Spreading the Good Word Input from Multiple Stakeholders

Spreading the Good Word -- Input from Multiple Stakeholders on Increasing High Quality Preschool Inclusion Opportunities OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 1

Inclusive Early Care and Education Policy Forum Sponsored by the Childcare Bureau and Administration on Developmental Disabilities May 15 -16, 2004 Jennifer Johnson, Ed. D. Administration on Developmental Disabilities Administration for Children and Families U. S. Department of Health and Human Services jjohnson 1@acf. hhs. gov OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 2

Administration for Children and Families Overview: Primary agency responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities Programs aim to achieve the following: n n Families and individuals empowered to increase their own economic independence and productivity; Strong, healthy, supportive children communities that have a positive impact on the quality of life and the development of; Partnerships with individuals, front-line service providers, communities, American Indian tribes, Native communities, states, and Congress that enable solutions which transcend traditional agency boundaries; and Services planned, reformed, and integrated to improve needed access. OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 3

ACF also has a strong commitment to: n Working with people with developmental disabilities, refugees, and migrants to address their needs, strengths, and abilities and n Collaborating across agencies to achieve program outcomes OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 4

Organizational Structure of ACF Administration for Children and Families Administration Developmental Disabilities Child Care Bureau OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 Head Start Bureau 5

Overview of the Inclusive Early Care and Education Policy Forum in March 2004 n Development of the Policy Forum n Issues relevant to respective agencies OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 6

Overview of the Inclusive Early Care and Education Policy Forum in March 2004 n Goals of the Forum: Ø To explore and address the inclusion of children with disabilities in early care and education settings Ø To discuss supporting the needs of all families in accessing and comfortably relying on early care and education. n Key issues discussed: Ø Increasing access to and retention in early care and education settings; Ø Creating early childhood environments that foster full participation for all children; Ø Creating effective training and technical assistance systems; Ø Leveraging funding sources; and Ø Increasing collaboration across programs and services. OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 7

Participants n Parents n Researchers n State 619 coordinators n Part C coordinators n State Child Care Administrators n Representatives of ADD Programs – DD State Councils and UCEDDs n Representatives from national organizations – e. g. , DEC, Easter Seals, Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies n Representatives of federal agencies/bureaus – e. g. , OSEP, Head Start Bureau OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 8

Agenda n Opening remarks and participant introductions n Opening Plenary n State Administrator’s panel n Research presentations n Small group topical discussions Policies and strategies that support training and technical assistance, and Ø Policies and strategies that support funding for inclusion. Ø n Large group discussion of next steps OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 9

State Administrators Panel n Nancy Guy – State Child Care Administrator, North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Child Development n Rosanne Griff-Cabelli – Part C Coordinator, Division of Management Services, Delaware Division of Health and Social Services n Russell Hoyt – Section 619 Coordinator, Early Learning Services, Massachusetts Department of Education OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 10

Research Presentations n Robin Mc. William (Vanderbilt University) – facilitating inclusion in the classroom n Mary Louise Hemmeter (University of Illinois) – positive behavioral supports n Mary Beth Bruder (University of Connecticut) – historical perspective of inclusion OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 11

Suggestions for Next Steps Primary reaction centered on implementation – how to create inclusive systems at the State and local level. From there, three main categories emerged: n Comprehensive, cross-system approaches to early childhood inclusion n Workforce development: early care and education as a profession, and n Accountability for inclusion initiatives OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 12

High Quality Inclusion Opportunities for Preschool-Age Children with Disabilities Policy Forum December 13 -15, 2004 Joy Markowitz Director, Project Forum National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) forum@nasdse. org OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 13

Project Forum Overview n Cooperative Agreement with OSEP Funded through September 30, 2005 Purposes: n n To facilitate communication between the U. S. Department of Education and state and local administrators of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and n To synthesize national program information that will improve the management, administration, delivery, and effectiveness of programs and services provided under IDEA. OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 14

Each year Project Forum does the following: 1. Collaborates with the Regional Resource Centers to maintain the National State Policy Database. 2. Compiles three research or policy syntheses. 3. Writes two synthesis briefs (less than 10 pages). 4. Convenes two policy forums and writes proceedings. 5. Conducts twelve Quick-Turn-Around (QTA) activities. 6. Disseminates documents described above. OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 15

Purpose of the Policy Forum in December 2004 n Continue dialogue among stakeholders about increasing high quality inclusion opportunities for preschool-age children with disabilities n Generate options for resources and strategies that will promote high quality inclusion opportunities OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 16

Objectives of Policy Forum n Create and strengthen linkages among federal, state and local policymakers, national organizations, researchers and practitioners n Review available research on practices and policies that facilitate inclusion opportunities n Raise awareness among stakeholders about activities at national, state and local levels that promote inclusion opportunities n Describe policy, practice and research barriers to inclusion opportunities n Generate suggestions for next steps at national, state and local levels to promote inclusion opportunities OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 17

Participants n Local preschool providers n Parents n Researchers n State 619 coordinators n Technical assistance providers n Representatives from national organizations – e. g. , DEC, NAEYC, NAECS, Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies n Representatives of federal agencies/bureaus – e. g. , OSEP, OESE, Child Care Bureau, Head Start Bureau, ACF OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 18

Agenda 1. Opening remarks and participant introductions 2. Research panel 3. Overview of Child Care Bureau and Administration on Developmental Disabilities Forum on Inclusion held March 2004 4. Panels from Wyoming and Kentucky 5. Large group reaction to panels 6. Small group discussion of next steps OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 19

Research Panel n Joan Lieber (University of Maryland) – Inclusion Research & Results from ECRII n Virginia Buysee (University of North Carolina) – Cost, Quality and Outcomes of Preschool Inclusion n Susan Sandall (University of Washington) – Building Blocks for Including and Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs n Robin Mc. Willilam (Vanderbilt University) – Child Level Findings and Engagement OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 20

Suggestions for Next Steps Categories n Awareness/public relations n Data collection/analysis n Financing strategies n Monitoring/accountability n Policy n Professional development n Research n Technical assistance and dissemination OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 21

Communities of Practice – An OSEP TA Initiative and Opportunity for Collaboration Shelly de. Fosset Associate Director Partner & Family Collaboration Unit National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) Shelley_de. Fosset@unc. edu OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 22

Preschool LRE Community The goal is to form and support a Community where interested individuals can come together to address issues of common interest and need regarding the inclusion of young children and their families in their communities. Part C Settings Community This community is interacting around the many issues, concerns, successes, examples of practice, research, training and materials all related to enhancing services in natural environments for young children and their families. OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 23

Future Activities n Ongoing resource sharing n Practice Groups around issues of identified concerns n National Inclusion Institute August 2005 OSEP National Early Childhood Conference - February 2005 24