We Inclusion Dawn Paxson, Inclusion Manager

Pamm Shaw, Vice President

Lawreece Edwards, Parent

YMCA of the East Bay, Early Childhood Impact

Agenda

• Who we are

• Goal – to include all children in typical early learning settings

• Overview – laws that support inclusion

• Steps to inclusion

• Transition to preschool

• Role of FRC staff

• Resources

Goal

•To include all children in typical early learning settings

The better programs are able to meet the needs of children with disabilities, the better able they are to meet the needs of allchildren.

-- Whit Hayslip

Overview

• American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

• AB 752 (Preschool Expulsion) 2017

• Head Start/Early Head Start requirements to serve children with disabilities

• Child Care Licensing (medications, ambulatory/non-ambulatory, transition at age 3)

Any Questions, Comments?

Steps to Inclusion

1. Getting started - Finding the right program for your child

2. Identify supports needed

3. Finding partners (RCEB, LEA, other agencies)

4. Roles and responsibilities

5. Transitions

Getting started - Finding the right program for your child

• It’s all about relationships

• Different programs for different children

• Parent choice, need, eligibility for programs (e.g. Head Start, State Preschool)

• Ratios and group sizes

• Costs and supports

Ashley’s Story

Identify supports need

• Specialized services and equipment

• Infants vs. preschoolers

• Family services/navigation

• Plan for the needs of staff/providers and the other children

https://funandfunction.com

Identify Supports Needed

• Linking families to systems - Parent/family driven

• Early Head Start/Head Start enrollment priority

• Resource & Referral Agencies for child care subsidies

Questions, Comments?

Lea’s Story

Finding Partners

• RCEB, LEA, other agencies

• Extended family, friends

• Health care providers

• Social service agencies

• Parks and rec, YMCA’s

• Think outside the box – be creative

Roles and responsibilities

• Identify point person

• Ongoing coordination

• Alleviate fears for parents and staff

• Provide information and support

Transitions

• Starting over – again…

• Finding the right preschool/child care

• Anticipating changes in services

• Working with school districts

• Transportation

• To/from child care to specialized services

Karter’s Story

Questions, Comments?

How FRCs Can Support Families…

• Parents need to take the lead

• Model for the parents

• Know the laws

• Help parent accessing systems and supports – including child care

We must support one another in improving our ability to care for all children

Meet, reflect, plan and work together.No one can do it alone!

All of Us Together

Resources

• https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/expulsion_suspension_final.pdf

• https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/policy/45-cfr-chap-xiii/1302-17-suspension-expulsion

• https://edsource.org/2017/california-moves-to-curtail-expelling-children-from-preschool-yes-preschool/590035

• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB752

• https://edsource.org/2017/california-moves-to-curtail-expelling-children-from-preschool-yes-preschool/590035

Resources

• http://childcarelaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Know-the-Law-About-Giving-Medications-to-Children-in-Licensed-Child-Care-in-California.pdf

• http://childcarelaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Know-the-Law-About-The-Americans-with-Disabilities-Act-and-Child-Care.pdf

• http://childcarelaw.org/who-we-serve/parents/

• https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/children-disabilities

Contact Information

Dawn Paxson, Inclusion Manager

Dpaxson@ymcacba.org

Pamm Shaw, Vice President

pshaw@ymcacba.org

YMCA of the East Bay

Early Childhood Impact

2009 Tenth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710