Call for New Members: DEC Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice (IESJ) Committee
Join like-minded DEC members charged with supporting the inclusion, equity, and social justice work within DEC. Members are recruited through an application process and determined by an EO/EB/Committee team. The application form is available here.
About the Call for New Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice Committee Members
The DEC Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice Committee (or DEC IESJ Committee) is currently seeking Members-At-Large. Members will serve a 2-3 year term with an optional, automatically approved 2-3 year renewal. If a member chooses to renew their term after serving their first 2-3 years, they need not reapply for appointment - they need only to notify the Executive Office and sitting committee chair. If a member chooses not to renew their term after serving their first 2-3 years, they must notify the Executive Office and sitting committee chair. After a member has served a 4-6 year term, if they would like to continue on the committee, they may reapply for appointment in an open call for members.
The charge of the DEC Inclusion, Equity & Social Justice Committee is to support DEC’s priority to create an inclusive, equitable, and just environment for all individuals associated with DEC to include members and partners. The DEC Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice Committee has been created to ensure that all early childhood special education professionals, families, and children from diverse identities, backgrounds, lifestyles, values, and beliefs are included in the events, policies, and practices put forth by DEC.
o The DEC Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice Committee is to support all DEC Committees in assuring that all DEC activities are inclusive, equitable, and just, and welcoming to all members. The DEC Inclusion, Equity, and Social Justice Committee shall be responsible for supporting DEC’s overall inclusion, equity, & social justice priorities and policies.
What is a DEC Committee?
DEC exists so that young children with disabilities and other special needs participate as full members of families and communities and benefit from competent, informed, and connected professionals, families, and policy makers. A critical component to achievement of these Ends is an active Inclusion, Equity, & Social Justice. Committees work under the Executive Office to carry out the formal work of DEC.
The DEC IESJ Committee functions as a necessary and significant arm of the DEC Executive Office. Division for Early Childhood Committees are officially recognized bodies of DEC members that are supported by the DEC Executive Office and are liaised by members of the DEC Executive Board. Committees reflect the formal positions of the Division for Early Childhood and participate in developing, maintaining, and evolving strategies and initiatives that are critical and center to supporting DEC’s mission and beliefs.
The DEC IESJ Committee is a volunteer body comprised of DEC members in good standing. These individuals serve the purpose of providing strategic direction and proposed recommendations for DEC’s inclusion, equity, and social justice priorities.
Members of the IESJ Committee are not considered members of the DEC Executive Board. All IESJ Committee members must be DEC Members in good standing.
When can I join the IESJ Committee? When will I know if I am selected?
This committee has established a Quarterly Consideration Procedure. Applications will be considered for the next round following the last day of each month listed: February, May, August, and November. Applicants can apply at any time and will be considered at next window. Applicants will receive notification the following month of the cut-off. The subcommittee will meet 1 – 2 weeks after the cut-off to accept new members.
DEC encourages all members to apply – we welcome graduate students, practitioners, family members, and higher education faculty!
Questions? Feel free to reach out to the IESJ Committee Chairs: Sheresa Blanchard (blanchardsh@ecu.edu) and Jen Newton (newtonj@ohio.edu).
