eNotes
July 6, 2021Updates from the ECTA Center
COVID-19 Guidance for IDEA Programs: Policy and TA Checklist for Part C Leaders
This checklist provides guidance to Part C leaders to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The checklist outlines major early intervention topics with recent Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) guidance and includes information on the statutory requirements. Part C programs can use the checklist to review policies created during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure they align with IDEA requirements and to identify any follow-up actions required.
Checklist of State Leadership Team (SLT) Sustainability Features
This checklist can help assess the SLT's ability to work well as a team, make progress, and to ensure members are engaged and committed to the statewide implementation and scale-up of evidence-based practices over time. The quality of teaming and decision-making is predictive of the productivity, commitment, and sustainability of the SLT itself as well as making progress on the State Leadership Team Benchmarks of Quality (SBoQ). While some of the items are similar to items on the SBoQ, this compilation is comprised of features or characteristics of the SLT that contribute to sustainability.
Crosswalk and Spanish Translation of the Preschool During the Pandemic Series
New additions to the Preschool During the Pandemic: Early Childhood Education in Extraordinary Times series include a crosswalk and Spanish translations of the facilitator guides. The 16-part video series shares the experiences of practitioners and families nationwide that illustrate how early education and early childhood special education use technology to successfully support preschoolers and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Separate crosswalks provide the specific indicators and practices featured in each episode and the associated facilitator guide. The series and these accompanying components will be spotlighted in presentations at the OSEP Leadership and Project Directors' conference this month and the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) conference in September.
In Pursuit of Equity in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education
Registration is open for the fourth and fifth sessions in this five-part series featuring equity experts in early childhood special education and early intervention. Hosted by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA), the series explores strategies to disrupt the pervasive inequities of our systems.
Session 4: The ABCs of Anti-Racist Early Intervention, presented by Jen Newton, PhD and Mira Williams, PhD, is Friday, July 23, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern Time.
Session 5: Uncovering and Resisting Racism and Ableism in Early Childhood will be Wednesday, August 4, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Presenters are Hailey Love, PhD and Maggie Beneke, PhD. If you missed the previous sessions, they are archived on the DEC website.
Part C Fiscal 101 Modules: Federal Fiscal Requirements
These 10 modules will help Part C lead agency staff understand the federal fiscal requirements that accompany the acceptance of Part C funding and requirements that apply to all federal funding. Each module addresses a specific component of fiscal requirements and provides a topic overview. Links throughout the modules point to relevant policies and regulations. For questions or more in-depth discussion, Part C programs are encouraged to contact their OSEP state leads.
Racial Equity Learning Community Topical Pages for Part C and 619
In conjunction with the IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA), ECTA has formed the Part C Racial Equity Community. The community will collaborate and learn how to promote practices that center racial equity in statewide early intervention systems by recognizing and exposing systemic bias and racism and identifying and implementing tangible strategies to work towards equitable Part C programs, practices, and outcomes for families. Part C coordinators and staff are invited to participate in meetings to be held the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 pm Eastern Time.
News from the Field
Fact Sheet: Section 2014 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This fact sheet provides an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements of IDEA Part B and Part C. The 15-page document also clarifies that supplemental funding under the ARP is subject to the same requirements as federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021 IDEA funding. The content is categorized in a table by topic and relevant major federal requirements of Parts B and C.
Start with Equity: Advancing Equity in Early Care and Education Systems with the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act
This brief, developed by the Children's Equity Project (CEP), reviews concrete ways to invest in ensuring equitable access, experiences, and outcomes through its 14 previously defined priority areas to dismantle systemic racism in early care and education. The brief can be used to support states and tribes in building a pathway towards stronger, higher-quality, more equitable systems.
Seizing the Moment: Child Care and Early Childhood Cross-Sector Partnership Opportunities Through the American Rescue Plan Recorded Webinar and PowerPoint Available
This recorded event highlighted resources and cross-sector partnership opportunities to maximize and leverage the increased investments for childcare and Head Start programs through the ARP Act. The first part of the webinar features a brief panel presentation on ARP Act early childhood (EC) priorities and guidance from Administration for Children and Families (ACF) leaders. A parent leader from South Carolina shares her perspective on how important the equitable use of ARP funds will be to families and communities. In the unrecorded segment of the presentation, participants joined breakout discussion groups to network, share promising strategies, identify barriers and challenges, and explore partnership opportunities for ARP Act implementation.