Call for DEC Service Coordination (SC) Committee Members
Open: April 8, 2022 - May 11, 2022
The new DEC Service Coordination (SC) Committee is forming within the Division of Early Childhood (DEC). At this time, we are recruiting up to 10 new members to join the newly appointed Committee Co-Chairs Dana Childress from the Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU and Sarah Nichols from the Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois. Dana and Sarah are both former service coordinators in early intervention (EI) and have been leading national SC efforts together since 2017.
We seek DEC members with background, knowledge, and experience working as a service coordinator, preparing or training service coordinators (leaders, professional development providers, faculty), and/or receiving EI service coordination (family members). Members representative of the diversity of DEC’s membership, including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, are encouraged to apply. We seek representation of geography, organizations, agencies, universities, and experience.
Applicants should be knowledgeable about the DEC Mission and Policies (including the Priority Issues Agenda), Service Coordination in Early Intervention Joint Position Statement and Knowledge and Skills for Service Coordinators. We encourage members to apply who can: 1) participate in monthly SC Committee meetings; 2) help develop and provide guidance in partnership with the DEC Executive Office to ensure a highly effective service coordination workforce is prepared, ready, and available to serve families; and 3) contribute to product development and/or review of educational and awareness materials needed to promote the role of service coordination in EI.
We invite you to take this opportunity to become an engaged and active leader within DEC!
What is the DEC SC Committee?
The DEC Service Coordination Committee will serve as an extension of the Executive Office (EO) and Executive Board (EB) to help carry out the DEC mission and priority issues of the organization as it pertains to the service coordination in early intervention (EI). The Committee will collaborate with the EO, EB, and the Service Coordination Community of Practice to ensure that the organization is a thriving professional home for EI service coordinators. Through strategic planning and the oversight and development of products and materials promoting high quality service coordination, this Committee will engage and support professionals in the EI field, invite family perspectives, and encourage leaders to implement the calls to action in the DEC/ITCA Joint Position Statement: Service Coordination and Early Intervention. More information on DEC Committees is available here.
The SC Committee Composition
The SC Committee will consist of DEC members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring the field is aware of the important role service coordinators fulfill in EI programs. Committee members will also promote the importance of families participating in EI and families having access to high quality service coordination services. Members’ work will reflect the requirement that service coordinators are adequately prepared and supported for the important role that they play as the only mandated service identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The membership will be made up of DEC members in good standing and are not currently serving in another leadership role within DEC. Members who apply to serve volunteer their time and are not considered members of the DEC Executive Board.
Benefits of Becoming a SC Committee Member
Connect with others who share a passion and commitment for elevating service coordination in EI
Collaborate with other professional members and partnering committees, communities of practice and organizations to help ensure service coordinators have the skills and knowledge to provide high quality service coordination services
Learn with and from others who are serving in an advisory capacity to an international organization which can positively impact families in the United States and across the globe
Grow in your own ability to lead and influence change, advocacy efforts, and growth for a highly effective EI service coordination workforce
Get a discount for DEC conference registration (if/when available)
SC Committee Member Qualifications and Expectations
Must be a DEC member in good standing.
Have experience and/or interest in one or more of the following topics as it relates to service coordination in EI such as providing or receiving service coordination, leading or preparing service coordinators, or partnering with service coordinators on EI teams.
Willing to serve a two or three-year term with reappointment as an option upon approval by the Executive Office and Committee Chair(s)
Attend and contribute to project work and conference calls/virtual meetings
Make the necessary time commitment (approximately 3-6 hours per month)
Attend and participate in the DEC annual conference if/when possible
Example activities to expect from the SC Committee:
Promote education, awareness, and activities that connect to the DEC mission and priorities and address the calls to action in the DEC/ITCA Joint Position Statement: Service Coordination and Early Intervention.
Develop and/or assist with development of resources to support higher education faculty, professional development providers, and program leaders to promote high quality service coordination
Disseminate relevant information to support a highly qualified service coordination workforce through DEC’s webpages, webinars, conference presentations, manuscripts, etc.
Collaborate with DEC Communities of Practice, Committees with overlapping interests, and partner with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., IDEA Infant/Toddler Coordinators Association, Early Childhood Personnel Center, Zero to Three)
Apply by Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Time for consideration. Be sure to have your current resume/CV and DEC member number available as these items will be required. Complete the application here.
