Everything you need to know about the Division for Early Childhood
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
Greetings from your DEC Executive Board! Exciting changes are happening within DEC starting with the new, improved format of our e-communicators. These e-communicators are a critical tool that we use to both disseminate and gather information for our members. Also, we know that you are reading them because you are clicking on our links! Thank you for staying up to date and responding to our requests for information. There are several important events that I want to share and bring to your attention.
First, we set a record again!! We surpassed last year's record for number of conference proposals! Our strand reviewers are currently reviewing (a record number of) proposals and identifying an excellent slate of sessions and posters for our 2016 conference program!
Second ,  the DEC Executive Director search is closed, and the search committee is currently reviewing applications. We have multiple outstanding applicants and we are on track to conduct interviews in April at the CEC Convention in St. Louis.

Third, our current Executive Director, Leah Weiner is on maternity leave. However, our Executive Office is in excellent hands with Ben Rogers. We recently promoted Ben to Associate Executive Director. Ben has taken on this new role and the associated tasks with enthusiasm and diligence. He is a tremendous asset to our organization and I am thrilled to be working closely with him.
Fourth, the YEC Editor search committee is still seeking applicants, so if you are interested please apply! We also are seeking nominations for Executive Board member positions. Please consider applying!
 




Fifth ,  the Executive Board has spent the greater part of this year strengthening our ownership linkages. This means we have created several new Board Liaison roles to strengthen the relationships between the Executive Board, the Executive Office, and our various member volunteer groups. For example, Rashida Banerjee is the board liaison to our SIGs, Angel Fettig and Mark Smith are the board liaisons to our Policy Council, David Lineman is the board liaison to our Subdivisions, and Eva Horn is the board liaison to the Personnel Preparation Council. This will strengthen the communication between the board and our members, enhance the quality of the support we can provide, and accelerate the goals of each group. 




Sixth ,  the Executive Board recently created a new committee: Publications and Products Advisory Committee. The purpose of this committee is to ensure all publications, products, and related groups (e.g., JEI and YEC editors and boards, monographs editors, Recommended Practices commission, learning deck/webinar developers, institute developers, etc.) are working in unison toward the mission of DEC. This committee will provide guidance and oversight to ensure DEC products are generated in response to the needs of the field and support the DEC mission. Kathleen Artman Meeker is the chair of this committee and has put together a "dream team" of members representing all relevant publications, products, and groups. They have already started meeting and have a list of exciting tasks on their agenda. 
In sum, I am proud of the work of the current Executive Board and am looking forward to continuing this exciting trajectory of growth and commitment to our mission.
Sincerely,
Erin E. Barton
DEC Executive Board President 
 
IT'S AN 
ELECTION 
YEAR!
 
What better time to get active in DEC's Policy and Advocacy council?
Wondering what issues are important to the Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention community during this election cycle? The DEC Policy and Advocacy Council has got you covered. JOIN US to get involved now!
LET'S BE  FRIENDS!
DEC's new donor program, is an opportunity for individuals to connect with and support the Division for Early Childhood. For a $40 donation to DEC, donors will receive the following thank you gifts: 

ACCESS

DISCOUNTS

To the DEC listserv and the e-communicator

 

To four (4) free articles from the Young Exceptional Children Journal

10% off at the DEC Bookstore and $5 off Learning Decks

 

$10 discount on DEC Conference registration
J ournal  of  E arly  I ntervention
We work hard to provide our members with the best and most dynamic resources around. We're instituting  free-to-access  podcasts of JEI authors discussing their work, starting with the special RtI issue - podcasts are available on the  JEI website .  

We're also piloting a free "Research to Practice" resource that will soon be available on the JEI website. This special resource will consist of a short review of a recently-published paper and focuses on extended implications for practitioners.
JOIN US! -  DEC Institute on Family Engagement
On March 16, the Division for Early Childhood will bring together a passionate group of dedicated individuals who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families. Attendees will gather from all over Massachusetts and its surrounding regions to unite with other participants who are invested in supporting and facilitating family engagement in early intervention and early childhood special education.

Date: Tuesday,  March 15 , 2016
DEC COMMUNITY BOARD
 
The next Subdivision Leaders meeting is March 22nd at 4:00 pm Eastern Time.  THE FOCUS:  A  discussion with Ashley Lyons, DEC's Policy Council Chair and CAN Coordinator on advocacy. Come with questions and talking points for your state!


We're working hard to support a focus on equity & social justice for young children with disabilities & their families. Our members are currently involved in the DEC conference committee &  in many other areas in DEC. Please JOIN US &  learn more!

We'll be in St. Louis in April for the Annual CEC Convention and we want to see you there! DEC will be hosting a reception for members to commune, engage with the Executive Board, and enjoy a nice refreshment on us!  RSVP if you plan to join us at the reception on Thursday afternoon, April 14. 
The 2016 DEC Conference is off to the races! This year's conference theme,
A Winning Trifecta: Knowledge, Implementation, and Evaluation of DEC Recommended Practices, features leading experts from around the world in early intervention, early childhood special education, and related disciplines. Our conference program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of those who work with or on behalf of young children with special needs and their families. We hope that you'll join us in Louisville, Kentucky for the 32nd Annual DEC Conference taking place October 18 - 20, 2016.