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Improving Systems, Practices, and Outcomes

2026–2027 Leadership Coaching Program (LCP) Cohort

  • Applications due August 14, 2026.
  • Applicants notified by August 26, 2026.
  • In-person orientation in Chapel Hill, NC on October 13–14, 2026.

The ECTA Center is inviting Early Intervention (Part C) and Early Childhood Special Education (Part B, Section 619) leaders to apply for the Leadership Coaching Program Cohort, an intensive technical assistance (TA) opportunity focused on strengthening adaptive leadership in early childhood systems.

This cohort is designed for leaders who are navigating complex system challenges that do not have simple or immediate solutions.These adaptive challenges require people to change beliefs, relationships, roles, processes, or ways of working together.

Intended LCP Cohort Outcomes

  1. Through individualized coaching, peer learning, and guided reflection, state or entity leaders will use the Adaptive Leadership Principles for Early Childhood and Adaptive Leadership: Practice Profile to reflect on their leadership practices they want to strengthen and apply those practices to current leadership responsibilities, initiatives, and system improvement efforts.
  2. State or entity leaders will apply selected adaptive leadership practices to current leadership responsibilities, initiatives, and changing priorities within their Part C or Part B, Section 619 systems.
  3. State or entity leaders will use individualized coaching and peer learning to reflect on progress, adjust leadership approaches, and support improved access, participation, services, supports, and positive outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.

Project Description

This opportunity is designed for state or entity leaders who want to strengthen their ability to lead through complexity, changing conditions, and system improvement work. A Coaching Team comprised of TA staff from the ECTA Center will provide individualized coaching support to cohort participants as they reflect on current leadership practices, identify one or more adaptive leadership practices to strengthen, and apply those practices in the context of their ongoing work.

This LCP Cohort is an intensive TA opportunity that will run from October 2026–August 2027. The cohort will include:

  • An in-person orientation in North Carolina with other leaders in the cohort (travel expenses reimbursed by ECTA Center)
  • Monthly virtual individualized coaching sessions with your own personal coach that provide structured opportunities for reflection, problem solving, and action planning
  • Virtual cohort meetings with other participating leaders to share learning, progress, resources, and ideas
  • Updating action plan progress

During orientation, leaders in the cohort will:

Because leadership responsibilities and priorities often shift, each leader's action plan will focus on strengthening transferable leadership practices rather than completing a single initiative-specific task. Leaders will apply their selected adaptive leadership practices to the unique leadership efforts, initiatives, and responsibilities they are involved in throughout the cohort.

Schedule of Activities (October 2026–August 2027)

In-Person Orientation in Chapel Hill, NC

  • October 13, 2026, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM EDT
  • October 14, 2026, 8:30 AM–2:00 PM EDT

Cohort Virtual Meetings

  • December 8, 2026, 12:00–1:30 PM EST
  • February 23, 2027, 12:00–1:30 PM EST
  • April 27, 2027, 12:00–1:30 PM EDT
  • June 22, 2027, 12:00–1:30 PM EDT

Monthly Activities

  • Individual one-on-one coaching sessions scheduled by the state or entity leader and their assigned coach
  • Opportunities to provide feedback on the cohort experience

Application

Requirements

Applicant has:

  • Responsibility for their state or entity Part C or Part B, Section 619 programs.
  • Current or anticipated leadership responsibilities connected to system improvement, policy, professional development, implementation, data use, interagency collaboration, or other leadership efforts with EI or ECSE systems.
  • Interest in using coaching, reflection, and peer learning to strengthen adaptive leadership practices that can be applied across changing responsibilities and initiatives.

If you are not the person functioning in the state or entity EI (Part C) or ECSE (Part B, Section 619) coordinator role, you must include a letter of support signed by a person who functions in that role for your state or entity.

Applications Due Friday, August 14, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT

For questions or support, contact Sonia Sabater: sonia.sabater@unc.edu

Apply for LCP