Purpose:

To gather early childhood providers and leaders to work collaboratively with START to explore and discuss systems and practices that support early childhood programs to utilize evidence-based approaches and promote inclusive opportunities for young children with higher support needs. 

START Contacts:

Amy Matthews 

Criteria for Participation:

• Currently in a role that involves working directly with early childhood education programs that include children with higher support needs.
• Willingness to actively contribute to the CoP priorities through participation in meetings and sharing ideas, resources, materials, and practices that align with best practice.
• Willingness to engage in a reasonable number of tasks outside of the CoP meetings, such as gathering resources, reviewing materials, or meeting with a small group.

Current Priorities:

• Identify and discuss local, state, and national initiatives and priorities focused on assessment, curriculum, coaching, education, and service delivery and how they are being implemented across various types of early childhood programs across the state. 
• Identify ways of working together to strengthen all programs supporting young children with higher support needs. 
• Gather resources to share amongst the group and broadly through START communication tools. 
• Provide input on the START early childhood professional learning opportunities and a potential EPLI initiative for early childhood.