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Collaborative Financing to

Promote Preschool Inclusion

Creating Connections to Shining Stars

Virginia Beach, 2013Shelley deFossetKaty McCullough

Andrea Riegel

Act Locally,

Think Inclusively

Act Locally, Think Inclusively

Act Locally, Think Inclusively:

Preview of Who’s in the Room

Objectives for our conversation…

Share a local example of the facilitators and barriers to inclusion in VirginiaExplore considerations for local collaboration to promote inclusionDiscuss collaborative finance strategies to serve children in inclusive settingsShare resources & supports

Assumptions

We value inclusionWe know there are benefits of inclusion to all childrenWe want to increase/expand opportunities We have to collaborate with others (cross-sector initiatives & families) because we can’t get there by ourselvesWe must adhere to regulatory requirements

DEC/NAEYC Joint Definition of Early Childhood Inclusion

Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development and learning to reach their full potential.

Where We Are In VA on InclusionCategory Number Percent

Children in programs with typically developing, same age peers

Receiving a majority of their services in the setting with typically developing peers

5581 33.46

Receiving services elsewhere 5111 30.65

Children is separate class, building, residential program

4474 26.83

Children receiving services at home

441 2.64

Children receiving services at a service provider location

1070 6.42

Total population of children 3 to 6 with IEPs

16,677 100

VA SPP, Baseline for Indicator B6 FFY 2011,submitted February 2013

One Community’s Story….Augusta County

Talking in Pairs

What about the Augusta story

resonated with you?

Four Considerations for Local Collaboration

• Inclusion Opportunities• Motivation and Action• Sharing Resources• Infrastructure

Start anywhere, follow it everywhere.-Myron Rogers

Act Locally, Think Inclusively

Considerations for Local Collaboration

1. How and where are children included/served? o settings, service delivery models, curriculum/assessment

2. What is the initial motivation & action?o identify community partners, common vision

3. How are resources shared?o personnel, settings, equipment, professional development

4. What infrastructures are in place?o funding streams, regulatory requirements & data sharing

Resources

• DEC/NAEYC Joint Position Statementhttp://www.fpg.unc.edu/resources/early-childhood-inclusion-joint-position-statement-division-early-childhood-dec-and-nation

• Research Synthesis Points on Early Childhood Inclusion (2009)http://www.fpg.unc.edu/resources/research-synthesis-points-early-childhood-inclusion

VA Resources & Supports

• VA Early Childhood Foundation– Local Smart Beginnings– Solving the Preschool Puzzle (under revision)

• T/TACs-IPOP

• SpecialQuest– Inclusion Checklists

Talking in Small Groups

• Do you see opportunities for how you could make this happen in your community?

• How would you get started?– Who is on your core support team?

• Who are the community partners who serve and support young children and their families in your community?

Share back

Share one example for of how you could get this started in your

community.

Reflection

What’s the first step you plan to take

when you get back home to make inclusion happen

in your program?

Share Your Step Forward

What is ‘1’ step that you can take?

Continuous Improvement

Shelley deFosset defosset@icloud.comKaty McCullough katy.mccullough@unc.edu Andrea Riegel ariegel@augusta.k12.va.us

1. What worked well for you in this session?

2. What suggestions do you have to improve the process?