Month: September 2016

Join in Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Baby IDEA

September 28, 2016

Colleagues, This October marks the 30th Anniversary of the passage of Public Law 99-457, which established Part C and mandated Part B, Section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As key partners in improving results and upholding the rights of infants, toddlers, and preschool children requiring early intervention and special education services, OSEP invites you to join in celebrating this important occasion! Throughout the week of October 3-7, 2016, OSEP will run a campaign showcasing many perspectives from the field, including researchers, families, practitioners, and even individuals who participated in early childhood services through Part C and … Continue reading


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It’s Flu Season – CDC update and guidance

September 19, 2016

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance for the 2016 flu season. This season’s vaccines have been updated to better match more recently circulating influenza viruses. CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months or older receive an influenza vaccine every year, by the end of October if possible. However, CDC continues to recommend that influenza vaccination efforts continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating in the community. Significant seasonal influenza virus activity can continue into May, so vaccination later in the season can still provide benefit during most seasons. One big change for the … Continue reading


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Rave Reviews for the Provider Support Team and Birth to Three Providers!

September 8, 2016

  National experts, Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden, have applauded the strides Connecticut has made in increasing knowledge and implementation of best practice in Early Intervention. Rush and Shelden have been providing annual training and technical assistance to support Connecticut’s Activity-based teaming practices. The Birth to Three Provider Support Team has been providing training and technical assistance to enhance their work.  Some of Dathan and M’Lisa’s comments on what they are seeing: “It’s clear that you have been doing A LOT of work to move practices forward in CT” “It’s the first time EVER on the first call that all … Continue reading


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Evaluations and Screenings – OSEP’s View

September 7, 2016

A  policy letter was recently issued from the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education to a parent that clarifies screenings, multidisciplinary evaluations and eligibility. For the details on who, what, when and how, click here.


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A Doctor’s View on Supporting Families

September 7, 2016

Does this sound familiar??  Families do not always agree with research-based recommendations.  We do our best to reach common ground and move forward together. Physicians Struggle with Ethics of Barring Families who do not follow immunization schedule “We as pediatricians do so much more than immunize…We teach, we advocate, we role model, and even when parents say no to immunization the first 10 times we bring it up, we bring it up an 11th and 12th time.” Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD* and Thomas A. Lacy, MD** say the small risk to vulnerable [immune-compromised] children is outweighed by the benefits families get from … Continue reading


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The Faces of Birth to Three

September 1, 2016

Whose faces do you picture when you think of “Birth to Three families”?    😛  😯    😆 I’m asking for your help with collecting photos of real people who receive early intervention supports.  Please ask a few families of your choice to send me one or more photos that tell their story.  If their photo is selected, I will ask for their consent to use it  for Public Awareness purposes, including the FY16 annual report to the Governor and legislature. Preferred photos:  child with family member(s), activity based, good lighting and clarity of images, high-resolution digital preferred      NO professional portraits please Send photo files/prints to: eileen.mcmurrer@ct.gov with “Faces of B23” in the subject … Continue reading


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