Strengthening Recruitment and Retention in EI/ECSE Workforce

DEC, in collaboration with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), invites you to join us for a 5-session workforce webinar taking place August through October 2026. 

This 5-session webinar series provides state and local leaders with practical, evidence-based strategies to effectively recruit, retain, and sustain a strong workforce in early childhood education, early intervention, and early childhood special education. Drawing on resources from the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, participants will explore key areas of recruitment and retention strategies, including:

• Compensation and incentives

• "Grow Your Own" pathways

• Supportive work environments

• Leadership and advancement opportunities

• Ongoing professional learning

• Public awareness

The sessions will feature real-world examples and interactive planning activities. Each session is designed to help teams translate national guidance into actionable, data-informed workforce solutions. Register here to attend.

Session 1: Overview of the Current Workforce Landscape August 11, 2026, 3:00–4:30 PM EDT

Session 2: Attracting the Workforce August 25, 2026, 3:00–4:30 PM EDT

Session 3: Building the Pathways September 9, 2026, 2:30–4:00 PM EDT

Session 4: Retaining the Workforce September 22, 2026, 3:00–4:30 PM EDT

Session 5: Sustaining and Advancing the Workforce October 13, 2026, 3:00–4:30 PM EDT

Register to Attend

The ECTA Center is a program of the FPG Child Development Institute of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, funded through cooperative agreement number H326P220002 from the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the Department of Education's position or policy. Project Officer: Julia Martin Eile