Program-wide implementation of the Pyramid Model: Supporting fidelity at the program and classroom levels

Many early childhood programs are not prepared to meet the needs of children who have significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Program-Wide Supports for Pyramid Model Implementation (PWS-PMI) provides a systematic approach to supporting early childhood programs using Pyramid Model practices and enhancing children's social-emotional outcomes that is grounded in implementation science. We designed the current study to test the PWS-PMI intervention and examine its feasibility of implementation in community-based early childhood programs serving children from low-income environments. In this study, we found programs increased their implementation of PWS-PM and improved classroom practices after only one year of support. Our findings indicate a program-wide approach is effective, although more time and support will be necessary to sustain high fidelity implementation and produce robust effects on children.