Welcome to the Conference!

Orientation to the Conference

A multimedia presentationt to the conference for first time attendees (and others, too!) is now available. Information is tailored for Part C and Section 619 Coordinators, parent representatives, and OSEP-funded projects. Click here. The presentation will begin immediately. If it does not, or you are inexperienced with viewing this format, please see our multimedia help page.

Conference Dates and Times

The 2008 OSEP National Early Childhood Conference was held on Monday, December 8 through Wednesday, December 10.

On Saturday, December 6, there were two pre-conference workshops; one in the morning: Analyzing and Using Early Childhood Outcomes Data; one in the afternoon: Using Valid and Reliable Data to identify and correct Non-Compliance. There was an afternoon meeting to provide Orientation for New Part C Coordinators.

Additional pre-conference meetings occurred on Sunday, December 7, for State ICC chairs, parents and staff; Section 619 Coordinators and Part C Coordinators and staff.

On Wednesday afternoon, December 10, there were two post-conference workshops: Early Childhood Transition and Identifying Permanent Hearing Loss in Children served by Part C and Section 619 Programs. There also was a technical assistance meeting for Pacific Basin Early Childhood Representatives.

Conference Goals

• To gain knowledge and appreciation of the current requirements under IDEA for Part C and Part B Section 619.
• To gain a better understanding of research findings and the use of successful evidence based practices related to U.S. Department of Education goals and initiatives.
• To acquire resources that will support the use of data to improve practice and accountability in the implementation of IDEA.
• To acquire strategies to build and expand relationships and collaborative partnerships with others in policy development and systems improvement at federal, state and local levels.
• To acquire strategies to inform and support family members in leadership roles to enable them to strengthen and improve service systems and outcomes for infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with special needs.
• To gain a renewed sense of confidence, energy and achievement for continued work on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs and their families

Who Should Attend?

The 2008 OSEP Conference was intended for a variety of audiences involved in planning and delivering services to young children with special needs (birth through age 8) and their families. Participants included:

• State Section 619 coordinators and staff
• State Part C coordinators and staff, including CSPD coordinators
• State ICC chairs, parents and staff
• Early Childhood Projects staff
• National/regional/state technical assistance providers
• OSEP and other federal agency staff
• Parents of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who have knowledge of IDEA and are serving in leadership positions. Examples include: parent representatives on local and state Interagency Coordinating Councils, Special Education Advisory Panels or other advisory boards and representatives form Parent Training Information Centers (PTIs), Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), and Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs).
• Partners from the early childhood community, including child care, Early Head Start, Maternal and Child Health, Social Services, etc.

Sponsorship

This conference was sponsored by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs (OSEP). It was planned collaboratively with a Conference Planning Committee representing diverse interests and perspectives and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).