Division for Early Childhood 2024 Conference

This session will provide information about one state’s efforts to enhance their understanding of families’ early intervention experiences. Participants can expect to learn about an innovative approach to collecting family outcomes information that has resulted in increased responsiveness and more diverse representation.

The University of North Carolina System legislated policy to ensure equitable evidence-based practices in early literacy are embedded in teacher preparation programs across the state. This presentation discusses how policy implementation at an urban university drives research and practice to improve reading outcomes for young children at risk for and with disabilities.

Our work is based on grounded theory. We continue to observe many examples of disrespect as the norm of behavior. We need to shift direction from disrespect to civility. Through guiding questions, discussions, and experiences of the participants, we will expand our model. The intent is to expand the civility model frame through participants’ perspectives.

Explore ways to use IDEA preschool data to tackle significant disproportionality in early childhood education. In this interactive session, presenters help participants navigate the process, with an emphasis on high-quality data and intentional analysis, including special considerations for preschool that empower educators to foster equity and excellence for all students.

This session will explore opportunities for DEC members to influence policy changes for more equitable and inclusive early childhood systems for young children with disabilities and developmental delay using the 5 Ws framework (Who, What, When, Why, How).  You already know the WHY – early childhood systems are not working for families with young children with disabilities and developmental delays. This session will provide an introduction for attendees to understand WHAT state-level policy and systems change is all about and some of the hot topics states are tackling; WHO can help you make the changes you want to see; WHEN the windows of opportunity for policy change happens in states; and HOW you can influence and strengthen early childhood policies.

This session will also include a panel of state-level advocates discussing ways to get started in advocacy, how to engage families and providers in advocacy work, and other ways they have brought the 5 Ws to life.

This session will offer a world café model for attendees to explore early childhood disability policy issues they would like to influence.  Each table will have a different early childhood policy topic for discussion -- Early Intervention access, Early Childhood Special Education and inclusion across settings, child care access for children with disabilities, and another topic(s)   Each table will start with a state spark story to get the discussion going, with opportunities for attendees to identify specific activities (guided by a worksheet ) they can take back to their home states to begin to explore policy change opportunities.

Alberta's new Inclusive Child Care program provides equitable services to build educator’s capacity and confidence to include all children. Evidence based coaching supports the implementation of The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children. GRIT will share their role and reflections in guiding this paradigm shift in Alberta.

DEC’s Policy and Advocacy Committee will provide recommendations on how policies can support a diverse workforce in early childhood at both the federal and state levels. Practical perspectives from traditionally marginalized backgrounds will be shared to amplify their voices, and advocacy strategies will be shared and aligned with DEC’s Racial Equity Point of View.