Another reason I'm thankful for DEC

If nothing else - during my tenure as president - I want to share all the amazing things DEC does for its members and the field as a whole. I may have mentioned in earlier posts or to those I meet around the country that an interesting question is....

If DEC were to cease to exist tomorrow, why would we bring it back?

To be honest, I'm not sure a year ago or even 6 months ago I would have had the passionate response I have today. I'm amazed and thankful each and every day regarding the work being done by a whole host of staff and volunteers on behalf of young children and their families.


As further evidence - To help special educators and early interventionists in their monumental task of implementing the updated regulations, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), its Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the IDEA Infant Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) have released a side-by-side comparison of the 2011 final Part C regulations, published on Sept. 28, to Part C regulations from 1999.

Once again - DEC and its partners are guiding implementation and interpretation of policy efforts at the national, state, and local level...just wait until you review this 267 page document!

Want to join our adovocacy efforts? Join us for a Day on the Hill. The day includes tips from Sharon Walsh (DEC's Governmental Relations Consultant) and CEC Policy and Advocacy staff, briefings from Capitol Hill staff, and an opportunity to visit with Senators and Representatives from your state. When you register, you will receive information about setting up appointments. A required webinar in early November will help you be prepared for this amazing policy experience. No experience is necessary. If you are a skilled advocate, DEC Capitol Hill Day is the perfect time to support our early childhood agenda and make sure our voice is heard. If you have never visited Capitol Hill but have a passion for working with young children and their families, this is your chance to make a difference.

As always....more to follow, and of course you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

What a day in Washington DC

I'm always thinking about blogging and actually have a few good things to blog about; however, finding the time is always hard. But - as I sit in a Startbucks in Washington DC (feeling like Carrie from Sex in the City as I construct my blog entry :)....

....I've finally found a minute to reflect on my past few months as president of DEC.

That said, I only have a few clicks left on my laptop battery and just can't type fast or well enough on my ipad or iphone so I'll keep my reflections brief.

My biggest reflection or ah ha...is that we have an amazing organization. I never realized all that goes on (daily) on behalf of young children with disabilities, their families, and those who serve them.


The staff and board members, not to mention all of the volunteers who participate on the LACs each year, members who keep our SIGs up and going [check out our EI SIG], our amazing subdivisions, and all those who share their knowledge through various PD efforts, etc.....work non stop each and every day (and many times at night) to further our collective mission.

I hope each of you will take a minute to appreciate your membership with DEC and encourage others to be part of these very exciting times~

My other reflection is that now is such an great time to be President of DEC. Today I get to be involved in two amazing opportunities. First, I was honored to visit OSEP with Sharon Walsh (DEC's governmental consultant) and Sarah Mulligan (DEC's Executive Director).


We visited with Ruth Ryder, Gregg Corr, and Larry Wexler...where we had an opportunity to share the important work of DEC and find ways to continue the strong partnership we have with OSEP.

Later today I'll be co-presenting with members of NAEYC at the National Head Start Leadership meeting here in DC. I'll have the opportunity to promote the joint position paper on inclusion and hopefully share a few strategies to increase access, participation, and progress of all young children.
Great fun and meaningful work...who could ask for more?

to be continued....
KPF
DEC President 2011-2012