THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

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THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
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• 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.
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WE ARE COMMITTED!

• To promoting parent-professional collaboration
• To advocating for policy, planning and best
  practice in prevention and intervention
• 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
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RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
DEC has identified evidenced-based practices that
work!
These practices result in positive changes in
child development and learning, family
functioning, and attitudes DECs Recommended
Practices guide practitioners, parents, and
faculty members Recommended Practices are based
on both scientific evidence and experiential
knowledge
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PUBLIC POLICY
Childrens 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

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DEC MEMBERS ARE
Early intervention specialists
Early Childhood Professionals
PARENTS
Occupational, physical, and speech therapists
AND YOU!
Researchers
Higher Education Faculty
Administrators
Health Care Professionals
Social Workers
Psychologists
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BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Quarterly journals
Publications
October 25-28, 2007!
Annual international conference
Regional training events
An extensive policy and advocacy network
Listservs
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HOW CAN I JOIN?
Request Membership Materials!
Division for Early Childhood 27 Fort Missoula
Road Suite 2 Missoula, MT 59804 dec_at_dec-sped.org
Write to
OR
Call
[phone]
DEC members are also members of the Council for
Exceptional Children!
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THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD