World connections...

Tragedies such as the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan reminds us that we are part of a larger world. I know that we have many DEC members and colleagues in the EI, ECSE, and ECE fields who have personal and professional connections to the international communities most recently affected by war and tragedies including recent ones in New Zealand, Japan, Libya, Egypt, and many more.

While the majority of our membership are based in the US, the reach of our work goes beyond our country's borders.

As an international organization, we recognize the impact these tragic situations have on our members but most importantly on young children and families living in these communities. In your own small way, I encourage you to lend a hand and show your support for our colleagues, friends, and families most affected by these tragedies.

Special Interest Groups

DEC members can now align themselves through Special Interest Groups that are emerging and forming within DEC based on members' interests on specific topics and focus. 

SIGs are part of the restructured DEC Governance 

to provide a "home" within a home for all DEC members.

Currently, there are five SIGs that have been presented to and approved by the DEC Board:

1. Research (DEC Board Liaisons: Greg Cheatham and Megan Purcell) 
2. Professional Development (DEC Board Liaison: Kristie Pretti-Frontczac)
3. Subdivision (DEC Board Liaisons: Lisa Backer and Kristie Pretti-Frontczac)
4. Children's Action Network (DEC CAN Coordinator: Sari Gupta)
5. Early Intervention (DEC Board Liaison: Bonnie Keilty)

NOW is a  great time to be part of these groups as you can help shape and provide direction for them. 

Each SIG is provided with logistical support by the DEC Executive Office. For example, DEC staff members can help SIGs set up a listserv, dedicate a page of the DEC Website, or arrange a meeting space at the DEC annual conference.



 A member of the DEC Board also serves as a liaison for each of the SIGs to allow for direct communication between SIGs and the DEC Board. The liaison's main job is to bring back to the DEC Board issues, concerns, and recommendations from each of the SIGs. The DEC Board liaisons are not expected to lead the SIGs. It is hoped that SIG leaders would emerge from members. I included above the names of the liaisons for each of the existing SIGs. Feel free to contact them to find out more about each of the SIGs

Other than the liaisons from the DEC Board and the Executive Office, no other organizational structure is required for the SIGs. Thus each SIG can develop and form based on their members' needs. For example, a SIG can elect a chair to facilitate activities as they deem necessary, or maybe not.

I hear that a Student SIG is being planned -- this is really exciting! If you are interested in forming a SIG, it's really easy. You just need to contact one of the DEC Board members or the DEC Executive Staff to complete a Request for Board Action (RBA), which will then be submitted to the DEC Board for discussion and approval.

Find your home within our DEC home today...

Form a SIG

Join a SIG!

President’s Budget Includes $50 Million Increase for Part C!

DEC Update

February 14, 2011

President’s Budget Includes $50 Million Increase for Part C!

The President’s Budget was just released this morning and includes a $50 million increase for Part C for FFY 2012!  This is wonderful news for young children with disabilities and their families. Unfortunately, the budget includes a freeze for the 619 Preschool Program. A $200 million increase for Part B, 611 grants is also included. Part D programs were generally held to a freeze except for a Technology cut for ear-marked programs.

This is the first step in the 2012 process. The Congress and President must agree to a final figure before October 1, 2011 when the FFY 2012 year begins.  These FFY 2012 funds will determine the amount states will receive for IDEA grants on July 1, 2012.  

Additional information on the President’s FFY 2012 Budget will be provided later today.

For additional information contact Sharon Walsh, DEC Consultant at walshtaylo@aol.com

In with the new...

Results of the DEC 2011 elections are out!!

Congratulations to our newly elected DEC Board Members:

Carol Trivette (NC), Vice President (2011-2015)

 Mark Smith (NE), Treasurer (2011-2014)

Hannah Schertz (IN), Member-at-Large (2011-2014)

Carol, Mark, and Hannah bring extensive experience, energy, and enthusiasm to the DEC Board. DEC is indeed very lucky to have the level of commitment from its members. DEC members' sustained involvement in the organization ensures that we continue to thrive and be a strong voice for the professionals and families in early childhood special education and early intervention.

Carol, Mark, and Hannah will begin their term on the DEC Board on July 1, 2011.

Carol, Mark and Hannah -- thank you for stepping up and congratulations on your election! I look forward to working with you on the DEC Board.

Meeting with colleagues at NABE

I am looking forward to traveling to beautiful New Orleans next week to present at the upcoming National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) annual conference. This would mark my third time to present a this annual conference to colleagues who have a strong interest in bilingual education, early childhood, and special education.

A View of the Famous French Quarters - photo credit

This unique opportunity is made possible through a partnership among several key national organizations pulled together by the Center on the Social for Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL).

This year at NABE, I get to wear my two favorite hats as I plan to share with NABE attendees about our ongoing work on CSEFEL and relating it to DEC's Position Statement on Responsiveness to all children, families and professionals: Integrating Cultural and Linguistic Diversity into Policy and Practice.

NABE's Special Education Special Interest Group is chaired by Dr. Amy Mazur and Ms. Patricia Rice Doran who have worked tirelessly to bring forth issues of children with disabilities who are also bilingual.

Dr. Amy Mazur of George Washington University

But before I get too excited for a bowl of jambalaya, I have to remind myself it's February and I live in the Midwest. That means I keep my eye out for "typical" weather issues that seem to prop up every time I'm on travel. 

More later!!

If you haven't heard yet, the first DEC/CEC collaborative webinar was a phenomenal success! 

Thank you Kristie and Mary Ruth for a job well done!!

CEC/DEC Webinar on RTI...

As one of its seventeen divisions, DEC works collaboratively with CEC on many projects and activities throughout the year. To kick off 2011, DEC is excited to co-host with CEC a Webinar on... 

"Differentiating Curriculum and Instruction in PreK and K Programs"

Register Now!

The webinar will focus on curriculum differentiation for preschoolers and Kindergarteners to achieve quality Tier One instruction. Differentiation is conceptualized as creating multiple and varied learning opportunities within the same activity or routine. Strategies to help providers expect and allow children to participate and engage with materials in varied and different ways will be discussed. Overall, a curriculum framework approach with multiple tiers is highlighted, representing the underlying foundation of all practices from which supports and services are differentiated to meet the differing needs of children.

The webinar will provide a range of content and is geared toward professionals in several areas: those who provide direct services to young children (e.g., teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals); administrators of PreK and K programs; and teacher educators and preservice teachers interested in working with young children with diverse abilities.


Presenters are...

 

DEC President-Elect, Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, Kent State University 

CEC Past President Mary Ruth Coleman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 

4:00-5:30 p.m. ET*

 *NOTE: This webinar is scheduled to last for one and a half hours.

Each registration is for a site, so get a group together to participate. 

Member Registration $89 (per site)
Non-Member Registration $114 (per site)

Everyone who registers receives a copy of the Webinar (audio and video) to download on their own computers and replay at any time

 

Closed captioning available.

Register Now!

Lucky Tessa!

Last week, we officially said goodbye to Bethany Morris, our DEC Director for Member Services. After about 7-1/2 years with DEC, Bethany has decided to stay home and be a full time mom to baby Tessa.

Bethany and Tessa ready for some outdoor fun!

Bethany joined the DEC Executive Office staff  in May of 2003, about one year after Sarah Mulligan was hired as Executive Director. Bethany has been instrumental in helping DEC grow and be the quality organization that it is today. Bethany's main role was to support DEC members through the subdivisions as well as work with CEC to get new members.

Over the years, Bethany has been a reliable fixture at the DEC conferences and the NTI conferences -- you can often find her at the registration area, armed with a bright smile and always ready with a helping hand for conference attendees.

Bethany shares, "I'm going to miss the variety and challenge that my work at DEC provided me.  My tasks at DEC were ever-changing and through DEC and under Sarah's guidance, I have had a lot of opportunities to problem-solve and learn new skills. 

After DEC, I am most looking forward to variety and challenge of a different sort! :)  Staying home with Tessa will be a huge 'miind shift' for me, but my daughter has already taught me a lot about patience and how to go-with-the-flow. I am looking forward to developing THOSE skills even more!"

After this week, Bethany will continue to assist DEC on some of our activities, if only for a limited basis. DEC is lucky to have Bethany continue to be part of its family.

Bethany for sure, would most likely say she's lucky to have Tessa. In the end, Tessa is THE lucky one to have Bethany for her mommy.

With a face like this how can one resist??

Thank you Bethany for all that you have done for DEC!! 

You will be missed! 

You will always be part of the DEC family!