DEC's September E-Communicator: Focus on DEC Conference

DEC E-Communicator - 9/2016 Edition

Dear DEC Members,

This email finds us at the end of summer. We hope each of you were able to find time to refresh and relax. The end of summer means we are right around the corner from the DEC 32nd Annual Conference!

We want to extend our gratitude to our 2016 DEC Conference Co-Chairs, Lydia Moore and Patti Blasco. Lydia and Patti have been working on our behalf since we left Atlanta to bring a quality conference to Kentucky. We believe they have exceeded all expectations. Lydia and Patti wanted to send a message to each of you:

We want to take a minute to personally invite each and every one of you to attend this year’s conference in Louisville, Kentucky. With less than two months until the conference, we want to highlight the unique features that will make this experience extremely valuable to your professional development. From the outstanding pre-conference sessions through each and every day, you will not be disappointed. So plan to come early and stay through the conference!

This year, we will come together as a DEC community each day of the conference to hear provocative and insightful keynotes addressing different aspects of the DEC Recommended Practices: Knowledge, Implementation, and Evaluation. You can also expect to see a balanced program focused on research, policy, family engagement, and professional practice. Another important aspect of attending the conference is the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. While we’ve planned some formal opportunities such as the Networking Luncheon and SIG meetings, there are many informal opportunities as well. The ability to network with others who are passionate about improving outcomes for young children with special needs and their families is priceless. These are just a few of the powerful events that will be taking place this October.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Lydia Moore and Patti Blasco

2016 Chairs for the DEC Conference

Another very cool fact about the conference, 30 years ago at the Galt House, the site of this year’s conference, DEC celebrated the passage of Public Law 99-457. Join us to hear stories from those who were instrumental in the passage of the law. DEC was a critical partner in the passage of the law and in many events that followed assuring services were not only put in place but that services stayed in place for our very youngest.

Finally, please join us to celebrate the DEC members who are being recognized for making a significant difference in 2016! The Awards Breakfast will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 AM.

I hope to see each of you at the conference. For the most up to date information about all things related to the conference, visit www.decconference.org. Please take the time to say “Hello” when we see each other at the conference. I would love to meet each of you and hear your stories!

See you at Conference!

Peggy Kemp

Executive Director

Division for Early Childhood

P.S. Don’t forget to make it a regular habit to check out the DEC website. Our News section offers information that you need to know from DEC, OSEP and our partner organizations!

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