential career opportunities supported by the endorsement, including roles in Early Intervention/Early On, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and other early childhood settings.

A common theme across these recordings is the importance of understanding your options early in your educational journey. Many institutions offer opportunities to combine the B–K ZN Endorsement with additional endorsements, certifications, or degree pathways that can broaden employment opportunities and increase flexibility in the workforce. Exploring these options before beginning a program can help you make informed decisions, maximize coursework, and align your preparation with your long-term career goals.

Whether you are just beginning to explore the endorsement or are ready to identify the program that best fits your needs, these recordings offer a convenient way to compare options, ask important questions, and connect with institutions offering this important credential.

We encourage you to use these free recruitment and awareness materials for 0-3 early intervention higher education, inviting and inspiring individuals to consider careers with Early On Michigan.

This task force strategically engages in building, supporting, and sustaining a new education system that can enthusiastically attract, prepare, and retain an effective and diverse special education workforce. 

This one-stop website features over 3,000 fulfilling jobs in ten careers, including early intervention specialists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, and more.

This initiative includes a website and video that highlights professions providing early intervention services. 

Do you have an interest in working with infants and toddlers, birth to three with disabilities and/or special needs, and their families? 

Here you will find many valuable resources to help you better understand the role of an early interventionist and their support to the parent/caregiver in providing learning experiences that help strengthen and promote their child’s participation in family and community life.

This information is adapted with permission from the Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center and edited to align with Michigan's early intervention system.