Author: leop
Transition Policy Available for Public Comment
April 1, 2021
NOTICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, COMMENTS, AND HEARINGS – Posted April 1, 2021 The draft policy available here TransitionPolicy-DRAFT-1Apr2021 is being proposed as an addition to the Birth to Three Transition Policy currently on file with the US Department of Education. The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) as the lead agency for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C “Birth to Three”, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, proposes to extend the definition of “Eligible Children” in Connecticut General Statute (CGS) §17a-248, Definitions (4), as well as §§38a-490a and 38a-516a. This policy changes the maximum age … Continue reading
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If you don’t know about Charting the LifeCourse, now is a great time!
December 16, 2020
Building a great life starts early. If you get the CSDE Bureau Bulletin you will have seen that the Bureau of Special Education, in collaboration with the RESC Alliance, is offering several FREE, virtual sessions of Person-Centered Planning: LifeCourse Planning Tools. As you know Charting the LifeCourse, a universally-designed person-centered planning framework, is a tool to assist individuals and families of all abilities and ages to develop a vision of a good life. Participants in this session will understand the importance of person-centered/futures planning, become familiar with the LifeCourse tools, and how to use them to support the development of the … Continue reading
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Welcome Elisabeth Teller to the OEC B23 team!
October 26, 2020
The OEC lead agency team is building back up to be able to fully support our 19 EIS programs. Elisabeth comes on board from Sarah, Inc.-KIDSTEPS where she served as the Director of Children’s Services, and the B23 program director for 16 years. Before that she was a developmental therapist at the STAR Rubino Center. It has been a long few years for Part C in Connecticut starting with the massive change to a fee for service system, then moving to a new lead agency (and a few new commissioners), then the RFP and related transitions and of course now … Continue reading
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BAGL Webinar series
September 30, 2020
Here is a link for the first webinar in a new series: “Building a Great Life in Our Schools and Communities” Friday, October 23, 2020 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Via Zoom (link provided once registered) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-a-great-life-in-our-schools-and-communities-tickets-123017613995 The University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities are pleased to announce the first in our Building a Great Life webinar series for famlies, advocates, providers and members of our communities Presented by Dr. Erik Carter, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, his research and teaching focuses on evidence-based strategies for supporting access to the general … Continue reading
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Help Promote Birth to Three on Social Media!
June 9, 2020
Did you notice the new banner on our Mail Chimp weekly email summary? (Are you getting our weekly summary emails on Tuesdays at noon?) We are fortunate to be supported by the OEC on a number of public awareness efforts like that. Have you seen all the social media posts about Birth to Three being open for referrals and that evaluations are free like the sample below? We are working to help families and referral sources to understand that they should not wait if they have concerns about the development of an infant or toddler during the COVID-19 PHE. Look … Continue reading
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Una visita en el hogar con la familia de Liam
June 4, 2020
We are very pleased to share another wonderful video. This one is in Spanish with English sub-titles. In Una visita en el hogar con la familia de Liam (A Home Visit with Liam’s Family), Ohio occupational therapist Marta Gonzalez delivers an early intervention home visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video illustrates how home visits delivered through video conferencing can continue to support children and their families when in-person visits are not possible. The story is shared through insightful observations offered by Marta and Liam’s mother, Yinna. You can watch it on ECTA’s “Provider and Educator Use of Technology” page: Here is … Continue reading
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Vision Screening Tools for Children From Birth to Age 3
May 29, 2020
The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness and School Health Corporation is hosting a webinar on June 4, 2020, 3:00 – 4:30 pm EST about vision screening tools for children aged birth to 3 years, as well as resources to support parent education about children’s vision and accessing eye care. They will also discuss: The impact of uncorrected vision disorders on a child’s development, behavior, and learning 18 vision development milestones that occur in the first year of life Vision screening tools for children ages birth to 3 years Free resources for parents/caregivers to support … Continue reading
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Have you seen the Remote EI Videos?!
May 5, 2020
Here is the link to ECTA’s “Provider Use of Technology” webpage: https://ectacenter.org/topics/disaster/ti-service.asp When you scroll down you’ll see a series of video’s by Larry Edelman including these three. A Home Visit with Ares’ Family. Ohio speech-language pathologist Lindsay Miketa delivers an early intervention home visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video illustrates the experience of a family new to early intervention that has only received home visits via video conferencing. The story is accompanied by insightful observations offered by Lindsay and Ares’ parents, Jacqueline and Daniel. A Home Visit with Sam’s Family. This video illustrates an early intervention home visit … Continue reading
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ECI Over 3!
May 4, 2020
Did you know that the combination of supports under the IDEA from Birth to Kindergarten is referred to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)? Connecticut is very fortunate to have a nimble state government that puts the needs of families first. Two weeks ago Executive Order 7 DD authorized the Joint OEC/ CSDE Memo #19 implementing supports for families with children who are eligible for Part C who turn three during the COVID-19 PHE. When a school district can’t determine eligibility for Part B due to school closures, Birth to Three can continue to provide Early Intervention Services (EIS). The specifics are … Continue reading
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A Full Remote EI Visit Video from Iowa
April 20, 2020
This is from our colleague and friend Larry Edelman and our friends in Iowa. They use a different approach but it is interesting to see what others are doing! Hi Friends, I am very pleased to let you know of this brand new video! It’s a bit long, so you might want to make some popcorn! The video, An Illustration of Using the SS-OO-PP-RR Framework to Guide Home Visiting, illustrates an entire home visit delivered by Iowa early interventionist Jenny Seuntjens via video conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic, with very little taken out. Running at around forty minutes, the video … Continue reading
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WEBINAR: AUCD – Step Up Assistive Technology to Promote Early Literacy Tuesday, March 24, 2020 @ 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. ET
March 16, 2020
Step Up Assistive Technology to Promote Early Literacy Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET Webinar Description: Join Michelle Schladant, PhD, ATP for a discussion on the importance of assistive technology (AT) for early literacy development. Dr. Schladant will provide an overview of the use of AT in early childhood, the current best practices as well as where we are headed in the field. She will explain the current IDEA policies related to AT at the level of state programs and school districts and highlight the tools and resources available to families. Dr. Schladant will share about … Continue reading
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Draft Part C Application Available for Comment
February 28, 2020
Each year Connecticut submits an application to the US Department of Education (ED) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for about $4M in funding to support the administration of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part C). Here is a link to the draft FFY20 Part C Application. Written comment on the draft application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020. Comments should be sent to the attention of Alice E. Ridgway, by mail at the Office of Early Childhood, 450 Columbus Boulevard Suite #205, Hartford, CT, 06103-1835; by Fax 860-622-2789 or … Continue reading
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Building a Great Life Conference Registration Open!
February 19, 2020
Here is a link to the flyer about the BAGL Conference Registration. Please share this with EIS providers and Families or forward this to them with the registration link below! A Conference for Self-Advocates, Family Members and Providers Tuesday, April 7, 2020 8:00am – 4:00pm Farmington Marriott Hotel,15 Farm Springs Road, Farmington CT Register for this conference at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-means-all-building-a-great-life-for-everyone-in-our-communities-tickets-94853753129 National and State Speakers Keynotes, Presentations, and Workshops on many topics. Limited to the first 350 registrants. There is no cost and lunch is included.
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WEBINAR: Behavior Basics-Laying the Groundwork for Positive Change March 24, 2020 11:30am-12:30pm
February 5, 2020
Title: Behavior Basics: Laying the Groundwork for Positive Change Event Website: https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/61143 Description: Professionals working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are likely to encounter challenging behavior. This webinar will provide a review of the ABCs of behavior (antecedent, behavior, consequence) as well as help professionals identify the function of behavior. Dr. Hardy will explain the ways in which multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) can be utilized to manage challenging behavior for all children, but especially children with disabilities or who have experienced trauma. The use of tally sheets, forms, and checklists to inform decisions that support positive behavior and sustain … Continue reading
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The Arc Connecticut Presents: Life Advocacy – Who will advocate for my loved one with intellectual & developmental disabilities (I/DD) when I am no longer able? Various Dates & Locations Jan. 23 – Mar. 4, 2020
January 16, 2020
Life Advocacy Who will advocate for my loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) when I am no longer able? In response to these concerns The Arc Connecticut has been working with a group of families to establish an organization that would assist people with I/DD with (1) independent ad-vocacy for services and supports; (2) benefits education and management; (3) quality oversight when parents, siblings and caregivers are no longer able to be part of an individual’s support group. These services would be paid for by family resources in the absence of waiver or other Medicaid fund-ing. At this … Continue reading
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Training Course-Torticollis and Plagiocephaly: Assessment and Treatment of Infants and Children Impact on the Movement System of Infants and Beyond April 3 & April 4, 2020
January 3, 2020
Torticollis and Plagiocephaly: Assessment and Treatment of Infants and Children Impact on the Movement System of Infants and Beyond Cindy Miles, April 3-4, 2020 South Shore Hospital Weymouth, MA Download Brochure REGISTER This dynamic course provides participants with the knowledge to effectively assess and treat children with torticollis. Learn effective strategies including designing home exercise programs, infant positioning, manual techniques, and taping to understanding helmet criteria, head asymmetries, surgeries, and associated diagnosis. Click HERE to register or for complete course details including CEU information.
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Training Course-Infants Born Preterm: Identifying and Addressing Their Special Needs in Early Infancy March 27 & 28, 2020 @ Danbury Hospital
January 2, 2020
Jan McElroy, PCS, PhD, PT March 27-28, 2020 Danbury Hospital Danbury, CT Download Brochure REGISTER Practitioners will refine treatment skills of infants born preterm through effective facilitation techniques to be used during functional activities. Labs will guide treatment training that can be used in clinics and early intervention. Click HERE to register or for complete course details including CEU information.
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Baby Beats and Breaths: Therapeutic Interventions for the Premature Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise Valhalla, NY
January 2, 2020
March 27-28, 2020 Blythedale Children’s Hospital Valhalla, NY REGISTER This dynamic intermediate-advanced course will elucidate the cardiopulmonary implications for the premature or medically-complex infant as related to physiological stability, evolving motor control, sensory stability, and transition to oral motor skills that support feeding. Participants will learn to facilitate the infant’s ability to cough, produce audible phonation, develop oral motor skills, and improve swallowing skills, as well as gestation-age appropriate positioning and handling to support gross motor skills required for postural stability. Click HERE to register for this course and additional details.
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Continuing Education Course-Motor Issues in Autism March 27 & March 28, 2020 New Brunswick, NJ
January 2, 2020
Motor Issues in Autism March 27-March 28, 2020 Children’s Specialized Hospital New Brunswick, NJ Download Brochure REGISTER
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Conference-ALL Means ALL: Building a Great Life for Everyone in our Communities April 7, 2020
December 31, 2019
SAVE THE DATE Watch for registration information in February 2020! ALL Means ALL: Building a Great Life for Everyone in our Communities: A Conference for Self-Advocates, Parents, Caregivers, Siblings and Providers Tuesday, April 7, 2020 Red Lion Hotel, Cromwell, CT Keynote Speakers: Dr. Erik Carter, Professor of Special Education, Vanderbilt University Ricky and Donna Thornton, Self-Advocates, Maryland This conference will include workshops on a variety of topics. Registration is limited to the first 250 registrants. There is no cost for this conference and lunch is included. watch for registration information in February, 2020.
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