Act Early
Act Early, a collaborative initiative that supports state efforts to improve early identification of autism and other developmental disabilities, including the:
WIC Developmental Monitoring Evaluation Project, improving the capacity of data and information systems collecting developmental monitoring efforts by evaluating the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (LTSAE) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Model Project, also known as the WIC Developmental Monitoring Project.
Act Early Response to COVID-19, providing support for early childhood state systems through the Act Early to support recovery and strengthen resilience skills, behaviors, and resources of children, families, and communities during COVID-19 response, mitigation, and recovery efforts.
Act Early Forum, a national community of over one thousand professionals with medical, child development, developmental disability, special education, and early intervention expertise.
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.
Act Early State Systems Grants, 2011-2019, These grants were designed to strengthen state and community systems for early identification and coordination of services for children with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the specific strategies and implementation activities, click to view the interactive resource, “Learn the Signs. Act Early. AMCHP’s State Systems Grant: Eight Years in Review.”
AUCD collaborates with The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs to implement "Act Early" efforts supported by the Learn the Signs. Act Early. program.
For more information, please contact Chevelle Glymph.
Materials from Past 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.
Louisiana FASD Summit 2023
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Saturday, June 17, 20238:30 am - 5:00 pm
Location: New Orleans, LA and Virtual
Louisiana's UCEDD, the Human Development Center (HDC) at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, will host the Louisiana FASD Summit as an initial activity to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This event lays the foundation for building engagement in addressing the lack of access to screening/diagnosing, prevention, providing evidence-based services and supports for individuals with FASD and their families in Louisiana.
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.
News
3/18/2024
AUCD Joins University of Kansas as Co-Host for Gatlinburg Conference on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Gatlinburg Conference, a premier research event focused on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in its 56th year, is proud to announce that the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) will be joining the University of Kansas as co-host for this year's conference. The event is scheduled to take place from April 17th to 19th in Kansas City, MO, with the theme "Early Life Identification of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities."
6/26/2023
Funding Opportunity: State or Tribal Liaisons to CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) announce a funding opportunity for Act Early Ambassadors and Tribal Act Early Ambassadors to work with CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early."
3/13/2023
UCONN UCEDD Awarded National Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Development Equity Center
Mary Beth Bruder, PhD Director of UConn UCEDD & LEND and Tawara Goode Director of Georgetown UCEDD & LEND has been awarded a $10 million federal grant by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education, to provide technical assistance to increase equity in the delivery of early childhood intervention services to infants and young children from diverse backgrounds who have disabilities or developmental delays.
