Project Description:
This project focuses upon consultation, training, instruction, and technical assistance to meet the needs of child care teachers, parents, educators, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and service providers for the inclusion of children with different needs and developmental delays.
GOALS:
1. Provide consultation, technical assistance, and training to child care providers, educators, faith communities, parents, and service providers to improve quality of care and inclusion for all children.
2. Identify four (4) child development sites around the state to use as model sites for demonstration of inclusion and support to home, center, faith, and group facilities.
3. Provide in-service and pre-service educational training for the inclusion of children with delays/disabilities.
4. Conduct clinical symposiums and interdisciplinary conferences.
5. Develop training materials to support inclusion of children with different needs and developmental delays.
6. Implement parent education activities to include information about child care, community resources, inclusion, parent empowerment and coping, and the service delivery system.
Pre-service and In-service Training: Trainings and classes (disability and disability-related issue information) are areas of critical need for child care providers, faith-based community, service providers, parents, and educators. Currently, trainings and classes include 50+ topics directly and indirectly related to disabilities, i.e., cerebral palsy, ADHD, inclusion, and behavior. Credits are offered for child care licensing (CCCCD) and the SC Infant-Toddler Credential (TECS). Classes are taught for the Early Childhood Certificate Program and the Early Childhood Associate Degree Program in the Technical College System.
Technical Assistance: The project provides technical assistance (TA) for parents, professionals, and paraprofessionals on a statewide level. TA activities include curriculum development, disability information, diseases, after school programs, modification of specialized equipment or activities, inclusion, accommodations, and accessing community services.
Research: The project researches new legislation, parent?s and provider?s needs, best practice issues, and services related to inclusion.
Dissemination: Dissemination efforts include disability and related topic monographs, program information, brochures, articles, conferences, and presentations.
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership, Other
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State
