Minnesota’s Model to Support Inclusive Care and Education The Center for Inclusive Child Care Minnesota’s Model to Support Inclusive Care and Education Cindy Croft croft@csp.edu Chris Bentley chris@fraser.org Title: The Center for Inclusive Child Care in Minnesota Abstract: The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) is a model program in Minnesota that provides comprehensive resources and technical assistance to early childhood and school age programs for more successful inclusion of children with special needs. The state-funded program will highlight many of its web-based innovations including inclusion consultation using AI-Bot technology, Enhanced Learning Environment including self-study courses and downloadable info modules, and Ask A Consultant features. NECTAC, 2006

The Center for Inclusive Child Care is dedicated to increasing the availability of quality options for families of children with special needs in community-based early childhood and school-age child care settings. www.inclusivechildcare.org Who is in the Audience: (Special Needs Coordinators, Direct Care Providers, Admin) What System? School staff, private center, Family Child Care providers, Please ask questions as we go Use of Acronyms – catch me if I use one that you don’t know. NECTAC, 2006

The Center for Inclusive Child Care is a comprehensive resource network for promoting and supporting inclusive early childhood and school-age programs and providers. This network provides leadership, administrative support, training, and consultation to early care and education providers, school-age care providers, parents, and the professionals who support providers and parents of children with special needs. NECTAC, 2006

CICC Projects and Programming 1. Inclusion Consultation Services 2. Technical Assistance 3. Training: Project EXCEPTIONAL 4. Learning Center Education Portal 5. Web Based Technical Assistance and Resources NECTAC, 2006

1. Inclusion Consultation Consultation services available statewide through grant projects and project funds Consultation can be provided via phone, online or in person Usually short term assistance to set up plans with ongoing follow-up as needed. Consultation can be for program improvement or for specific child program development NECTAC, 2006

Inclusion Consultation Goals for consultation include: Retention of child in a program Program development to assure children with special needs are included (appropriate participation in the program) Assistance to providers concerned about a child’s development New focus on Environmental Rating Scales NECTAC, 2006

2. Technical Assistance On-line or phone consultation, “ASK a Consultant”. Includes support in finding resources, talking through challenging situations, ADA questions Ask “Raoul” feature with basic answers to word searches (ie. Biting) and glossary FAQs: Longer question and answer feature about inclusion situations (i.e. What does it mean if my child is assessed?) Referral to partnering agencies: PACER, ARC, School Districts, CCR&Rs NECTAC, 2006

3. Training Project EXCEPTIONAL Curriculum A Guide to Training and Recruiting Child Care Providers to Serve Young Children with Disabilities School Age Supplemental Children and Challenging Behavior Nurtured Heart Approach First Signs: Red Flags and Referral Sensory Processing Disorder Training of Trainers offered on-line nationally Local cadre of 140 trainers including Hmong, Somali, Spanish language trainers NECTAC, 2006

4. Learning Center Education Portal Info Modules: short powerpoint tutorials on disability topics with quiz feature Enhanced Self-Study Courses: comprehensive, interactive, assessment, CEUs Referral to instructor-led on line teaching programs including MN Eager to Learn NECTAC, 2006

5. Web Site KEY FEATURES: Learning Center Improved Consultation Feature: Raoul FAQs Glossary More products: Curriculum purchase Organized resources on disability topics, training available, finding trainers or consultants, etc. Healthy Child Care Minnesota Resources Trainer and Consultant Registry Learning Centers will be self study training opportunities Products: Products that will support inclusion NECTAC, 2006

The Center for Inclusive Child Care is dedicated to increasing the availability of quality options for families of children with special needs in community-based early childhood and school-age childcare settings in Minnesota. Title: The Center for Inclusive Child Care in Minnesota Abstract: The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) is a model program in Minnesota that provides comprehensive resources and technical assistance to early childhood and school age programs for more successful inclusion of children with special needs. The state-funded program will highlight many of its web-based innovations including inclusion consultation using AI-Bot technology, Enhanced Learning Environment including self-study courses and downloadable info modules, and Ask A Consultant features. NECTAC, 2006