Division for Early Childhood Special Education Legislative Summit Wraparound Activities

Hosted by the Division for Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

Community of Practice (PACoP) - Learn more about the PACoP here.

Before the Summit

DEC & SELS: How to Engage in Advocacy at SELS or From Home Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, 6:00 – 7:15 PM Eastern Time - Register here.

All DEC members have a voice in advocacy. Learn about the Federal issues discussed during SELS and discuss how they relate to work you can do at the State and Local level.

If you are planning to attend SELS, what can you do to prepare?

If you are unable to attend, what can you do at home to connect with Federal, State, and Local representatives about these issues?

During the Summit

Meet Us for Dinner

If you are participating in SELS in Alexandria, VA, July 13th – 16th, 2025, please let us know. DEC members will be gathering at a local restaurant to spend time together and discuss issues important to young children and their families! Dinner is being planned for Sunday or Monday night based on the SELS schedule. Email Sharon Walsh if you are interested in joining the dinner.

Follow Us on Social Media

From Sunday, July 13th through Wednesday, July 16th, follow DEC's Social Media to hear about individual’s experiences at SELS. Share your own advocacy efforts while at SELS or at home!

After the Summit

Advocacy from Home: Creating a Comprehensive Advocacy Plan Tuesday, July 29th, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Eastern Time - Register here.

Advocacy at home goes beyond the US Congress. Learn about ways you can advocate for young children with disabilities and their families through legislative and administrative activities at the state and local level. Support policies for young children from your community government to the State Legislature and the Governor’s office!

In July, the Council for Exceptional Children and the Council for Administrators of Special Education, will be convening over 200 advocates to head to Capitol Hill and carry the message forward that NOW is the time to support our schools, our teachers, and our students with disabilities.

Will you join us? The 2025 Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS) is your chance to connect with colleagues to build a collective voice toward a better future through federal action. This year, your advocacy is even more important than ever before. Share with your Congressional delegation what’s really happening in the field of early childhood special education and how shifts in funding and programming will impact infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities, as well as their families. Share your experiences with the educator shortage, funding for IDEA, mental health needs, and the overarching needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

The in-person summit will include federal policy-focused panel presentations covering pressing issues that impact the field, strategies for effective engagement with Members of Congress, and an opportunity to network with colleagues and plan for a day on Capitol Hill. The event will start on Sunday, July 13th and conclude on Wednesday, July 16th. Hill visits will take place in person on Tuesday, July 15th, subject to the in-person policies of Congressional offices.

Registration closes June 27th, and we hope you will join us!