Leadership

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Leaders in state and entity Part C and Part B, Section 619 programs often include multiple individuals, including family leaders and others who inform and take responsibility for building and improving the quality of components of their state or entity's system framework.

They contribute their expertise and experiences to implement, improve, and align policies and practices that result in high-quality, effective, and sustainable systems that provide access, services, and supports for children with disabilities and their families. This collaborative leadership involves:

• coordinating with broader early childhood initiatives
• strengthening capacity to improve and sustain effective systems
• improving implementation of effective services and evidence-based practices, including DEC Recommended Practices, in inclusive settings
• improving access to—and participation in—effective and inclusive programs for young children with disabilities

See also: Practice Improvement Tools: Leadership

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REAL Framework: A Planning Guide for Co-Creating with a Variety of Critical Perspectives

The REAL Framework provides an evidence-based process for planning and facilitating co-creation processes with partners most impacted by system challenges and changes. Products and policies that are co-created with and for the people most affected by them have several benefits. They are adopted more quickly, last longer, and produce meaningful improvements for children and families.

A companion REAL Framework Practice Profile defines and describes the critical components of the REAL Framework for engaging critical perspectives in co-creation processes.

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