Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
An orientation developed for new Part C Coordinators to provide information about the role of the Part C coordinator and responsibilities of the Part C program. Open to new Part C Coordinators by invitation only.
The ECO Center will host a preconference workshop on current issues and challenges related to analyzing child outcomes data. This morning workshop will cover the basics of data analysis for ensuring data quality and suggested analyses related to target setting. The latest resources and strategies from states, the ECO Center and OSEP will be shared. Continental breakfast served from 7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
(PDF: 413kb) (PDF: 699kb) The ECO Center will host a preconference workshop to focus on current issues and challenges related to analyzing child and family outcomes. This afternoon workshop will involve participants conducting analyses of data and focus on more advanced data analysis. Attendees should bring a laptop with Excel. The latest resources and strategies from states, the ECO Center and OSEP will be shared.
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(PPT: 1653kb) (PDF: 1730kb) (PDF: 1315kb) The annual meeting of ICC Chairs, parents and staff will have 3 parts this year. During the breakfast hour, we will provide a brief orientation session for new ICC Chairs, parents and staff. This will be followed by an update on SICC activities and two rounds of small group discussions (How to work on a SICC; Parent leadership on an SICC; How to plan and conduct an SICC retreat; Legislative advocacy; Technology to facilitate SICC meetings; SICC/LICC resources). Following lunch (on your own), we will meet with members of the Infant-Toddler Coordinators Association to hear a national update, and discuss the respective roles of the SICC and the Lead Agency during fiscally challenging times.
(PDF: 648kb) (PDF: 648kb) This meeting is hosted by the IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA), and is open to Part C Coordinators and staff from all states and territories. Two participants from member states/territories are invited to attend as part of their membership. Additional participants may register to attend the meeting. Pre-registration through the Association is required for all participants. The meeting agenda includes: General Association Business, Reports and Products Update, Strategic Plan Review, Future Directions, and Washington Federal Update.
The Consortium of Section 619 Coordinator will begin their annual work as a group at 11:15 with a Bring Your Own Lunch and special welcoming activity. To accommodate various arrival times, just come on in with your lunch between 11:15 and 1:00 for some fun, celebrations, and meeting and greeting. The actual business portion of the meeting runs from 1:00-5:00.
(PPT: 623kb) An opportunity for 619 Coordinators to discuss topics of mutual interest. Pick up your breakfast and join your colleagues to continue the conversations begun on Sunday or begin new ones!
Welcome and Greetings from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS)
This plenary session will address the Administration’s agenda for early learning and how the needs of children with delays or special needs are met through the new Early Learning Challenge Fund grant. Information will be shared about this extraordinary moment for young children, the collaboration between the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, and the challenge made to States to build comprehensive coordinated, high-quality early childhood “Birth to Five” systems.
A continuation of the morning’s plenary with a panel of Early Childhood experts discussing in more detail the Early Learning Challenge Grants and the collaborative efforts of the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Governor’s Association and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education.
Informal demonstrations and discussion during lunch. The Virginia Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Project team members will demonstrate some new uses of technology. Concurrent session follows from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Whatever your professional development role (funding, planning, delivering, or developing professional development and related curricula), it is important to incorporate evidence-based practice (EBP). This interactive session describes an evidence-based practice approach to professional development as illustrated by the CONNECT modules. Presenters will include demonstrations, video clips, rubrics and activities to illustrate concepts.
(PDF: 154kb) (PDF: 2232kb) Families of children enrolled in early intervention experience many transitions throughout the life of that child. This session discusses some of those transitions and provides strategies to assist families in preparing, planning and successfully navigating through transitions.
Why is it rare that providers and families thoroughly examine child assessment and evaluation results? Worried about delivering "bad news" to parents? Lack of understanding about the implications of data? This presentation and discussion will highlight challenges for providers and families and strategies for improving the discussion of assessment results with families.
State representatives will highlight efforts and share materials in this interactive session offering perspective on maximizing third party insurance resources. Guidance and documents gleaned from multi-state experiences will be provided to guide audience discussion and participation.
(PDF: 133kb) (PDF: 69kb) (PDF: 100kb) (PDF: 39kb) (PDF: 23kb) (PDF: 33kb) (PDF: 21kb) (PDF: 219kb) (PDF: 129kb) (PDF: 154kb) (PDF: 106kb) (PDF: 51kb) (PDF: 411kb) (PDF: 79kb) Participants will generate state-level improvement activities in response to local non-compliance and issues with performance/results. State presenters will share strategies for the collection and analysis of root cause data. With this information and sample local data, participants will determine the unique and common aspects of the local issues and think through what the state can do to help, such as changing policy/guidance, providing training, or tweaking the data system.
(PPT: 600kb) (XLS: 43kb) (DOC: 61kb) (PPT: 1873kb) (PDF: 1206kb) (PDF: 105kb) (PDF: 184kb) Thirty-nine states report an "adopted approach" to providing early intervention services (e.g., primary service provider, trans-disciplinary team, consultative or coaching model). This session will NOT define these approaches but will instead focus on implementing and sustaining an approach to early intervention. The majority of this session will be dedicated to discussion among participants about “what it takes”, and “how to” implement an approach. Participants should bring descriptions of their approach, samples of their public awareness materials, training materials, policies, procedures and/or IFSPs.
(DOC: 33kb) (DOC: 122kb) (PDF: 440kb) (PDF: 734kb) (PDF: 255kb) (PDF: 1580kb) (PDF: 1134kb) Identification of evidence-based practices and supports for implementation are key features of effective programs for preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). National Professional Development Center on ASD staff will describe 24 evidence-based practices identified for use with learners with ASD, modules created to communicate essential procedural features of practices to service providers, and a system for introducing and supporting the implementation of practices for children with ASD in preschool programs.
The Center for Response To Intervention in Early Childhood (CRTIEC) will present the results of a national survey on the use of RTI in preschool and summarize highlights from their RTI Early Childhood Summit which was held in October 2009. There will be opportunities for participants to discuss issues, challenges and successes in implementing RTI in early childhood programs.
(PDF: 489kb) The Virginia Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Project team members will demonstrate some of their new uses of technology, including assistive technology and learning aides for children, applications for training and applications for distance service delivery. Stop by over the lunch hour for informal demonstrations and discussion. The session will include a series of demonstrations, discussion of technology uses and an opportunity for participants to select one of the demonstrated technologies to discuss in more depth.
This session provides an opportunity to learn about legal and due process decisions affecting early childhood special education. After a presentation on special education issues, attendees will have an opportunity to read actual due process hearing results, determine how they would have ruled, and participate in a group discussion of the actual rulings.
(PPT: 91kb) (PDF: 203kb) Join an informal discussion and idea exchange around a new joint position statement on Response To Intervention in early childhood that reflects a collaboration among three leading professional organizations—the Division for Early Childhood (DEC), the National Head Start Association (NHSA), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Hear about a process for identifying the key issues and defining features of an effective RTI system for children birth to 5 and offer your ideas about what needs to be included in a consensus document on this topic.
(PDF: 256kb) This plenary session will provide Federal Updates as well as an overview of information on the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for IDEA programs such as the use of funds, data collection and reporting. The session will also provide information on the work of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General (IG).
(PDF: 2914kb) This preschool-specific session follows a general session on ARRA funds and requirements. The session features federal interagency representatives who will provide agency information and updates on ARRA funds specific to preschool. Presentations will be followed by a facilitated discussion on successes and challenges in the use of ARRA funds for Part B Section 619 and sharing innovative ideas on state-level interagency collaboration with Recovery funds.
(PDF: 55kb) (PDF: 73kb) (PPT: 248kb) (PPT: 87kb) (PPT: 1566kb) This session will provide additional clarity on the use of funds from ARRA for Part C to implement system improvements and promote inter- and intra-agency collaboration. Presenters will include representatives from OSEP and state Part C programs. This is a continuation of the morning’s plenary overview on the use of ARRA funds for IDEA programs.
(PDF: 96kb) (PDF: 133kb) (PPT: 743kb) (PDF: 337kb) Parents of young children with special needs may decide to be advocates for children by embracing leadership roles and advocacy opportunities from participating in their child's IFSP or IEP to more systemic leadership such as serving on the ICC. This session provides examples of two successful leadership programs designed for parents. Presenters will include tips on how to recruit, encourage and support young families.
(PDF: 529kb) (PDF: 477kb) The session will provide information about a self-assessment instrument developed to identify use of AT practices in communities, regions, and state-wide systems. Participants will use, score and discuss the instrument to identify areas of strength or in need of improvement. The presenters will share current practices from the national and state perspectives as well as resources to support recommended practices for children/families in IFSP planning and EI service implementation at systems levels.
(PDF: 520kb) This presentation will focus on the approach that the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) uses to conduct research syntheses to identify evidence-based early literacy practices. The presenters will describe the process and components of "a practice-based translational research synthesis". This presentation will include results of research syntheses recently completed on young children in areas such as shared reading, scribbling and drawing, and early literacy environments.
(PDF: 203kb) This interactive session will highlight national autism policy activities, with a focus on the priorities and work of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), and provide an overview of state autism insurance legislation.
(PDF: 215kb) (PDF: 260kb) (PDF: 986kb) Session presenters will give participants an overview of DEC's Recommendations for Curriculum, Assessment and Program Evaluation for Young Children with Disabilities and how the paper is aligned with other recommendations for children with and without disabilities. The session will include discussion of practical implications.
(PDF: 51kb) (PDF: 312kb) (PDF: 67kb) (PPT: 1071kb) Personnel shortages, including the lack of specialized professionals, and escalating travel costs have motivated several states to try different technologies to deliver services to families in rural/remote areas. Presenters will share their distance service strategies, both “high tech” and “soft touch”. Tele-Med, webcasts, and video conferencing are featured technologies. However, collaboration and thoughtful preparation of providers and families are keys to providing quality distance services. Participants should be prepared to share their activities.
(PPT: 1670kb) (PDF: 22kb) Cross-sector planning related to building professional development (PD) systems is a focus of several new legislative initiatives (Head Start Reauthorization; Challenge Funds). To support inclusion and move from silos to collaboration, it is critical that all sectors (including Part C and 619) be at the table. This session, presented by the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion, will share tools, resources, strategies and lessons learned in cross-sector planning for PD on inclusion with eight states.
(DOC: 50kb) (PDF: 922kb) (PDF: 452kb) (PDF: 750kb) Only a handful of states address children with disabilities in their early child care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). This interactive session will provide background information on QRIS, identify and provide information on the states with QRIS systems that have standards for including children with disabilities and the benefits they have achieved as a result. States will share successes and lessons learned.
(DOC: 243kb) (PPT: 1590kb) (PPT: 178kb) This session will cover the legal responsibilities under Parts C and B when toddlers transition at age three from Part C to Part B and how States report and ensure compliance under SPP/APR Indicators C-8, B-11 and B-12. We will review applicable Part C and Part B requirements relating to confidentiality, timely transition planning, LEA notification, and transition conferences under Part C; and evaluations, eligibility determinations and IEP implementation under Part B.
(PDF: 444kb) (DOC: 125kb) This session will highlight the ongoing work of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Part C Work Group. Presenters will discuss areas of mutual interest to EHDI and Part C systems including a shared consent form. Presenters will also share a snapshot overview of the many forms of early childhood hearing loss and its wide ranging impact on development. The session will include perspectives from EHDI, Part C, and families.
(PPT: 1784kb) (PDF: 623kb) (PDF: 453kb) (PDF: 469kb) (PDF: 66kb) Presenters will share guidance materials and offer suggestions for analyzing and using family survey data to improve supports and services for Part C families. Opportunities for participants to discuss successful improvement strategies and challenges encountered will be provided.
To address severe personnel shortages many states are collaborating with institutions of higher education (IHEs) to recruit and train early intervention or preschool personnel. Presenters will describe their credentialing/licensing programs, career ladders, scholarships, loan forgiveness and other strategies/resources for building capacity. Participants will be encouraged to share examples in personnel preparation and development.
(PPT: 721kb) (DOC: 209kb) NECTAC staff will share the results of their analysis of select Part C and Section 619 SPP/APR Indicators, emphasizing progress trends, promising improvement activities, and common challenges across states. Participants will be asked to discuss implications of the analyses.
(PPT: 1163kb) This presentation will describe three model demonstration projects providing naturalistic communication intervention for young children ages B-5. Preliminary data will be shared on child and adult outcomes. Presenters will discuss the partnerships they formed and the unique challenges of working within the Part C system. Presenters will share strategies the projects used to address challenges during implementation of the model.
(PDF: 591kb) (PDF: 691kb) (PDF: 301kb) (PDF: 72kb) Are data collection, monitoring and accountability activities taking over your life? Are they yielding the results you need? Do you want these activities to be more efficient and effective? In this session we will discuss redundancies and inefficiencies that impact the performance of your general supervision system, and share state experiences with streamlining and supervision. Issues and strategies will provide the basis for materials to be developed by national TA centers for all states.
This session will focus on strategies to increase early identification and physicians’ referral to early intervention. Presenters will review evidence-based practices and models for improving early identification and referral to early intervention as identified by the Tracking, Referral, and Assessment Center for Excellence (TRACE). They will also highlight states' experiences with implementing these practices and models, as well as products developed by TRACE, to increase early identification and physicians’ referral of infants and toddlers to early intervention.
(PPT: 366kb) (PDF: 64kb) The Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) provides resources to practitioners, programs, and states to support their efforts in preventing challenging behavior and promoting social development. TACSEI faculty will describe the intervention framework used in this work with a focus on young children with autism within inclusive and natural environments.
Representatives from ASHA, APTA, NASW and AOTA will present perspectives on recruiting and retaining EI service providers. Presenters will describe their associations' work to support universities and training/TA systems to provide pre-service and in-service professional development opportunities to their constituents.
(DOC: 50kb) (DOC: 38kb) (DOC: 606kb) (PPT: 631kb) IDEA requires that federally funded parent training and information centers (PTIs) provide services to parents of children from birth through 26. This presentation focuses on 3 PTIs that work in partnership with Part C programs to help families access services, learn about their rights and responsibilities and become informed and involved members of their IFSP teams.
(PPT: 401kb) (PPT: 267kb) (PDF: 390kb) This session will showcase segments of a new webinar series produced by the Part C Identification Community of Practice on the topic of the early identification of young children eligible for Part C. Background information about the history of early identification, OSEP policy, progress in the field, and best practices will be presented. The presenters would like for session participants (especially families) to provide questions and raise issues to be addressed in the webinars.
(PDF: 3415kb) (DOC: 50kb) This session highlights new findings from a study of children at exit from early intervention and entry to preschool. Characteristics of the transition process will be presented, along with practices used to support the transition process for children and families. Interactive discussions will allow for translation of research to policy and practice.
(PDF: 410kb) (PDF: 451kb) SpecialQuest Birth-Five has developed new training materials targeting preschool inclusion. Come experience the premiere of newly developed resources consisting of four DVDs, and related training activities and materials. Participants will preview the DVDs, experience sample training activities and learn how to access these free materials on-line.
(PDF: 165kb) (PDF: 339kb) (PDF: 260kb) (PDF: 81kb) Sarah will share life lessons learned from her mother at home as a young child and in school with teachers and therapists. Lessons that helped her to realized the core of who she was and could be. She takes her audience on the travels that lead her to the awareness of the human strength, power, and impact.
ABOUT SARAH: Sarah Helena Vazquez was born and raised in Newark, NJ. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of four. Sarah’s mother raised her mindful of two major facts: the fact that rice and beans could not be missing from the dinner table due to her Puerto Rican culture, and the knowledge and awareness that she could do anything she put her mind to. Proud to have been educated within the Newark Public School system, Sarah is a graduate of Rutgers University where she earned her BA degree in Psychology and English. She works as a Support Coordinator for Neighbours Inc., an innovative non-profit organization created specifically to support people with disabilities and their families in choosing and designing a life for themselves within their local towns and neighborhoods.
Participants will debrief the Conference, with opportunities to discuss new learnings, questions and challenges. Participants may continue the discussion of future directions for early intervention. They will generate potential strategies for addressing challenges, and ideas for follow-up activities. The session is open to all interested in the Part C program for infants and toddlers and their families.
Participants will debrief the Conference, with opportunities to discuss new learnings, questions and challenges. Participants will discuss future directions for parent leadership and services for families and young children with special needs. They will generate potential strategies for addressing challenges, and ideas for follow-up activities. The session is open to all interested in parent leadership in IDEA early childhood programs.
Participants will debrief the Conference, with opportunities to discuss new learnings, questions and challenges. Participants will discuss future directions for preschool special education programs. They will generate potential strategies for addressing challenges, and ideas for follow-up activities. The session is open to all interested in the Section 619 program.
Participants will debrief the Conference, with opportunities to discuss new learnings, questions and challenges. Participants will discuss future directions for technical assistance and personnel development. They will generate potential strategies for addressing challenges, and ideas for follow-up activities. The session is open to all interested in technical assistance and professional development.
Representatives from the Pacific jurisdictions will meet with OSEP and TA providers to discuss current issues and challenges around implementation of IDEA.