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Improving Systems, Practices, and Outcomes

Recruiting New aRPy Ambassadors!

aRPy Ambassadors

Illustration: aRPY faces scattered on a map of the United States

Applications due March 14, 2025

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) in partnership with the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children and Parent to Parent of Georgia/the Region B PTAC are recruiting a new 2025 cohort of twelve Ambassadors from across the country and territories to promote the awareness and use of the DEC Recommended Practices.

If you would like to apply or nominate someone, please use this link to the application request.

What is an aRPy Ambassador?

The ECTA Center established aRPy Ambassadors to disseminate information about and promote the use of the DEC Recommended Practices (RPs). aRPy Ambassadors are a voluntary initiative to help build state capacity to use the ECTA Center's Practice Improvement Tools to support implementation of RPs by local practitioners and families.

The Practice Improvement Tools are aimed at bringing awareness and support to the dissemination and use of the DEC RPs, and include: Performance Checklists, Practice Guides for Practitioners, Practice Guides for Families, online modules, and training materials.

Recruitment

We are recruiting new Ambassadors to include professional-level Ambassadors (state agency representatives, IHE faculty, technical assistance and professional development organizations) and family-level Ambassadors representing the Parent Centers (PTIs, CPRCs, and PTACs) to become part of the aRPy Ambassador Initiative. Individuals should apply with the support of their Parent Center, DEC Subdivision leaders, state Early Intervention coordinator (Part C), or state Preschool Special Education Coordinator (Section 619).

Benefits

Benefits of being selected as a 2025 Ambassador, include:

  • Attending a sponsored trip to the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute in Chapel Hill, NC (May 13-15, 2025) where you will also receive an in-depth orientation to the Ambassador initiative.
  • Having exclusive access to an Ambassador Toolkit, online portal, and Recommended Practices social media toolkit.
  • Sharing strategies and resources with fellow Ambassadors from across the states and territories.

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria includes but is not limited to individuals who can:

  • Participate in a virtual orientation series in April and May 2025 that will include 5 to 6 required sessions
  • Dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per month over a 24-month period to further the use of the DEC Recommended Practices. This includes a monthly Zoom call.
  • Participate in the annual DEC conferences. The 2025 conference will be Oct. 7-Oct. 10 in Portland, Oregon. The 2026 conference location and dates are to be determined. For those applying as Professional-Level Ambassadors, you will need to certify that your employer will cover the costs associated with travel and participation in each conference.
  • Obtain a letter of support from your state Part C, Part B, Section 619 agency, or parent center, and work supervisor.
  • Are able and willing to collaborate with other groups and entities, including early intervention, early childhood special education, early childhood/agencies/organizations.
  • Have excellent presentation and written and verbal communication skills.

Questions? Email Allison Jones:

allison.jones@unc.edu

Request an Application

Applications are due March 14, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status the week of April 7th, 2025.

All fields are required.

Contact Information

in collaboration with:

  • The Divison for Early Childhood (DEC)
  • Parent to Parent of Georgia