THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

DEC is a division of The Council For Exceptional Children (CEC)

DEC supports those who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, age 0-8 and their families

We are dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of children.

WE ARE COMMITTED!

1. To promoting parent-professional collaboration

2. To advocating for policy, planning and best practice in prevention and intervention

3. To supporting those who work with or on behalf of infants and young children with special needs and their families by promoting:

Collaboration and communication among organizations, practitioners

and family members

Innovations in research and the development of new knowledge

Dissemination and use of information about research, resources, best practices, and current issues

Professional development through an array of activities and strategies

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

These practices result in positive changes in child development and learning, family functioning, and attitudes

DEC’s Recommended Practices guide practitioners, parents, and faculty members

Recommended Practices are based on both scientific evidence and experiential knowledge

DEC has identified evidenced-based practices that work!

PUBLIC POLICY

Children’s Action Network (CAN)

A communication network that develops and maintains a system for communicating and sharing information with DEC members

Effects governmental changes at the local, state, provincial, and federal levels

IDEA Partnerships

Deliver a common message about the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Inform professionals, families, and the public about IDEA and strategies to improve educational results for children and youth with disabilities

Early intervention specialists

PARENTS

Early Childhood Professionals

Researchers

Administrators

Higher Education Faculty

Health Care

Professionals

Occupational, physical, and speech Occupational, physical, and speech therapiststherapists

Social WorkersPsychologistsPsychologists

DEC MEMBERS ARE:

AND YOU!

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Quarterly journals

Annual international conference

An extensive policy and advocacy network

Listservs

Publications

October 25-28, 2007!

Regional training events

HOW CAN I JOIN?

DEC members are also members of the Council for Exceptional Children!

Division for Early Childhood 27 Fort Missoula RoadSuite 2Missoula, MT 59804dec@dec-sped.org

Request Membership Materials!

Write to:

Call: (406) 543-0872

OR

THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD