Team Member Perceptions of the Primary Service Provider Approach: Insights on Implementation and Collaboration

We examined the implementation of the Primary Service Provider (PSP) approach to teaming in early intervention (EI) settings in the United States, with additional participants from one region of Australia. The PSP approach emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration, caregiver coaching in natural environments, and family-centered service delivery. A total of 351 EI professionals completed a survey investigating perceptions of PSP implementation, including how professional discipline and time on a team influence these perspectives. Findings indicate generally positive perceptions of the PSP approach’s effectiveness, with statistically significant differences across disciplines and years of experience. We identified broad provider endorsement of the PSP approach across these contexts and relational and structural elements critical to implementation, whcih offer practical insights for enhancing transdisciplinary collaboration and sustaining high-quality PSP practices in EI programs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
Published
2026-04-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214261443655
Primary Topic
Family and Disability Support Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Team Member Perceptions of the Primary Service Provider Approach: Insights on Implementation and Collaboration

Laura S. McCorkle, Joshua Smith, M’Lisa L. Shelden, Sheena D. Jennings
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
Family and Disability Support Research
article

Team Member Perceptions of the Primary Service Provider Approach: Insights on Implementation and Collaboration

Laura S. McCorkle, Joshua Smith, M’Lisa L. Shelden, Sheena D. Jennings
article en

Abstract

We examined the implementation of the Primary Service Provider (PSP) approach to teaming in early intervention (EI) settings in the United States, with additional participants from one region of Australia. The PSP approach emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration, caregiver coaching in natural environments, and family-centered service delivery. A total of 351 EI professionals completed a survey investigating perceptions of PSP implementation, including how professional discipline and time on a team influence these perspectives. Findings indicate generally positive perceptions of the PSP approach’s effectiveness, with statistically significant differences across disciplines and years of experience. We identified broad provider endorsement of the PSP approach across these contexts and relational and structural elements critical to implementation, whcih offer practical insights for enhancing transdisciplinary collaboration and sustaining high-quality PSP practices in EI programs.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (US), Wichita State University (US)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Family and Disability Support Research
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