Supporting Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in Child Care Settings

Infants and toddlers with disabilities are often enrolled in center or home based child care programs as their parents seek out employment, education, or respite. Therefore, IDEA Part C early intervention (EI) services are commonly delivered within these natural environments. However, meaningfully including very young children in child care settings and effectively collaborating with child care providers is challenging. Collaboration must be intentional and based respectful relationships among team members. In addition to reviewing the basic concepts of collaboration, this Learning Deck will provide strategies for EI providers, child care providers, and family members to implement DEC Recommended Practices of Teaming and Collaboration, specifically TC 1-3, by discussing common barriers and potential solutions to supporting infants and toddlers with disabilities in child care settings. Strategies and resources to accomplish each practice will include ideas for individuals, programs, and states.
 
Participant Outcomes:
Participants will gain an understanding of the concepts and key resources for collaboration for early childhood special education/early intervention.
Participants will gain an understanding of common barriers to collaboration among family members, child care providers, and early intervention providers.
Participants will gain an awareness of strategies, solutions, and resources to support and advocate for collaboration about family members, child care providers and early intervention providers.
 
Presenters: Jenna Weglarz-Ward, PhD

Jenna Weglarz-Ward, PhD, is an assistant professor of Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is active in her state’s efforts to support early childhood inclusion. Her current research focuses on supporting young children with disabilities in community settings, professional collaboration, and family practice.