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Partners for Inclusive Communities (Partners) has been providing training to early childhood professionals to encourage inclusion and promote greater understanding of diversity/cultural competency since 2003 through the Welcome the Children (WTC) project. It is funded by the AR Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, with funding sources split between state ABC and federal CCDF. The goal of Welcome the Children is to assist early childhood professionals to better understand diversity, appreciate cultural differences and similarities, learn strategies to support English Language Learners, and promote inclusion of children with disabilities. To accomplish this goal, statewide personalized training and technical assistance is delivered at no cost to Arkansas early childhood professionals. Workshops cover four general topic areas: (1) Diversity in Children and Families, (2) Inclusion of Children with Disabilities, (3) Dual Language/English Language Learners, and (4) Interpreters and Translators. The training and technical assistance assists early childhood programs to create inclusive settings for all children.
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