January 31, 2018 Wow! How did that happen? We are one month into 2018! With the new year ahead of us, I invite each of you to revisit the DEC Ends and think about how you do or can contribute to meeting these Ends. The Ends are DEC’s bottom line, the difference DEC strives to make in the world or in other words, why our organization exists. Please celebrate DEC’s movement towards the Ends and your contributions towards those Ends. I invite you to make a personal plan toward how you can continue to support our joint work! Please feel free to contact me with your ideas! Read DEC's Ends Statements

Spotlight on Position Statements The DEC position statements are formal expressions of the Division for Early Childhood that have been developed with input and reviewed by members and approved by the Executive Board. These statements address a specific topic or issue and represent the official position of the organization. The statements can be found here: DEC Position Statements

Resource Highlight New Resources Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series No. 17 – Maltreatment and Toxic Stress In 2016, DEC published a position statement on maltreatment and young children with disabilities and their families. Monograph #17 provides leadership and guidance to the EI/ECSE field by creating a deeper understanding of maltreatment and illustrating evidence-based strategies to support these populations. Thank you to Co-editors Catherine Corr and Deserai Miller for leading this important work. Order here:  http://bookstore.dec-sped.org/17-p/17.htm The Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices – Pocket Guide This hard copy version of the DEC Recommended Practices is designed to improve accessibility and dissemination of the DEC Recommended Practices. The DEC Recommended Practices provide guidance to practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve the learning outcomes and promote the development of young children, birth through age 5, who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Order here:  http://bookstore.dec-sped.org/product-p/rppg.htm

NEWS Manuscript submissions are open Feb. 01, 2018 for the DEC Recommended Practices Monograph Series #6 – Teaming and Collaboration. Manuscripts will be due April 30, 2018. Thank you to Pam Winton, Chelsea Guillen and Alana Schnitz for serving as co-editors for this work! For the full call go here:  http://www.dec-sped.org/open-call-dec-rp-mono6 Join us at CEC for the DEC Reception on Thursday, February 8th from 4:00-6:00 PM.  Please bring your friends! This is a fantastic opportunity to network, meet the DEC Executive Board, and connect with colleagues! Also join us for the DEC Highlighted Sessions! Find out more information here:  http://www.dec-sped.org/single-post/2018/01/30/Join-Us-at-CEC-2018-for-the-DEC-Reception

DEC Conference 2018 Make plans now to attend the Division for Early Childhood’s 34th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families October 23-26, 2018 in Orlando Florida. This year’s theme is Transforming Imagination into Innovation: Impacting outcomes for Young Children, Families, and Professionals. Thank you for the tremendous response to conference proposal request. We received over 600 proposals this year! We are guaranteed to have a quality conference!  www.decconference.org

Policy & Advocacy Update DEC welcomes OSERS Assistant Secretary Johnny Collett! The U.S. Department of Education welcomed Johnny Collett, the new U.S. Department of Education assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), on Jan. 16, 2018. Read more here: http://www.dec-sped.org/single-post/2018/01/23/ED-Welcomes-OSERS-Assistant-Secretary-Johnny-Collett Thank you for the 382+ contributions to DEC’s request for IDEA Reauthorization feedback ! We celebrate your commitment to assuring your voice and the voice of the families you serve is heard! While IDEA reauthorization is not on the current congressional schedule, your assistance in crafting potential recommendations will assure DEC is prepared to provide feedback if needed!

Wishing you well!  Peggy Kemp Executive Director Division for Early Childhood

YEC Monograph Series No. 17 – Maltreatment and Toxic Stress  Order now! Purchase DEC Recommended Practices: The Pocket Guide Your personal guide to the DEC Recommended Practices! Purchase

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