Act Early Ambassador Program
Act Early Ambassadors expand the reach of the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program and support their respective state’s work toward improving early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism.
Since 2011, professionals with medical, child development, developmental disability, special education, and early intervention expertise have been selected to
- Serve as a state or territorial point-of-contact for the national “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program;
- Support the work of Act Early Teams and other state/territorial or national initiatives to improve early identification of developmental delay and disability; and
- Promote the adoption and integration of “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” resources into systems that serve young children and their families.
Act Early Ambassadors attending the 2022 Act Early Ambassador
Training at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia.
Want to learn more?
Meet the 2022-2023 Ambassadors!
Current Ambassador Roster & Contact Information
Find the Act Early Ambassador in your state/territory!
For additional questions, please contact Chevelle Glymph
Upcoming Events
Act Early Forum Webinar Series presents The State(s) of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education: Looking at Equity
Thursday, August 10, 20231:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom
This webinar will cover the findings of the report, "The State(s) of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education: Looking at Equity." This insightful report is the first of its kind, providing a state-by-state analysis of federally funded programs for young children with disabilities, with a specific focus on equity. We will explore the four critical dimensions of variation in early intervention (EI) and early childhood special education (ECSE) services: impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, race and ethnicity, gender, and the state in which a child lives.
Act Early Forum Webinar Series: Lifestyle Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes
Wednesday, February 22, 20231:00pm - 2:00pm ET
Location: Zoom
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." (LTSAE) is a CDC program that promotes collaboration among early childhood programs in states and territories so children with autism or other developmental delays and disabilities can be identified early and referred to appropriate services and supports. This webinar will provide an overview of the purpose and scope of interventions towards improving the lifestyle of autistic individuals and their families and include high-level overview of findings.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference
Monday, May 2, 2022 - Tuesday, May 31, 2022Location: Virtual
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative* is excited to offer a virtual training series about Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. The purpose of this month-long May Event is to raise awareness and offer educational opportunities for professionals working with children 0-6 and their families. This critical workforce includes, among others, early childhood mental health professionals, early interventionists, early childhood educators, home visiting professionals, families, and caregivers.
Assessing Family Needs by Going Through Their Day... and Their Worries and Desires for Change
Tuesday, March 15, 20223:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Family assessment is required in IDEA Part C but is important throughout childhood and youth. A unique way to determine family needs is a Routines-Based Intervention, especially if it involves asking about time for yourself, what you worry about, and what you'd like to change in your life. This intervention leads to outcomes/goals meaningful to families and functional for children.
Act Early Forum Webinar Series: The 4 Steps to Early Identification in a Special Population: Leveraging Project SCOPE to Support Families of Young Children
Monday, March 7, 20221:00 p.m. ET - 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
This webinar will highlight the work of the Project SCOPE (Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic) National Training Initiative to integrate "Learn the Signs. Act Early." resources and tools into the curriculum used in 14 states. Project SCOPE uses the ECHO model to increase the knowledge and skills of interdisciplinary audiences (e.g., early childhood educators, early interventionists, therapists, public health professionals) who work with children with prenatal opioid exposure and other related trauma exposures and their caregivers.
Mailman Center Hosts: Innovation and Connection Conference 2022
Tuesday, February 8, 20229:00
Location: Virtual
The conference will bring together experts in early childhood development to discuss challenges and opportunities for the care and wellness of young children as they grow up in a pandemic. Speakers will discuss the physical and emotional impacts of COVID-19 on children 0-5 and their families and highlight ways in which early childhood personnel and allied health professionals can better support young children's well-being and development through practice and policy.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Round-up
Wednesday, February 2, 20223:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Location: Webinar
The fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) SIG invites you to join them for a review of current research that you might use in your work building or expanding your program of services and supports for individuals with FASD. Dr. Christie L. M. Petrenko, Ph.D. (Research Associate at the University of Rochester) and Dr. Edward Riley, Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, College of Sciences, San Diego State University) will join the FASD SIG to discuss current research focused on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
Preventing the Mismeasure of Young Children
Tuesday, January 18, 20223:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
This webinar will help to prepare interdisciplinary professionals to become important team members and crucial partners to parents and teachers in the early childhood intervention field (e.g., teachers, speech/language pathologists; occupational therapists, physical therapists; early behavior specialists; and social workers).
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." in Health Center Settings
Wednesday, August 18, 20213:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom Webinar
This quarter's Act Early Network Webinar will highlight the work of pediatricians to integrate "Learn the Signs. Act Early." resources and tools into their surveillance and screening practices within Federally Qualified Health Center settings. Federally Qualified Health Centers are community-based health providers that receive funds from the Human Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas.
Supporting Teachers' Use of Assistive Technology in Early Childhood: Lessons Learned in a Post-Pandemic World
Tuesday, June 22, 20213:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom Meeting
In this webinar, presenters will discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to modify a professional development program designed to support early childhood educators in using assistive technology with young children with disabilities. Following a brief overview of the core features of our coaching model, presenters will discuss responsiveness to the needs of both parents and educators as they pivoted to using AT for remote learning. The presentation will highlight unique challenges, unexpected benefits, key takeaways, and implications for the future of AT training in a virtual world.
An Update from the Act Early Response to COVID-19
Monday, May 24, 20213:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom Meeting
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." (LTSAE) is a CDC program that promotes collaboration among early childhood programs in states and territories so children with autism or other developmental delays and disabilities can be identified early and referred to appropriate services and supports. This past year the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded 43 states and territories to focus on early childhood state systems to support recovery and strengthen resilience skills, behaviors, and resources of children, families, and communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This webinar will provide an overview of LTSAE, the purpose and scope of the Act Early Response to COVID-19 and include a high-level overview of findings from the Act Early/COVID-19 Response Team needs assessment process.
"Learn the Signs. Act Early." as a Tool to Strengthen Early Childhood Systems
Thursday, February 25, 2021Location: Zoom
This quarter's Act Early Network Webinar will feature the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) alongside four states representing the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (ECCS CoIIN). ECCS CoIIN is a multiyear initiative to improve early childhood systems in twelve states to increase age-appropriate developmental skills among 3-year-old children and reduce developmental disparities.
Disability Inclusion and Emergency Preparedness: AUCD, ASTHO and NACCHO Partnership and Collaboration
Thursday, February 25, 20213:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom Webinar
Join this webinar to hear from three CDC sister grantees that are coordinating to include people with disabilities in emergency preparedness! The webinar will feature updates from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)'s Prepared4ALL initiative of the National Center on Disability Inclusion and Emergency Preparedness, along with strategies for connecting with state and local public health officials in the COVID-19 response and beyond. Partners from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) will share updates on disability inclusion efforts, including regional and local approaches.
Services and Supports for Adults with FASD
Wednesday, February 10, 20213:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
When children with disabilities become adults, there is a significant reduction in services and supports available. For individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), however, that loss of services is even more dramatic. A three-person panel will discuss the current state of services and supports, identifying options and describing how certain states have achieved successes in developing new services. This webinar is an essential event for the developmental disabilities community, including clinicians, service providers, individuals with FASD, families, local and state agencies, and advocates.
Creating Effective Partnerships to Improve Early Identification: IDEA Early Intervention and Early Childhood Programs and LTSAE Ambassadors
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 - Tuesday, November 17, 20203:00 p.m. ET - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: webinar
Attend this interactive Act Early Network Quarterly webinar to learn more about Rhode Island's Early Intervention partnership with their Act Early Ambassador to educate and train professionals in home visiting programs including Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home visiting (MECHV) Program professionals and early care and education professionals (such as Parents as Teachers) on the use of "Learn The Signs. Act Early."(LTSAE) developmental milestone resources to support earlier identification.
Early Childhood Personnel Center Annual Workshop: Assuring a Quality Workforce Through Personnel Standards
Thursday, November 12, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
The purpose of this meeting is to update early childhood intervention (ECI) stakeholders from across the AUCD network to learn about: The NEW national personnel standards: Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI/ECSE). Learn new ECPC resources and tools that have been developed to support the use of the NEW standards
Educational Strategies for Working with Students with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Wednesday, August 5, 20203:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Location: Webinar
In this webinar the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) SIG will be discuss working with students who have a FASD be challenging for parents, educators, and others providing services and supports to the students in the educational setting. This session will discuss effective educational strategies and available resources for working with students with a FASD.
Marking a Milestone for CDC's Milestone Tracker App
Wednesday, July 22, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
During this webinar, CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." (LTSAE) program will provide an in-depth update on the current status of its unique developmental monitoring tool, CDC's Milestone Tracker app. LTSAE aims to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism, by promoting developmental monitoring so children and their families can get the services and support they need.
Resources for Building and Strengthening FASD Initiatives
Tuesday, June 16, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
In this webinar, members of the FASD SIG will present resources for increasing your knowledge about FASD, training others, and supporting individuals with lived experience and their families. Attendees are encouraged to share resources they find helpful. Following the presentation and discussion, participants will have a general conversation about strategies for building a strong network of programs serving individuals with FASD.
Families: What They are Saying, and how UCEDDs and LENDs can help
Tuesday, May 19, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Families are facing many challenges during this Covid-19 Public Health Crisis. If a family has a child with a disability, these challenges are magnified. This webinar will share information collected from surveys of families with children with disabilities from around the country as they cope with Covid 19. A panel of family leaders will then discuss what UCEDDS and LENDs can do to help families and their children now, and in the near future.
COVID-19: How UCEDDS and LEND programs can partner with state and local special education systems during this, and future pandemics
Tuesday, May 12, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
John Eisenberg, Executive Director of The National Association of State Directors of Special Education will highlight what is currently happening across the country to support students with disabilities in schools, and he will discuss recommendations on how UCEDD and LEND Programs can be instrumental in helping state and local systems deal with the many obstacles faced by service providers. He will also provide some tips and strategies that participants can use immediately and in the future.
COVID-19: How UCEDDS and LEND programs can partner with state and local early intervention and special education systems during this, and future pandemics
Tuesday, April 28, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Maureen Greer, Executive Director of the IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association, will provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities state Part C systems are experiencing, and alternative methodologies being used to deliver services. AUCD need to use their knowledge, expertise and resources to assist both during the crisis and after states experience what may be a new normal.
The Current State of Service Coordination Across the Country
Tuesday, December 17, 20193:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The national status of service coordination under Part C of IDEA for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families will be described using data from surveys and case studies. The presenters will describe three data sets collected to measure aspects of service coordination, and discuss the challenges facing service coordinators and families as reported in the data.
NEW EI/ECSE Standards- Why? When? Next Steps
Tuesday, September 24, 20193:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children is in the process of developing the first ever, stand alone, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Personnel Preparation Standards. Learn more about the standards,what led to this important step forward for the EI/ECSE workforce and what it means to the Early Childhood Field/Systems. We will share opportunities to provide feedback to the DEC Standards Development Task Force.
Act Early Network Quarterly Webinar: Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (B-5) Overview and Collaborative Opportunities
Wednesday, March 27, 20192:00pm - 3:00pm ET
Location: Webinar
Please join us on Wednesday, March 27th from 2-3p ET for our Act Early Network Quarterly Webinar. This quarter we will be highlighting the Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (B-5).
Millennial Connections Survey Results from Millennial Parents on their Beliefs, Needs, and Challenges
Wednesday, January 16, 2019Location: Webinar
This quarter, the Act Early Network is partnering with ZERO TO THREE to bring you a presentation on Millennial Connections: Survey Results from Millennial Parents on their Beliefs, Needs, and Challenges.
Act Early Webinar: Empowering Developmental Monitoring
Wednesday, September 26, 201812:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Webinar
Monitoring developmental milestones is important, whether you are a parent, early childhood educator, or healthcare provider! Join the Learn the Signs. Act Early. program as they connect with a representative from each audience to share real-life experiences and best practices for developmental monitoring and celebrating milestones, as well as the tools and resources that have helped them in providing the best care for children.
How Does Infant Mental Health Support the Work of Part C/Early Intervention?
Tuesday, September 18, 20183:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Competency Guidelines, created in Michigan, grew from competencies developed for Part C by that state's Department of Education. They have evolved to capture a broad range of knowledge and skill areas and the opportunity to earn a credential (Endorsement) for professionals who serve pregnant women, infants, young children, and families across all disciplines and service sectors, including early intervention. Presentation will include the usefulness of these competencies in supporting social-emotional development and relational health for families where the infant or young child is experiencing a delay or disability.
Latest Findings on Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and that Children receiving Developmental Monitoring and Developmental Screening Together are more likely to receive Early Intervention
Monday, May 21, 20183:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Webinar
Daisy Christensen, Epidemiologist at NCBDDD at CDC, will present on the recent "Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014" data release. The latest findings from the ADDM Network provide evidence that the prevalence of ASD is higher than previously reported estimates and continues to vary among certain racial/ethnic groups and communities. With prevalence of ASD ranging from 13.1 to 29.3 per 1,000 children aged 8 years in different communities throughout the United States, the need for behavioral, educational, residential, and occupational services remains high, as does the need for increased research on both genetic and nongenetic risk factors for ASD. During the latter half of the webinar, Rebecca Wolf, Team Lead, "Learn the Signs. Act Early." at CDC, and Brian Barger, Director of Research and Evaluation at GSU's UCEDD, will present on the study and findings of, "Better Together: Developmental Screening and Monitoring Best Identify Children who need Early Intervention".
CDC's New Milestone Tracker: There's an App for That!
Wednesday, November 29, 20173:00PM Eastern - 4:00PM Eastern
Location: Webinar
Health Communications Experts from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined us on the line for an overview of CDC's FREE, new Milestone Tracker app. During this webinar participants will learn more about the app's unique features, receive tips on how to use the app to boost family engagement around developmental monitoring and screening, and get ideas for how to help promote the app in their communities. CDC developed the Milestone Tracker app to offer a fun and easy way to engage parents and other care providers in the important activity of monitoring children's early development.
Emerging Populations: Challenges for the Early Childhood System
Tuesday, September 26, 20173:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
As a result of the opioid epidemic impacting many states, the early childhood system will be challenged to appropriately identify and serve very young children who have been exposed to prenatal substance use. Part C and preschool special education programs will have new and different issues in meeting child and family needs. Understanding and meeting the needs of the eligible population will require partnering with other early childhood programs as well as providing training and support for the professionals who will serve the family.
Developmental Surveillance & Screening in Practices Initiatives at the American Academy of Pediatrics
Thursday, February 16, 20173:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Christina Boothby, the Manager of Medical Homes Initiatives at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will present the implementation and findings of the developmental surveillance and screening project that is support by the CDC. Attendees will learn about a messaging campaign and a quality improvement project focusing on improving developmental surveillance and screening among pediatricians. Laura Frankel DeStigter, Manager of Screening in Practices Initiative at the AAP will present the planning and early implementation of the Screening in Practices Initiative. e screening, referral, and follow-up for developmental milestones.
Early Childhood Workforce Development
Wednesday, September 7, 20162:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The early childhood workforce plays a critical role in successfully including children with disabilities in early childhood programs. However, as noted in the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs released by the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services (HHS), there is large variability in the training, education, and expertise of the early childhood workforce to effectively support inclusion. Presenters will discuss current issues related to workforce development and highlight training programs at University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Beyond Implementation: Capturing the Value of Care Coordination
Thursday, May 28, 201512:00pmET - 1:00pmET
Location: webinar
Beyond Practice: Fostering Diverse Partnerships for Effective Care Coordination
Wednesday, April 22, 201512:00pmET - 1:00pmET
Location: webinar
The National Center for Medical Home Implementation (NCMHI) in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is hosting a free 3-part webinar series focusing on patient- and family- centered care coordination and its benefits for children, families, and clinicians.
Act Early Forum Webinar: Text4Baby Mobile Information Service and Act Early Collaboration Opportunities
Thursday, April 16, 20152:00pm ET - 3:00pm ET
The Act Early Forum Webinar: Text4Baby Mobile Information Service and Act Early Collaboration Opportunities is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 2pm-3pmET.
Beyond Policy: Implementing Care Coordination in Practice
Monday, March 30, 20151:00pmET - 2:00pmET
Location: webinar
The National Center for Medical Home Implementation (NCMHI) is hosting the first webinar in a three part series focusing on implementation and evaluation of pediatric care coordination.
Now Archived: Bringing PBIS to Early Childhood Programs: The prevention of challenging behavior and the promotion of young children's social emotional competence
Tuesday, February 17, 20154:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Join us for a discussion about the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) within early care and education programs. Dr. Lise Fox, one of the developers of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children, will describe how the framework of PBIS can be implemented with very young children within community and publicly-funded early care and education programs
Act Early Forum Webinar: Healthy Beginnings System of Care Project
Thursday, October 23, 20143:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Please join the next Act Early Webinar as we welcome Susan Bertonaschi, Director of Health Promotion at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, to introduce the Healthy Beginnings System of Care project. This project was designed to address the goal of helping young children become and stay healthy, develop well, and thrive socially and emotionally in order to achieve academic success.
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2014 CAAI Virtual Poster Symposium
Monday, July 28, 2014 - Tuesday, July 29, 20143:00 PM EDT - 5:00 PM EDT
Location: webinar
CAAI grantees are cordially invited to present at and participate in our first CAAI Virtual Poster Symposium! A virtual poster symposium expands the concept of a poster presentation beyond the walls of a conference hall. This event will share a wide variety of successes CAAI grantees have experienced in the identification, assessment, diagnosis, and services to children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities and their families.
Act Early Forum Webinar: The Act Early Network and You: Autism CARES Act
Thursday, July 24, 2014 - Thursday, July 24, 20143:30pm ET - 4:30pm ET
Location: Webinar
2014 Act Early Ambassador Training (Invitation Only)
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 - Wednesday, June 4, 2014Location: Atlanta, GA
This two-day training will provide opportunities to learn more about the Ambassador program, including discussion about resources and tools that can be utilized during your term as an Ambassador. There will also be opportunities to network, share, and learn from fellow Ambassadors, the "Learn the Signs. Act Early." team at CDC and other Act Early partners.
