INCLUSION ECONOMIC COLLABORATION ECEC EARLY CHILDHOOD jointagreements policyregulations servicedelivery layered funding blended braidedfunding Preschool LRE least restrictive environment policy ENVIRONMENTS considerations Economic Collaborations to Promote Preschool Inclusion Inclusion Institute – May 2011

Intended Outcomes Consider the defining features of inclusion (access, participation, and supports) from the DEC/NAEYC joint position statement as a means focusing on potential economic collaboration opportunities in state or community contexts. Examine the national context: what states and communities are doing, salient guidance, and other available resources. Identify opportunities and challenges within community/state contexts. Opportunities to apply information gained. 2

THE DEFINING FEATURES 3

DEC/NAEYC Joint Definition of EC Inclusion Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development and learning to reach their full potential. 4

DEC/NAEYC Defining Features of Inclusion Access Participation Supports Access means providing a wide range of activities and environments for every child by removing physical barriers and offering multiple ways to promote learning and development. 5

DEC/NAEYC Defining Features of Inclusion Access Participation Supports Participation means using a range of instructional approaches to promote engagement in play and learning activities, and a sense of belonging for every child. 6

Access Participation Supports Supports refer to broader aspects of the system such as professional development, incentives for inclusion, and opportunities for communication and collaboration among families and professionals to assure high quality inclusion. 7 DEC NAEYC Defining Features of Inclusion

Current Context = Need for Economic Collaboration Importance of early childhood development Importance of quality early learning opportunities Disparity in access to opportunities Current Economic Climate – Cutbacks in federal and state funding – Increased accountability

9 High Quality Programs Child Development Center or Child Care Program Early Head Start / Head Start Public or Private Preschool/Prekindergarten Public or Private Kindergarten

Working Within and Among Systems 10 partnerships collaboration coordination cooperation Adapted from NCCIC Collaboration FrameworkNCCIC Collaboration Framework RELATIONSHIPS

Working Within and Among Systems 11 Communication and Context Practice Regulation INFLUENCES

Working Within and Among Systems 12 Defining Features Funding StrategiesVariables Considerations for Decision-making

Working Within and Among Systems 13 partnerships collaboration coordination cooperation Defining Features Funding Strategies Variables Communication and Context Practice Regulation

Cooperation/Coordination/Collaboration/Partnership Increase the efficient use of resources Increase coordination Reduce administrative costs and burden Reduce duplication 14

Your Current Context POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS:  Consider who also serves young children and their families? CONSIDERING YOUR CURRENT PRACTICE:  Think about those you communicate with?  What formal and informal communications are part of your work? 15

IDEA Title I Federal Education Federal Health & Human Services Head Start Child Care TANF State Education Funds IDEA Services Private Pay State Pre-K Funds Foundation Funds Classrooms may be funded by Head Start, IDEA, Title I, State Pre-K, Local Funds, Foundations, Private Pay, or combinations of resources. Funding Sources: Supporting Young Children with Disabilities KEY: Solid lines to direct funders; dotted lines to possible funders. Prepared by NECTAC, May 2011 Medicaid & S-Chip High Quality Programs Even Start Local Education Funds IDEA Services and Supports may be provided in preschool classrooms, child care, the home and/or other locations.

Economic Collaboration Strategies Knowledge of Funding Parameters Joint Financing Strategies In-kind Contributions Shared Resources 17

Economic Collaboration Variables Facilities Equipment Materials Transportation Shared roles Joint training Administrative support 18

Unified, Seamless Services = Blended Programs Children are together in a particular program. Funding for each child is specific to eligibility for particular programs and/or services. 19

Braiding Funds Separate categorical funding streams are braided together to support unified, seamless services. 20

Specific to Each Funding Stream: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Age of child, family income, special needs PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Staff qualifications, teacher/child ratio FLOW AND ADMINISTRATION Federal to local, federal to state, subsidies to families, fiscal years 21 Regulations

Legislation Influencing Inclusion Civil rights laws – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973– bans discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of federal funds – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 Amended provides for equal rights to public accommodations 22

Title 34 Part 104 – Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap Handicapped person has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Applies to preschool Comparable facilities 23 Legislation Influencing Inclusion

Entitlement to Services – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides specified services by right to eligible persons with disabilities; reauthorized in 2004 – Head Start Act – amended in

A continuum of alternative placements is available To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are nondisabled Placement decisions are based on the unique needs of each child, by the IEP team Placement determined at least annually, is based on the child's individualized education program (IEP), and be as close as possible to the child's home CFR § IDEA Funding Regulations

Supplementing and Supplanting Special Education funds must be used to supplement and increase the level of federal, state and local funds expended for special education and related services provided to children with disabilities and in no case to supplant those federal, state, and local funds. (34 CFR ) 26

Maintenance of Effort (MOE) LEA’s must spend…..at least the same amount……as the LEA spent for that purpose the (previous year) Excess Cost Funds MAY NOT be used for cost items used by all students Funds MAY be used for – Adapted furniture/equipment, software – Services and aids that benefit students with disabilities in general ed classroom, even if nondisabled students receive incidental benefit 27 IDEA Funding Regulations

THE NATIONAL CONTEXT 28

Utilization of Strategies for Economic Collaboration Survey of 619 Coordinators January 2011 N=19 29 State Level District Level Not at all A little Sometimes Frequently

Collaborative Use of Funds Professional development Placement opportunities Personnel (e.g. teacher, teacher assistant, therapist) Facility space Equipment, materials, or supplies Transportation Playground adaptations/improvements Facility adaptations/improvements 30

Facilitators of Economic Collaboration DISTRICT LEVEL Administrative structures and processes Philosophy and relationships Active collaboration with community partners Ability to share resources 31 STATE LEVEL Interagency collaboration/ coordination of projects and policies Professional development Strategies, policies and requirements for districts

Barriers to Economic Collaboration STATE LEVEL Limited interagency collaboration Limited capacity and access to programs Monitoring, licensing and credentialing Lack of support for early childhood programs DISTRICT LEVEL Philosophy for instructional approach and program design Personnel issues Limited resources and supports 32

YOUR OWN CONTEXT: ACTIVITY 1.What collaborations are currently possible in your context? 2.What are FACILITATORS in within your context? 3.What BARRIERS exist? 4.What might be possible through potential collaborations? 33 Community Programs and Child Care Public OR Private Schools Head Start

34

APPLYING INFORMATION 35

Working Within and Among Systems 36 partnerships collaboration coordination cooperation Defining Features Funding Strategies Variables Communication and Context Practice Regulation

37 1. Read the description of the child. 2. For this example, consider Relationship Influences Considerations for Decision-Making Defining Features of Inclusion

Angel Angel will be 5 years old in the summer. He attends his neighborhood church preschool 2 days a week. His family would like to have attended the same private preschool as his brother and sister. The preschool teacher would like to know how to include Angel in learning activities. Angel has an IEP that includes speech/language services Read the description of the child. 2. For this example, consider Relationship Influences Considerations for Decision-Making Defining Features of Inclusion

Sean Sean is 4 years old. He likes to play with other children. It’s hard for others to understand him. He gets frustrated when he’s not able to get his point across which leads to frequent conflicts (such as, taking toys from others, pushing, or stomping off in an angry way). He is eligible for special education services, including speech/language therapy Read the description of the child. 2. For this example, consider Relationship Influences Considerations for Decision-Making Defining Features of Inclusion

Stacia Stacia will soon be turning 3 years old. Both of her parents work full time. She has been found eligible for special education. She uses a wheelchair. Educational support is needed related to general knowledge and skills Read the description of the child. 2. For this example, consider Relationship Influences Considerations for Decision-Making Defining Features of Inclusion

Jamie Jamie is 3 years old. He has a diagnosis of autism. He shows little interest in playing with other children. He will often repeat what others say. He will stay near other children, and watch what they are doing. He has never attended any early childhood program. His parents have made a referral for special education Read the description of the child. 2. For this example, consider Relationship Influences Considerations for Decision-Making Defining Features of Inclusion

Continuous Improvement What worked well for you about this session? What suggestions do you have for improving this session? What questions do you have? What resources might be helpful to you? 42

Resources National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center National Child Care Information Center The Finance Project DEC-NAEYC Position on Early Childhood Inclusion aeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAE YC_EC_updatedKS.pdf aeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAE YC_EC_updatedKS.pdf Technical Assistance Specialists Katy McCullough Mary Louise Peters 43