INTEGRATING DEVELOPMENTALLY SUPPORTIVE CAREGIVING INTO PRACTICE THROUGH EDUCATION

Implementation of developmental caregiving is occurring in intensive c are nurseries across the country. Sound theories of adult learning, pr ogram planning, and change principles must be utilized to guide this p rocess and to provide a framework for program design. If leaders and c hange agents are aware of these concepts and use them to make the proc ess easier, integration should be less painful and the concepts prompt ly instituted into routine practices. Neonatal Individualized Developm ental Care and Assessment Program research has demonstrated positive o utcomes. This research has provided us with a vision to guide our prac tice, but change theory and education of staff also need to be address ed in this process.