New Opportunity – Latin American Learning Collaborative Call for Committee Members

Open: May 9th, 2024 - July 17th, 2024

In 2023, the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Confederación Plena inclusión España and the Catholic University of Valencia entered a formal collaboration agreement. Our goal is to open a pathway for practitioners and others interested in the work of early intervention to share wisdom and resources between the U.S., Spain, and 14 additional Latin American countries. In 2024 we will start the Latin American Learning Collaborative as a means to meet this goal. We hope to recruit a group that includes 8-10 members from the US and 1-2 members from each country. These members will serve as ambassadors for the work and ambassadors for Recommended Practices. If you are interested in this work, please apply to the call for members below.

Are you a current Early Intervention (EI) practitioner, someone who leads or prepares practitioners (local supervisors, professional development providers, faculty, etc.), a family member who has received EI services, or someone who shares a passion for early intervention across and is ready to level up their leadership?  If you answered YES to any of these please consider applying to join the Latin American Learning Collaborative!

We seek members with background, knowledge, and experience in EI service provision.  Members representative of the diversity of DEC membership are encouraged to apply, including race, ethnicity, culture, language, dialect, age, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, and national origin. We seek representation of geography, organizations, agencies, universities, and experience. We seek members representing all member categories (practitioners, family members, higher education faculty, etc.). Applicants should be knowledgeable about the DEC Mission and Policies (including the Priority Issues Agenda), and Racial Equity Point of View. Members will be required to join DEC as members of this committee. Options for support for the cost of membership will be available as needed.

We encourage members to apply who can:

1. Participate in monthly committee meetings;

2. Help develop and provide guidance in partnership with the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Confederación Plena inclusión España and the Catholic University of Valencia to ensure a highly effective 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 work of early intervention.
   

Need more information to help you make a decision?

• Read on for more information about the Committee, including expectations, qualifications, and benefits of becoming a Committee member.

• Email your questions to Peggy Kemp peggy@dec-sped.org or Marga Canadas margarita.canadas@ucv.es
  

Submit your application here by Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) for consideration. The online application and resume/CV must be submitted in order for the application to be complete.

What is the Latin American Learning Collaborative Committee?

The committee will be located logistically at DEC and 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 work of early intervention (EI).  The Committee will collaborate with the EO and the EB. Through strategic planning and the oversight and development of products and materials promoting high quality early intervention, this Committee will engage and support professionals in the EI field, invite family perspectives, and encourage leaders to implement high quality early intervention as aligned with the Recommended Practices. Learn more about DEC Committees here.

The Committee Composition

The Latin American Learning Collaborative will consist of members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring the field is aware of the important role of early intervention as aligned with the Recommended Practices. Committee members will also promote the importance of families participating in EI and families having access to high quality services. Members’ work will reflect the requirement that practitioners are adequately prepared and supported for the important role they carry out in their work. The membership will be made up of DEC members in good standing.  This work is under the umbrella of the DEC Executive Office.

Benefits of Becoming a Committee Member

• Connect with others who share a passion and commitment for the work of early intervention.

• Collaborate with other professional members and partnering committees, communities of practice and organizations to help ensure early interventionist have the skills and knowledge to provide high quality early intervention 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, Spain, other Latin American Countries, and across the globe.

• Grow in your own ability to lead and influence change, advocacy efforts, and growth for a highly effective EI workforce.

• Receive a discount for DEC conference registration.

Committee Member Qualifications and Expectations

• Must be a DEC member in good standing during the time of your volunteer commitment.

• Have experience and/or interest in one or more of the following topics as it relates to early intervention such as providing or receiving early intervention, leading or preparing early interventionist, or partnering with early interventionist on EI teams.

• Willing to serve a two term with one 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).

Example activities to expect from the Committee

• Promote education, awareness, and activities that connect to the DEC mission and priorities, Recommended Practices, and calls to action in the DEC Racial Equity Point of View.

• Develop and/or assist with development of resources to support practitioners, higher education faculty, professional development providers, and program leaders to promote high quality early intervention.

• Disseminate relevant information to support a highly qualified early intervention workforce through DEC’s webpages, webinars, conference presentations, manuscripts, etc.