Community Inclusion Cohort (July 2025–June 2026)

• Applications due Tuesday, June 17, 2025
• Applicants notified by June 30, 2025
• Kickoff call for cohort members: July 16, 2025, 1:00–2:30 PM EDT

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Overview

Dear Applicant,

The ECTA Center is seeking to partner with community-based early childhood leaders to improve access, experiences, and positive outcomes for young children with disabilities and families served through early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) programs in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA statutes addressed by this technical assistance:

• 20 U.S.C. §1400(d)(3) — to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology development and media services; and
• 20 U.S.C. §1450(10) — Parents, teachers, administrators, and related services personnel need technical assistance and information in a timely, coordinated, and accessible manner in order to improve early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results at the State and local levels for children with disabilities and their families.

Locally organized teams will use the community-level indicators of inclusion to determine priorities. The EPIC-P (Engaging Professional Development Supports to Improve and Change Practices) Cycle will guide professional development and ensure effective implementation of practices. State level leaders can support the application and implementation in communities across the state. Individual communities are invited to apply on their own as well.

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Examples of Community-based Early Childhood Program Leaders

• Head Start or Early Care and Education Director/Coordinator
• Childcare Directors/Education Coordinator
• State Pre-K Director

Examples of Local EI/ECSE Coordinators

• Special Education Directors
• ECSE District Coordinator/Leader
• EI Program Director

Examples of Other Partners

• Community Family Organization Leader
• Other interested local/state partners

Examples of State-level Administrators

• Part C Coordinator or designee
• Part B/State ECSE (619) Coordinator or designee
• Part C and ECSE (619) State TA Provider
• Head Start Collaboration Office Director or designee
• CCDF Administrator or designee
• PDG Administrator or designee
• PTI, Family Center Leads

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Project Description

This Community Inclusion Cohort is a 12-month (July 2025–June 2026) intensive TA opportunity for local communities across the country. Community teams that apply should include at least one state-level administrator, one community-based early childhood program, and one local EI/ECSE coordinator, to participate in monthly virtual coaching session with their team and assigned ECTA TA provider, and monthly community of practice with all community teams in the cohort.

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Outcomes for the Community Inclusion Cohort

• Foster collaboration, connection, and belonging for children, families, leaders, practitioners, and educators within their identified home communities
• Support communities to collaborate with state leaders
• Support community leaders, practitioners, and educators to feel competent and confident in serving children with disabilities in their least restrictive environment across settings
• Increase cross-sector collaboration at the local level using Community Inclusion Teams
• Change roles from Direct Service Delivery ONLY to refining and increasing Collaborative/Consultative Services
• Ensure family choice for service delivery across early childhood settings
• Make positive changes and improvements over time, as seen in local data, for example:
  1. Improvement in SPP/APR indicators specific to environments and outcomes (B6, B7, C2 and C3)
  2. Expanded access to a variety of inclusive settings
  3. Decrease in number of families who decline services
  4. Increased provider satisfaction
  5. Increase in use of evidence-based practices as identified by the family and community
  6. Increase in families that report satisfaction with and effectiveness of service for their children
• Sustain mixed delivery service model activities, for example:
  1. Develop collaborative opportunities in personnel onboarding, preparation, and professional development
  2. Support LRE through reflection on the current IFSP or IEP placement decision-making process
  3. Planning local resources for financial sustainability
  4. Develop guidance to help with the braiding and sharing of resources
  5. Ensure invested leadership at the state, community, and program levels

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Application

Individuals with state/community-level leadership responsibility must apply with an identified community-based early childhood program leader and a local EI or ECSE coordinator leader.

Complete the following application by Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and include a letter of support signed by a representative of your agency's leadership (for example, supervisor or director).

If you have questions about your application, email Ben Riepe: benjamin.riepe@du.edu

Apply

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