Quest for Inclusion

Welcome and introductions Welcome and introductions SpecialQuest history SpecialQuest history SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library Collaborative Partnerships to Enhance Services for Children with Disabilities and their Families

NM Head Start Collaboration Office NM Head Start Collaboration Office NM Public Education Department, Special Education Bureau NM Public Education Department, Special Education Bureau NM Department of Health, Family Infant Toddler Program NM Department of Health, Family Infant Toddler Program NM Children, Youth and Families Department, Office of Child Development NM Children, Youth and Families Department, Office of Child Development NM Early Childhood Higher Education Task Force NM Early Childhood Higher Education Task Force UNM/Center for Development and Disability UNM/Center for Development and Disability Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS) Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS) NM SpecialQuest Community Graduates: Alamo Navajo Early Childhood Center and La Clinica de Familia Early Head Start NM SpecialQuest Community Graduates: Alamo Navajo Early Childhood Center and La Clinica de Familia Early Head Start Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) NM Association for the Education of Young Children NM Association for the Education of Young Children NM Governor's Commission on Disability NM Governor's Commission on Disability NM School for the Blind and Visually Impaired NM School for the Blind and Visually Impaired NM School for the Deaf NM School for the Deaf NM State Leadership Team Partners

All families of young children (birth through five) receive quality supports, services, and systems of care that are accessible to all groups, respectful of individual and family choice, child and family centered, culturally competent and within community-based systems, which work together to enhance positive outcomes for families and children in New Mexico. All families of young children (birth through five) receive quality supports, services, and systems of care that are accessible to all groups, respectful of individual and family choice, child and family centered, culturally competent and within community-based systems, which work together to enhance positive outcomes for families and children in New Mexico. NM SpecialQuest Vision

Crosswalk regulations Crosswalk regulations RFP requiring inclusive practices RFP requiring inclusive practices Clarify responsibilities on Indian land Clarify responsibilities on Indian land SpecialQuest in Governor’s initiatives SpecialQuest in Governor’s initiatives Working Together to Impact Policy & Funding

Inventory NM resources on inclusion Inventory NM resources on inclusion Brochure Brochure Develop & provide training at local, state & national levels Develop & provide training at local, state & national levels Working Together to Coordinate Training on Inclusion

La Clínica de Familia SpecialQuest Team

SpecialQuest Birth-Five Community Team Meeting August 5, 2008 The following agencies were represented: La Clínica de Familia Early Head Start La Clínica de Familia Early Head Start Tresco TOTS Tresco TOTS Aprendamos Intervention Team Aprendamos Intervention Team MECA Therapies LLC MECA Therapies LLC Dona Ana County Head Start Dona Ana County Head Start HELP New Mexico, Inc. HELP New Mexico, Inc. Las Cruces Public Schools Head Start Las Cruces Public Schools Head Start Las Cruces Public Schools DD Pre-School Las Cruces Public Schools DD Pre-School SpecialQuest Graduate SpecialQuest Graduate Judi Lujan Parents Reaching Out Parents Reaching Out La Vida Institute La Vida Institute La Clínica de Familia Healthy Start La Clínica de Familia Healthy Start

OVERVIEW OF “COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF INCLUSIVE PRACTICES”  Including Children Birth-Five with Disabilities,  Involving Families of Young Children with Disabilities,  Providing Integrated Services to Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Disabilities, and  Supporting Implementation and Sustainability.

Phase 1 Strengths as a Community Value families as partners and decision makers Value families as partners and decision makers Transition Teams in place Transition Teams in place Agencies working together toward a common goal Agencies working together toward a common goal

Phase 1 “Cause to Pause” Team recognized the need for a unified effort to increase inclusive practices in our community. Team recognized the need for a unified effort to increase inclusive practices in our community. Team recognized the need to formalize a community plan within Dona Ana County. Team recognized the need to formalize a community plan within Dona Ana County. Team recognized the need to involve key players in Dona Ana County. Team recognized the need to involve key players in Dona Ana County.

SpecialQuest Birth-Five Las Cruces Community Team Meeting November 18, 2008

Action Plan Ideas Create a Vision Statement Create a Vision Statement Learn more about each other’s programs Learn more about each other’s programs Learn more about SpecialQuest resources Learn more about SpecialQuest resources Strengthen our SpecialQuest team Strengthen our SpecialQuest team Collaborate for future funding/grant opportunities Collaborate for future funding/grant opportunities

Action Plan Ideas Increase participation on SpecialQuest team: Families Families New Mexico State University Professors New Mexico State University Professors Gadsden Independent School District Gadsden Independent School District Hatch Municipal Schools Hatch Municipal Schools

Action Plan Ideas Action Plan Ideas Enhance Collaboration: Training on Inclusive practices Training on Inclusive practices Training on Early Childhood topics Training on Early Childhood topics Shared list serve for SpecialQuest Community Team Shared list serve for SpecialQuest Community Team

Vision Statement All children in Doña Ana County, age birth to five, have access to inclusive educational and social environments. Our mission is to establish meaningful partnerships to enhance and integrate systems with access to a broad range of services. Our mission is to establish meaningful partnerships to enhance and integrate systems with access to a broad range of services.

Creating Bright Futures

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How did they identify partners and build relationships? How did they identify partners and build relationships? What strategies did they use to gather & share information? What strategies did they use to gather & share information? How did they work together to develop & coordinate plans? How did they work together to develop & coordinate plans? How did they implement plans? How did they implement plans? Guided Viewing: In Concert

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What Can You Do to Support Inclusive Practices? Together We’re Better! Join the QUEST!