Colorado Literacy, Education, and Disability (LEADS)
Project Description:
Colorado LEADs in Child Care, in collaboration with families, state agencies, child care providers, and other individuals and organizations from across the state, will develop a statewide mentoring network of individuals to do on-site matching of child care providers with qualified mentors who have experience in literacy and education for children with developmental disabilities. Colorado LEADs in Child Care will also compile and disseminate a handbook on best practices in inclusive child care based on promising practices in early literacy and education, found in Colorado’s child care community through work with the following partnerships:
- Map to Inclusive Child Care
- The Colorado Department of Education and Department of Human Services
- Consolidated Child Care Pilots
- Early Intervention and Part C of the IDEA
- The Child Care Summit
- Professional development networks
- Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children
- University of Colorado Boulder Speech and Language Center
The plan will include the following key components: 1) identify model programs in inclusive early education in Colorado, including models incorporating Braille literacy; 2) provide training for parents to become mentors for child care providers; 3) disseminate quality promising practices through a guidebook for parents and professionals; 4) develop a technical report series focusing on outcomes and evaluation in early literacy and education; and 5) foster a change in infrastructure that would support the inclusion of inclusive literacy and emergent literacy skills, and Braille literacy, in child care professional development.
Keyword(s):
literacy and education for children with disabilities; child care
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Limited English, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
