Together, we will explore: What can be accomplished collectively! How resources can be pooled, stories shared, and influence expanded! How to elevate Early Intervention (EI) as a shared national priority! The Importance of Early Intervention Early Intervention is our primary focus. This vital work supports children from birth through grade three. Looking ahead, the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) plans to develop companion campaigns. These campaigns will raise awareness of

DEC Supports Maintaining All Parts of IDEA at the Department of Education DEC Members and Partners, We will begin by saying that we are very concerned about the funding of early childhood programs across the landscape as outlined in the President’s FFY 2027 Budget Request. This information is shared with a call for action that is not just for today but ongoing as it will take all of us to ensure that critical early childhood programs are accessible to families. While we appre

Deadlines Extended The DEC Family Committee is accepting applications now through Friday, May 29th, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Learn more. Apply here. The DEC Recommended Practices Committee is accepting applications now through Tuesday, June 30th, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time - Learn more. Apply here. The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is now accepting applications for open committee positions across nine of our active committees. The details of each committee's call an

DEC and NAEYC are revising the 2009 Joint Position Statement on Early Childhood Inclusion to reflect current research and practice. We’re now in the final phase of feedback and invite you to review the draft and share your input. Your perspective will help ensure the statement reflects the needs of the field and supports inclusive practices for young children with disabilities. Feedback is open through Monday, April 27th, 2026. Review the draft and complete the survey here. D

DEC Executive Board Nomination Information Session Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time - Register here. Join the info session to have your questions answered about the DEC Executive Board and the nomination process! Helping shape the future of early childhood special education/early intervention through purpose-driven, equity-centered leadership. The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) invites self-nominations for service on the DEC Executive Board be

Now Available - View the full list of sessions here! This spring, the Division for Early Childhood invites you to engage in deep, practice-focused learning during our three-day virtual institute, Tuesday, April 14th - Thursday, April 16th, 2026! Grounded in DEC Recommended Practices and EI/ECSE Professional Standards, this institute will emphasize real-world application, collaborative problem solving, and strategies that strengthen equitable outcomes for young children and

The DEC Inclusion, Equity, and Social Justice Community of Practice (IESJ CoP) is recruiting a new co‑facilitator to join current facilitator Ashley Watts, EdD beginning in Spring 2026. This is an opportunity for DEC members to deepen their leadership, strengthen our collective capacity, and help sustain a CoP committed to advancing equity, anti‑racist practice, and justice‑centered early childhood systems. We strongly encourage applications from members who reflect the full

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is seeking reviewers for the first issue of the DEC Monograph Series, focused on Deconstructing and Reframing Challenging Behavior. Reviewers are being sought for both scholarly manuscripts and Spotlights on Strength. This monograph brings together research, policy, practice, and lived experience to challenge deficit-oriented narratives and to center equity, context, and systems-level perspectives in early childhood. Consistent with DEC’

Join the Division for Early Childhood for an overview of the progress and future direction of the “Be Part of EI” campaign on Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 12:30 PM Eastern Time. Register here to attend. This session will introduce opportunities for a grassroots, crowd-sharing approach to strengthening awareness and encouraging engagement. Together, we will explore: What we can accomplish collectively! How we can pool our resources, share our stories, and influence others! Ho

Save the Date for the DEC Virtual Institutes! Download the flyer here.