Established in 1971 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, intermediate units operate as regional educational service agencies providing cost-effective, management-efficient programs to Pennsylvania’s 501 public school districts and over 2,400 non-public and private schools. In addition, intermediate units serve as liaison agents between the school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Over the years, intermediate units have responded to a wide array of needs as they developed in schools and communities throughout the state. Today, intermediate units continue to fulfill their mission of service by addressing traditional and emerging needs and by serving as essential links for learning in Pennsylvania. Each intermediate unit has its own board of school directors that is composed of board member representatives from public school districts in its service area.
Intermediate units provide services for students (ages three-21) in public and non-public schools that support, enhance, and augment their educational experience, including but not limited to:
Preschool Programs
- Early Intervention – Evaluation of children (ages three to school age) to identify a need for education services
- Classroom, itinerant and services in the home customized to meet the needs of each child and his/her family
- Child care and child-care information services
- Providing education, counseling, and resources for parents to build upon and enhance the child/educator connection
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and ACCESS
- Coordinating and collaborating with local preschool, day-care, and service agents
- Head Start Programs
- Transportation
For more information on the IU’s, please visit their website at http://www.paiu.org/