The Early Intervention Providers Association of Pennsylvania (EIPA) is here to be your voice.
Our Mission
The Early Intervention Providers Association of Pennsylvania supports the provider workforce and Pennsylvania families by advocating on their behalf, collaborating with early childhood stakeholders, and promoting evidence-based best practices.
Meet the Team
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Christi Gleason
PRESIDENT
Christi serves as President of EIPA, with roles including Secretary of the EC and Co-Chair of the Southeast Region. A Penn State alumna with degrees in Psychology and Special Education, she has been pivotal at the Cerebral Palsy Assn of Chester County since 2005. As Director of Children’s Services, Christi leads a comprehensive 0-3 early intervention program across Chester and Lancaster Counties. She manages an adaptive technology lending library, aiding families with walkers, gait trainers, adaptive seating, and sensory tools. Christi also supports families directly as a Special Instructor in Early Intervention.
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Anne Lang
VICE PRESIDENT
Anne Lang is the Vice President of the Early Intervention Providers Association (EIPA) and Co-Chair for the Western Region. With over 20 years of Early Intervention experience, she is currently the Executive Director of Early Intervention Specialists, Inc. (EIS), where she leads strategic growth and fosters a culture of excellence and innovation.
Anne holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh and has been a dedicated advocate for early intervention services across Pennsylvania.
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Annie Smith
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Annie is Immediate Past President of the Early Intervention Provider Association, with 15+ years of dedication to Pennsylvania's Central Region. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at University of Indianapolis and has extensive experience in pediatric outpatient care. Currently Director of Early Intervention at Strawberry Fields, Inc. in State College, Annie oversees services for infants and toddlers in Centre County. Committed to staff development, she enhances service quality across residential, case management, and social enterprise programs, including Good Day Café.
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Jocelyn Debick
TREASURER
Jocelyn serves as Treasurer for the Early Intervention Provider Association, having previously held roles such as Co-Chair. Currently, she directs the First Steps Early Intervention program, bringing extensive administrative experience to her oversight of diverse early childhood programs. Jocelyn leads initiatives across Head Start/Early Head Start, PA Pre-K Counts, and more, emphasizing curriculum, assessment, and inclusive practices. As Chair of the Westmoreland County Local Interagency Coordinating Council, she fosters collaboration in early childhood services. Jocelyn's leadership extends to business development, integrating services with Amazing Kids to enhance agency offerings.
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Sharon Richards
SECRETARY
Sharon currently serves as Secretary of the Early Intervention Providers Association (EIPA) Executive Committee and Co-Chair for the Western Region. With over 30 years of experience, she is the Vice President of Early Intervention at Achieva.Sharon is a certified Special Education teacher with degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in developmental disabilities in young children. Her career includes roles in teaching, developmental therapy, behavioral support, and leadership across both educational and clinical settings.
Our Story
The Early Intervention Providers Association of Pennsylvania (EIPA) was founded in 1986 to provide a forum for the early intervention workforce to collaborate, share challenges and success and advocate for high quality services for children and families. Our membership is open to early intervention providers for children ages birth through five years in Pennsylvania.
Membership is divided into four regions: Northeast, Southeast, Central, and West. Regional co-chairs represent members on EIPA’s Executive Committee along with the Officers of EIPA. EIPA was established as a 501c6 non-profit organization. Financial information is available upon request.
Fostering a Collaborative
& Informed Community
The purpose of EIPA is clear: to bolster and fortify the community of providers committed to early childhood development. We're here to empower you with the tools, training, and advocacy necessary for achieving optimal outcomes for the families we support. Through building a collaborative and well-informed community, we strive to ignite a passion in others to join us in this essential mission, ensuring every child in Pennsylvania thrives.