Creating Inclusive Settings and Opportunities — Arizona Early Childhood Inclusion Coalition

By: Valarie Andrews, Program Administrator, Early Childhood Special Education/619 Coordinator with the Arizona Department of Education

During the summer of 2006, Arizona’s Early childhood programs were chosen by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) to develop a state team/systems focus for the inclusion of preschool children with special needs into least restrictive environment settings.  This opportunity opened the doors for forming the Arizona Early Childhood Inclusion Coalition (ECIC). The coalition has become the driving force in the collaboration needed in the early childhood communities across the State which will be able to make a difference in opportunities for young children to participate in regular education programs and inclusive environments.   

The national early childhood initiative, Expanding Opportunities, is a cross agency initiative to promote inclusive options for young children with disabilities.  In response to recommendations generated at forums, the U.S.  Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) invited cross agency teams from 4 states to participating in a strategic planning initiative.  At the federal level, the Child Care Bureau, Head Start Bureau and Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) in collaboration with Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) sponsored state level representatives to establish Chapel Hill, NC with the goal  to improve the number of preschool students who receive services in inclusive environments.

The AZ team initially worked with a group of stakeholders that were considered funding sources such as the Child Care Bureau, Arizona Early Intervention Program, Department of Education, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Head Start Bureau along with Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center and the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Representatives to other agencies and programs that work with administrators, teachers and young children and their families have been recruited to a state-wide planning group.

Together, the team participating in the Expanding Opportunities summer activities was able to articulate a clear vision, mission and a plan for their work in Arizona.
 
VISION

Arizona is committed to including all children and their families in early learning environments by providing family-centered supports and services that are high quality, comprehensive, and collaborative.

MISSION

The purpose of the Arizona Early Childhood Inclusion Coalition is to increase the participation of young children with disabilities and special health care needs in their community and in quality early childhood programs, services, and settings..  This is accomplished through collaborative partnerships, increased public awareness, advocacy, supportive policies and coordination of technical assistance and training.

Action Plan

1. Support efforts of or integrate with School Readiness Board
2. Develop specific change initiatives
3. Expand efforts by influencing other preschool or related initiatives
4. Develop social marketing strategy to further vision
   

Valerie Andrews leads the efforts of the group. An enthusiastic response from the representatives of the coalition has assisted the State to meet the goals of the national initiative. The collaboration across agencies and the shared vision for all young children to be served together in the State’s early childhood programs will make this effort a reality.