Project Description:
The Utah Pyramid Model (UPM) is a statewide, cross-sector initiative that supports the social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children from birth through age five. The UPM brings together Early Intervention, childcare, Head Start, and school districts to create a shared approach to promoting positive social-emotional outcomes for young children across Utah. Currently, the UPM supports 48 programs as they implement Pyramid Model practices.
Through training, coaching, and implementation support, the UPM helps early childhood professionals create nurturing, environments where children can build positive relationships, develop emotional literacy, strengthen self-regulation and problem-solving skills, and successfully participate in everyday activities.
The UPM uses a tiered framework that begins with universal practices that support all children, including strong relationships, supportive environments, predictable routines, and intentional social-emotional teaching. Children who need additional support receive targeted, data-informed instruction and practice, while individualized interventions are provided for children with persistent or intensive challenging behavior.
Implementation is supported through collaboration among program leadership, practitioners, internal coaches, external coaches, families, and community partners. Practice-Based Coaching helps educators identify goals, reflect on their practices, and use focused observation and feedback to strengthen implementation. Programs also use data and fidelity tools to guide decisions, monitor progress, and develop action plans.
By building capacity across sectors, the Utah Pyramid Model creates a coordinated statewide approach that helps more young children develop the social-emotional skills they need to build relationships, communicate their needs, engage in learning, and thrive at home, in early childhood settings, and beyond.
Keyword(s):
Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
