Rethinking early intervention

A model of early intervention that focuses on Proactive Empowerment through Partnerships (PEP) is described. The PEP model is embedded within a social systems perspective of child, parent, and family development and functioning. Social systems theory is used as a basis for an expanded definition of early intervention, a broader-based viewpoint of the effects of early intervention, and a set of decision rules regarding what types of intervention can strengthen families' abilities to meet family needs. Early intervention is defined as the provision of support to families of infants and young children from members of informal and formal social support networks. The manner in which the PEP principles and social systems notions are operationalized at the programmatic level is also described. Data are presented from a series of studies designed to validate the social systems perspective of early intervention as well as discern the impact of provision of support.