DEC: Division for Early Childhood Executive Office
Project Description:
DEC is an international membership organization for individuals who work with or on behalf of young children with disabilities from infancy through age eight. DEC represents the largest early childhood special education professional organization in the world. Members include practitioners, researchers, higher education faculty, therapists and related service personnel, families, students, administrators, and policy-makers. DEC produces two journals, the Journal of Early Intervention and Young Exceptional Children and has produced many books and audio/visual resources. National affiliations include partnerships with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Bi-Lingual Educators, National Black Child Development Institute, and the National Head Start Association, and collaboration with the Administration on Children and Families, the head Start Bureau, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education on Early Learning. Advocacy efforts include maintenance of a national Children's Action Network, web-based public-policy alerts and bimonthly updates on a listserv of more than 3,000 individuals.
The Division for Early Childhood promotes policies
and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC helps members implement Part C regulations and promotes practices supporting children with developmental disabilities at national conferences and hearings.
Keyword(s):
International membership organization, children, special needs, gifted
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Renewal Community, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban, Territory, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
