Publications By Most Recent Date

Essential Elements of High Performing, High Quality Part C Systems

Lucas, A., Hurth, J. & Kasprzak, C.

NECTAC was asked to identify essential elements for supporting high performance and provision of high quality early intervention Part C services as determined by the Annual Performance Review (APR) required under IDEA. To respond, NECTAC interviewed one state and conducted a focus group with four other states that have consistently met requirements on the APR indicators and are maintaining effective, efficient practices. Additionally, the NECTAC review of states’ APR early childhood indicators and technical assistance experience also helped inform the identification of commonalities across states that could be considered essential elements of a high performing Part C system

NECTAC Notes, No. 25, (2010), 4 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes25.pdf

(PDF: 756kb)

NECTAC TA Collaborations

Diefendorf, M.

This paper highlights several current collaborative activities of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC). There are many specific examples of TA collaborations that take place on a regular basis; the seven examples presented here were selected to represent different types of collaboration. The descriptions were developed for the OSEP/OESE Leveraging Resources Meeting, Washington, DC, April 13-14, 2010 and were included in handouts at the Improving Early Learning Workgroup sessions at that meeting.

NECTAC, (May 2010), 8 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_ta_collaborations.pdf

(PDF: 244kb)

Evaluation Highlights: Client Feedback March 2009 - March 2010

Prepared by NECTAC

The NECTAC Evaluation Unit collects and analyzes data to describe the quantity and nature of the technical assistance services provided by NECTAC staff. The Unit evaluates the quality and relevance of NECTAC services and products and whether TA recipients use the information and resources gained to improve state and local systems and services. In addition, in February 2010, a national survey was conducted by an independent external evaluator with all primary clients (Part C and Section 619 Coordinators from all states and jurisdictions) regardless of their level of participation in NECTAC TA. The highlights included in this report include data from both internal and external evaluation efforts from March 2009 to March 2010.

NECTAC, (April 2010), 4 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_highlights_2010.pdf

(PDF: 722kb)

Expanding Opportunities: An Interagency Inclusion Initiative

Prepared by NECTAC

Research has shown that both young children with disabilities and their peers benefit from participating together in quality programs and community activities. However, inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities are often not systematic, comprehensive or necessarily of high quality. Four federal agency partners recognized the need to promote collaborative efforts in states that would result in high quality inclusive opportunities for all children and families. They created the Expanding Opportunities Initiative and supported it through the coordinated efforts of their technical assistance (TA) resources. This interagency inclusion initiative began in 2005 and has continued to be supported by the federal partners each year.

NECTAC, (March 2010), 2 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_expopps.pdf

(PDF: 340kb)

Evaluating SPP/APR Improvement Activities

Prepared for the OSEP Systems and Improvement Planning Priority Team by NECTAC and the RRC Program

This document is intended to assist State Education Agency (SEA) and Lead Agency (LA) staff and technical assistance providers in designing a meaningful evaluation for the State Performance Plan (SPP)/Annual Performance Report (APR) improvement activities. It provides 1) information about the relevance of evaluation in the context of improvement planning and strategic systems thinking; 2) guidance on selecting an appropriate design for evaluating different types of improvement activities and; 3) additional resources and tools that support the overall design, implementation and evaluation of the SPP which may serve as a State's blueprint for systems improvement.

NECTAC, (2009), 13 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/evaluatingsppapractivities.pdf

(PDF: 190kb)

Evaluation Highlights: Client Feedback September 2006 - October 2009

Prepared by NECTAC

The NECTAC Evaluation Unit collects and analyzes data to describe the quantity and nature of the technical assistance services provided by NECTAC staff. The Unit determines the quality and relevance of NECTAC services and products and whether clients use NECTAC Technical Assistance (TA) to improve state and local systems and services. An external evaluation was conducted with all primary clients (Part C and Section 619 Coordinators from all states and jurisdictions) regardless of their level of participation in NECTAC TA. The highlights included in this report include data from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2009.

NECTAC, (December 2009), 4 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_highlights_report.pdf

(PDF: 320kb)

Queries: Screening and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Shaw, E. & Hatton, D. (Eds.).

In response to interest from the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC-ASD), NECTAC queried state Part C and Section 619 coordinators regarding screening measures, diagnostic instruments and procedures, and trends in identifying young children with ASD under the age of five years. NECTAC collaborated with the NPDC-ASD to develop and refine a series of questions and then to conduct an on-line survey during a two week period in November 2008. The survey was opened again in August 2009 to allow responses from additional states. Individual states are not identified in this report.

NECTAC. (2009). 7 pp.

Available from: Online at http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/queries/queries_asdscreening.pdf

(PDF: 896kb)

NECTAC Technical Assistance Model for Long-Term Systems Change

Kahn, L., Hurth, J., Diefendorf, M., Kasprzak, C., Lucas, A., & Ringwalt, S.

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) was charged by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) from 2001-2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance that would result in sustainable systems change in state Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education programs served under the early childhood provisions of IDEA. Even with the individualized nature of the systems change work with states, and with the variation across plans on a number of dimensions, NECTAC was able to determine the most effective strategies relating to the development and implementation processes for producing better results. The most important lessons learned are incorporated into the description of the model in this paper and can be applied to future technical assistance with states on system change initiatives.

NECTAC, (June 2009), 26 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/tamodel.pdf

(PDF: 792kb)

Thinking Points: A Synthesis of Ideas About the Change Process (Topics: An occasional paper on the literature and practice of Technical Assistance)

Hurth, J. & Goode, S. (Eds.)

This series, Topics in TA, is being produced by NECTAC staff to share with our colleagues and others who are interested in the research on and practice of technical assistance. We will address various topics drawing from relevant literature and our experience in providing technical assistance. The impetus for this series is in large part to honor our late director, Pascal 'Pat' Trohanis, who guided and inspired us for 35 years. Pat was a consummate collaborator and greatly enjoyed sharing with and learning from our TA colleagues in and outside of the OSEP-funded TA & Dissemination network. This first paper is one he originally prepared to share with that network and concerns systemic changes in service systems. We welcome your comments on this paper and the series.

NECTAC, (2009), 4pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/tatopics/topics_thinkingpoints.pdf

(PDF: 830kb)

The evolution of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Gallagher, J. J., Danaher, J. C., & Clifford, R. M.

This review traces the evolution from 1971 to the present of a national technical assistance (TA) program to support the creation, expansion, and improvement of services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs. From its beginning as a TA resource for demonstration projects, to linking outreach projects' expertise with state efforts to expand services, to supporting national constituencies across the research, development, and policy communities, to promoting program improvement and accountability for results, the OSEP-funded national early childhood TA center has been an important piece of a comprehensive infrastructure for early childhood special education. Through its collaboration with other agencies' early childhood TA programs, the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center is committed to influencing the development of an infrastructure for early childhood to better serve all of our children.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(1), 7-23. doi: 10.1177/0271121408330931

Available from: Sage Journals Online at http://tec.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/7

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Model for Long-Term Systems Change

Kahn, L., Hurth, J., Kasprzak, C. M., Diefendorf, M. J., Goode, S. E., & Ringwalt, S. S.

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center was charged by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs from October 2001 through September 2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance (TA) that would result in sustainable systems change in state early intervention and preschool special education programs served under the early childhood provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Both process and summative evaluations were conducted over the 5-year contract period. The TA Model for Long-Term Systems Change was found to result in improvements in state and local infrastructures, personnel development systems, practices, and outcomes for children and families. The resulting model is a legacy that Pat Trohanis leaves to the field of technical assistance.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(1), 24-39. doi: 10.1177/0271121409334039

Available from: Sage Journals Online at http://tec.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/24

Section 619 Profile (16th Edition)

Lazara, A., Danaher, J., Kraus, R., & Goode, S. (Eds.)

The 2008-09 edition of this publication updates information provided by state coordinators on state policies, programs, and practices under the Preschool Grants Program (Section 619 of Part B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Information includes: program administration, funding, interagency coordination, personnel, transition, monitoring, use of IEPs/ IFSPs, family-centered services, standards and outcomes, pre-kindergarten initiatives, initiatives for special populations, and services in least restrictive environments (LRE). The volume also includes a compilation of information on the Section 619 program from other sources: federal and state policies, data from www.ideadata.org, state training and TA systems, data on changes in children served by the program, and contact information for state and jurisdictional program coordinators.
Previous editions of the Section 619 Profile are available as well:

Current Edition: 16th Edition (2008-2009) (PDF: 3,385kb)
15th Edition (2007) (PDF: 4,429kb)
14th Edition (2006) (PDF: 3,173kb)
13th Edition (2005) (PDF: 1,077kb)
12th Edition (2003) (PDF: 5,332kb)
11th Edition (2002) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED474692; (PDF: 4,124kb)

NECTAC, (2009), 246 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $15.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/sec619_2008-09.pdf

(PDF: 3.385kb)

Developmental Screening and Assessment Instruments with an Emphasis on Social and Emotional Development for Young Children Ages Birth through Five

Ringwalt, S.

The screening instruments included focus on the social-emotional developmental domain as well as those that address multiple developmental domains. The screening instruments are further sub-divided into those which must be administered by professionals and those that may be completed by family members or other caregivers. A list of social-emotional assessment instruments that must be administered by professionals is also provided. The information for each instrument includes a description, the age range for which the instrument was validated, the time to administer, the scoring procedure, psychometric properties, and requirements for administrators, and a link to, or address for, the publisher or source of more information.

NECTAC, (2008), 20 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/screening.pdf

(PDF: 950kb)

Part C Updates: 10th in a Series of Updates on Selected Aspects of the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, (Part C) of IDEA

Goode, S., Lazara, A., & Danaher, J. (Eds.)

Contains information about Part C program administration, including funding and contacts at the federal and state level. It also contains information on: states' Part C rules, regulations and policies; OSEP policy letters; referral to Part C of vulnerable/maltreated young children; personnel competence and qualifications; services for very young children with autism; and early identification of infants and toddlers eligible for early intervention. The volume concludes with data tables for Part C: child count, settings, exiting, services, and personnel; and, the full text of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.
Previous Editions of the Part C Updates are available as well:

Current Edition: 10th Edition (2008) (PDF: 4,000kb)
9th Edition (2007) (PDF: 4,765kb)
8th Edition (2006) (PDF: 3,507kb)
7th Edition (2005) (PDF: 3,023kb)
6th Edition (2004) (PDF: 21,784kb)
5th Edition (2003) (PDF: 12,989kb)
4th Edition (2002) via ERIC, ERIC no. ED474693; (PDF: 5,330kb)

NECTAC, (2008), 164 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $15.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/partcupdate2008.pdf

(PDF: 4000kb)

Queries: Personnel Certification and Specialized Service Providers for ASD

Danaher, J., Shaw, E., & Lazara, A. (Eds.).

In response to states’ interest, NECTAC queried Part C and Section 619 Coordinators regarding certification or endorsements for personnel working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how states provide services for children diagnosed with ASD.

NECTAC, (2008), 5pp.

Available from: Online at http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/queries/queries_asd.pdf

(PDF: 887kb)

Fact Sheet: Vulnerable Young Children

Shaw, E. and Goode, S.

This fact sheet provides data on infants, toddlers and young children who are experiencing high stress as a result of a number of risk factors specifically identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), including substantiated abuse or neglect, foster care placement, homelessness, exposure to family violence and prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol. It should be noted that these risk factors often co-occur with other serious risk factors, such as extreme poverty, environmental toxins, parental substance abuse (post-natally) and parental mental health problems, especially maternal depression.

NECTAC, (2008), 7 pp.

Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/factsheet_vulnerable.pdf

(PDF: 253kb)

Compilation of Projects Addressing the Early Childhood Provisions of IDEA - FY 2006

This compilation includes discretionary projects supported by the Office of Special Education Programs Under IDEA for FY 2006. Note that project information is available online using the NECTAC Projects Finder.
Previous editions of the Compilation of Projects are available as well:

Current Edition: FY 2006 (2007) (PDF: 1,393kb)
FY 2005 (2006) (PDF: 2,975kb)
FY 2004 (2005) (PDF: 1,553kb)
FY 2003 (2004) (PDF: 980kb)
FY 2002 (2003) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED473402; (PDF: 4,811kb)
FY 2001 (2002) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED471878; (PDF: 4,642kb)

NECTAC & NICHCY, (2007), 362 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $10.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/2007eccompilation.pdf

(PDF: 1,393kb)

Eligibility Policies and Practices for Young Children Under Part B of IDEA

Danaher, J.

This document analyzes states' definition of developmental delay and summarizes the state eligibility classifications and criteria under Part B of IDEA.

NECTAC Notes, No. 24, (2007), 20 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes24.pdf

(PDF: 190kb)

A Framework for Developing and Sustaining a Part C Finance System

Greer, M., Taylor, A., & Mackey Andrews, S. D.

This paper summarizes the fiscal challenges that this legislation presents and proposes a framework for analyzing, adjusting, and maintaining a flexible and self-regulating finance system to support Part C early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families. The framework design features four phases of work to help agencies understand the issues and make informed decisions for on-going development and support of a Part C finance system.

NECTAC Notes, No. 23, (2007), 10 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes23.pdf

(PDF: 158kb)

To Fee or Not to Fee: That is the Question!

Mackey Andrews, S. D. & Taylor, A.

This paper summarizes the current financing difficulties faced by state and local Part C agencies, and it examines in closer detail aspects and implications of Family Cost Participation, under which some family resources may be accessed to distribute the cost of intervention services provided to the client family.

NECTAC Notes, No. 22, (2007), 16 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes22.pdf

(PDF: 177kb)

State and Jurisdictional Eligibility Definitions for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities Under IDEA

Shackelford, J.

Analyzes states' Part C definitions of developmental delay, established conditions, and biological and environmental risk categories. A chart lists definitions and identifies states serving at-risk children.

NECTAC Notes, No. 21, (2006), 16 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes21.pdf

(PDF: 207kb)

Brain Research and Early Childhood Development: A Selection of Online Resources - Minbibliography

Goode, S. (Ed.)

In recent years, research on young children’s early brain development has underscored its importance for later development. This minibibliography includes a selection of online resources that discuss some the latest developments in this field and related educational policy issues.

NECTAC, (2006), 6 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/brainresearch.pdf

(PDF: 100kb)

Homelessness and Young Children: Early Childhood Care and Education - Minibibliography

Goode, S., & Shaw, E.

This annotated minibibliography provides a selection of resources that address the needs and educational rights of young children experiencing homelessness, as well as strategies for working with these vulnerable children and their families in early childhood care and education programs.

NECTAC, (2006), 8 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/homeless.pdf

(PDF: 106kb)

Assistive Technology and Diversity Issues - Minibibliography

Goode, S. (Ed.)

An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to assistive technology and diversity.

NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/at.pdf

(PDF: 93kb)

Challenges in Evaluating Psychosocial Interventions for Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Lord, C., Wagner, A., Rogers, S., Szatmari, P., Aman, M., Charman, T., Dawson, G., Durand, V., Grossman, L., Guthrie, D., Harris, S., Kasari, C., Marcus, L., Murphy, S., Odom, S., Pickles, A., Scahill, L., Shaw, E., Siegel, B., & Sigman, M.

This paper provides a summary of a 2002 National Institutes of Health meeting "Research on Psychosocial and Behavioral Interventions in Autism: Confronting the Methodological Challenges", including presentations, discussions and recommendations to federal and private agencies involved in either funding or supporting research and training in autism.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(6), (December 2005), pp. 695-708.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $5.00

Early Identification of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children (Aged 0-5) - Minibibliography

Goode, S., Shaw, E., Ringwalt, S., & Ayankoya, B. (Eds.)

An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to the early identification of culturally and linguistically diverse children.

NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/earlyidmini.pdf

(PDF: 103kb)

Funding of Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers and Young Children with Disabilities - Minibibliography

Goode, S. (Ed.)

An annotated bibliography presenting resources exploring the various assistive technology funding sources for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/atfunding.pdf

(PDF: 90kb)

Policy Issues and Intervention Strategies for Young Children Prenatally Exposed to Drugs or Alcohol: Selected Resources

Shaw, E., & Goode, S.

An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to policy issues and early intervention strategies for children affected by illegal substance abuse, or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure.

NECTAC, (2005), 10 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/prenatalexp.pdf

(PDF: 108kb)

Selected Resources on Financing Early Childhood Systems to Support Inclusive Options for Young Children with Disabilities - Minibibliography

Whaley, K., Goode, S., & deFosset, S.

An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to financing early childhood systems to support inclusive options for young children with disabilities.

NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/financemini.pdf

(PDF: 91kb)

The Impact of Abuse, Neglect and Foster Care Placement on Infants, Toddlers and Young Children: Selected Resources - Minibibliography

Shaw, E., & Goode, S.

This minibibliography contains a selection of resources related specifically to the incidence and impact of abuse or neglect on very young children, and related policy issues.

NECTAC, (2005), 13 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/abuseneglect.pdf

(PDF: 132kb)

The Long Term Economic Benefits Of High Quality Early Childhood Intervention Programs - Minibibliography

Diefendorf, M., & Goode, S.

An extensive body of research indicates that high quality early intervention for at-risk infants, toddlers and young children and their families is a sound economic investment. Studies have found a number of long-term cost savings in terms of decreased grade repetition, reduced special education spending, enhanced productivity, lower welfare costs, increased tax revenues, and lower juvenile justice costs. This minibibliography provides a selection of articles, reports, and book chapters that review some of the major findings on this topic. Some of the included studies focus on services for young children with disabilities, although most address early intervention for children who are at risk for adverse developmental outcomes due to poverty and other environmental factors.

NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/econbene.pdf

(PDF: 112kb)

Transitions From Infant Toddler Services to Preschool Education - Minibibliography

Whaley, K., & Goode, S.

An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to transitions from infant toddler services to preschool education.

NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/transition.pdf

(PDF: 105kb)

Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Parent Representation on Interagency Coordinating Councils

Swett, J., Xiong, D., Ayankoya, B., and Shackelford, J.

This document describes several ways ICCs can encourage and expand diverse parent representation on councils and committees. Although it specifically concerns parent members, this paper can also be useful for general recruitment of diverse members.

NECTAC Notes, No. 17, (2004), 8 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes17.pdf

(PDF: 62kb)

Revisiting a Comparison of Eligibility Policies for Infant/Toddler Programs and Preschool Special Education Programs

Danaher, J., Shackelford, J., & Harbin, G.

In this study, the authors repeated an earlier analysis and comparison of state eligibility policies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the preschool special education program, Part B, Section 619, of IDEA. The impact of federal and state policy changes in the intervening years on the prospects for continuity of eligibility as children move from Part C to Part B was investigated. The analysis revealed fewer states in which discontinuity was a concern (21, down from 27). States in which continuity was either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" increased from 24 to 30. The authors discuss policy options affecting continuity of eligibility across the early childhood programs of IDEA and the relevance of their findings for realizing the purposes of IDEA.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(2), (2004), pp. 59-67

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Including Preschool-Age Children With Disabilities in Community Settings: A Resource Packet (3rd Edition)

deFosset, S. (Ed.)

A variety of resources on: perspectives on inclusionary practices; the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act related to child care services for children with disabilities; and the basis in federal law for inclusive practices. Includes information about selected federally funded projects that focus on inclusion issues and about selected videos, training materials, and other resources supporting inclusion.

NECTAC, (2004), 82 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $8.00

State ICC Overview: Policies, Programs, and Practices of State Interagency Coordinating Councils Under IDEA

Shackelford, J. (Ed.)

Presents information on the composition and membership, parent roles and participation, structure and organization, and roles and functions of the ICCs in 40 states and jurisdictions. It includes information about local or regional ICCs and their relationship to the state ICC. The full text of those portions of the federal regulations (prior to reauthorization) pertaining to state ICCs is included.

NECTAC, (2003), 71 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $6.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/SICCoverview.pdf

(PDF: 1,259kb)

Progress in Providing Services to Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families: An Overview to and Update on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Trohanis, P. L.

This paper presents a historical look at IDEA and its progress in providing services to young children with special needs and their families. (PDF: 659kb)

NECTAC Notes, No. 12, (2002), 18 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; ERIC, ERIC No. ED471882 and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes12.pdf

(PDF: 659kb)

Informed Clinical Opinion

Shackelford, J.

This paper looks at the term "informed clinical opinion" and addresses its meaning in the context of Part C, its effect on the determination of eligibility and why its documentation is necessary.

NECTAC Notes, No. 10, (2002), 4 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; ERIC, ERIC No. ED471885 and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes10.pdf

(PDF: 49kb)

Assuring the Family's Role on the Early Intervention Team: Explaining Rights and Safeguards

Hurth, J. L., & Goff, P. E.

Presents a synthesis of innovative practices and ideas for explaining procedural safeguards to families in ways that are supportive of their role as partners in the early intervention process.

NECTAC, (2002), 13 pp.

Available from: ERIC, ERIC No. ED475510 and online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/assuring.pdf

(PDF: 140kb)

Online Workshop on Web-Based Training Demonstration CD

Hurth, J., Diefendorf, M., Fire, N., & Kraus, R.

Take a beach retreat and dive into a sea of information on the Web-Based Training demo CD. The CD presents an online workshop: an overview to WBT, tools for creating WBT and a process for designing and producing WBT. (online workshop)

NECTAC, (2002).

Available from: NECTAC, $5.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~wbtdemo

Funding Early Childhood Mental Health Services & Supports

Wishmann, A., Kates, D., & Kaufmann, R.

This document was prepared for the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Child Adolescent and Family Branch, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. [The full text of this resource is available on-line at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/72441.html ]

Georgetown University Child Development Center, (March 2001), 76 pp.

Available from: Georgetown University Child Development Center, $8.00; and Online at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/72441.html

Design Considerations for State TA Systems

Trohanis, P. L.

This three-part workbook is intended to serve as a planning resource for state officials to help them think strategically about the coherent design and effective operation of their technical assistance (TA) systems. Part I: Foundations and Perspectives of TA Design provides background information about TA along with selected previously published readings presented in Part II: Three Selected Readings on TA. Part III: Workbook for TA Design includes a series of worksheets to be used as discussion tools for state planning teams. This planning resource aims to present the considerations of state TA systems design with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of local service programs and their results with children and youth with special needs, birth-21, and their families. The notebook and three-hole page format allows team members to easily use selected materials. State planning teams may copy and disseminate the materials as needed.

NECTAC, (2001), 90 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $5.00

Making a Difference by Involving Fathers

Arndt, B. (Ed.)

Presents stories shared by fathers about their views and experiences being fathers of children with disabilities

Early Childhood Bulletin, (Summer 2001), 6 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/makingadifference.pdf

(PDF: 362kb)

Reflections on Early Childhood

deFosset, S., & Shields, M.

Three young adults with disabilities share their reflections on how their success and self-determination was shaped by their childhood experiences. This 10:46 minute video is available on VHS cassette. (The full transcript is available.)

NECTAS, (2001), 10:46 mins.

Available from: NECTAC, $5.00

The Evolution of Transition Policy for Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families: Past, Present, and Future

Rosenkoetter, S. E., Whaley, K. T., Hains, A. H., & Pierce, L.

Early childhood transition policies provide an excellent case study of the types of events that can lead to policy change over time. This article describes the types of early childhood transitions that have received policy development and the types that remain unguided by federal or state policy.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 21(1), (2001), pp.3-15

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Areas of Agreement about Effective Practices Among Programs Serving Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Hurth, J., Shaw, E., Izeman, S., Whaley, K., & Rogers, S.

This journal reprint examines the commonalities and differences among nationally known critical program practices. This study presents preliminary results from a NECTAS-sponsored autism forum activity about areas of agreement about effective practice.

Infants and Young Children, 12(2), (1999), pp. 17-26.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Embedding Personnel Development into Early Intervention Service Delivery: Elements in the Process

Striffler, N., & Fire, N.

This journal article reprint presents a model for planning and implementing a comprehensive system of personnel development that is inextricably linked to the service delivery system. It discusses the 12 key elements that comprise the model and the relationships among the elements. The authors outline potential benefits for providers, families, and state and community planners.

Infants and Young Children, 11(3), (1999), pp. 50-61.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

NECTAS Resource Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Whaley, K., & Shaw, E. (Eds.)

A collection of materials to serve as a resource on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The packet includes several sections: full text of several articles that present an overview to ASDs, and that discuss treatment approaches; descriptions of national resources on ASDs; list of OSEP-funded early childhood projects that are developing and/or disseminating program models or model components for providing services to young children with ASDs and their families; descriptions of print and video resources on ASDs developed by OSEP-funded early childhood projects; and an annotated bibliography of resources focused on the following: overviews of ASDs; assessment and diagnosis; neurological, biological, and genetic influences; educational approaches and interventions; family, and sibling support; individual and family perspectives; and books on ASDs for children.

NECTAC, (1999), 181 pp.

Available from: ERIC, ERIC No. ED440498

One Mother's Reflections: Recent Reading About Autism

Ziegler, M.

This issue of Early Childhood Bulletin was developed to provide parents and their professional partners serving on Interagency Coordinating Councils with a useful resource to disseminate to other parents and service providers and to suggest directions for further reading.

Early Childhood Bulletin, (Winter 1999), 6 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/ECbulautism.pdf

(PDF: 310kb)

Services for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Voices of Parents and Providers

Sperry, L., Whaley,. K., Shaw, E., & Brame, K.

This journal article reprint presents perspectives regarding service systems for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. It identifies points of convergence in the area of collaboration, family support, financial issues, equity, early identification, advocacy, training, and transition. It discusses emergent themes analyzed from focus groups conducted at NECTAS-sponsored national meetings.

Infants and Young Children, 11(4), (1999), pp. 17-33.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Problem-Solving Negotiation

Gittler, J., & Hurth, J.

This journal article reprint describes the use of the problem-solving negotiation model to resolve disputes arising under Part C of IDEA. It describes the need in early intervention systems for formal education and training in problem-solving negotiation. (Note: This article is a companion to the article "Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Procedural Safeguards and Mediation," listed below.)

Infants and Young Children, 11(1), (1998), pp. 28-36.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Procedural Safeguards and Mediation

Gittler, J., & Hurth, J.

This journal article reprint reports the findings of a study of conflict management in early intervention systems, and examines the use of mediation as an alternative or supplement to the use of administrative hearings and litigation. (Note: This article is a companion to the article "Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Problem-Solving Negotiation," listed above.)

Infants and Young Children, 11(1), (1998), pp. 15-27.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Constructing an Interagency Funding System for Early Intervention Services

Kates, D.

This journal reprint examines the major funding sources for early intervention services and the issues that arise when resources are combined, such as which funding source is first or last payer, the use of family resources, determination of medical necessity, and the provision of service coordination. Strategies to address these issues are discussed.

Infants and Young Children, 11(2), (1998), pp. 73-81.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Family Experiences: Ways to Lead Change Through Telling Your Story

Gabbard, G.

This Early Childhood Bulletin focuses on ways parents can shape their stories so that key themes are emphasized and improvements are made within a program or system. The author includes key issues to consider in preparing and presenting a story.

Early Childhood Bulletin, (Spring 1998), 6 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/famexp.pdf

(PDF: 32kb)

Service Coordination Caseloads in State Early Intervention Systems

Hurth, J.

Describes four service coordination models used in state early intervention systems: dedicated service coordination, early interventionist and service coordination, interagency service coordination, and interim or intake service coordination. Examples of caseloads in states using these models are presented.

NECTAS Notes, No. 8, (1998), 6 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes8.pdf

(PDF: 310kb)

Enhancing Family Roles in EI Programs

Popper, B.

This Early Childhood Bulletin explores issues to consider for involving the diversity of parents in the activities of their state interagency coordinating councils (ICCs) and the range of roles they can play.

Early Childhood Bulletin, (October 1997), 4 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/enhanfam.pdf

(PDF: 32kb)

Improving the Quality of Early Intervention Personnel by Enhancing Faculty Expertise An Executive Summary of the Findings and Recommendations of Four Regional Faculty Institutes

Hebbeler, K. (Ed.)

Describes the activities and some of the accomplishments of four regional institutes funded by the U.S. Department of Education to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate modes for training faculty at institutes of higher education so that they can better provide inservice training to early intervention personnel. It briefly presents the unique models developed by the institutes and lists related products that are available from them.

FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997), 16 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $5.00

Planning and Implementing a Finance System for Early Intervention Services

Striffler, N., Perry, D., & Kates, D.

The journal article reprint discusses an interactive process model and related technical assistance strategies for planning and implementing a finance system for early intervention services. The model emphasizes collaboration with key stakeholders, vision development, resource identification, problem analysis, strategy development, and implementation. The application of the planning process is detailed within the framework of three state case examples.

Infants and Young Children, 10(2), (1997), pp. 57-65.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Resources Related to Children and Their Families Affected by Alcohol and Other Drugs (3rd Edition)

Melner, J., & Shackelford, J., et al.

Lists resources that serve young children and their families affected by substance use, including national training and information resources, state programs and agencies, and federal and private funding sources.

NECTAS, (1997), 24 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $3.00

Comparison of Eligibility Policies for Infant/Toddler Programs and Preschool Special Education Programs

Harbin, G., Danaher, J., & Derrick, T.

Analyzes state Part H and Part B eligibility policies for discontinuity between the two policies, for the nature of the discontinuity, and for which children are most likely to be affected by the discontinuity.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 14(4), (Winter 1994), pp. 455-471.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Planning for Successful Inservice Education for Local Early Childhood Programs

Trohanis, P. L.

Written for leadership personnel who design inservice education for personnel serving children, birth to 6 years of age, with disabilities and their families, the paper details an approach for developing an inservice plan.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 14(3), (Fall 1994), pp. 311-332.

Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00

Guidelines and Recommended Practices for the Individualized Family Service Plan (2nd ed.)

This monograph presents identified best practices in the development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) as required for families who have young children with disabilities, by Public Law 99-457, the Education of Handicapped Act Amendments (1986).

NECTAS & Association for the Care of Children's Health, (1991), 200 pp. (approx.)

Available from: NECTAC (photocopy), $15.00; and ERIC, ERIC (No. ED336907)

CBAM (Concerns-Based Adoption Model)

Loucks, S.

Presents a framework to describe changes people undergo as they adopt new programs, and how they can be helped to make those changes in an effective, efficient, and humanistic way.

TADS Outreach Series, Paper #2, (1983), 25 pp.

Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and ERIC, ERIC No: ED233524

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	PUBLICATIONS Search Publications View by Title View by Date View by Subject Order Info
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Contacts Topics Webinars Conferences Presentations Research & Reference eNotes Publications	Publications By Most Recent Date Printer-friendly Page Essential Elements of High Performing, High Quality Part C Systems Lucas, A., Hurth, J. & Kasprzak, C. NECTAC was asked to identify essential elements for supporting high performance and provision of high quality early intervention Part C services as determined by the Annual Performance Review (APR) required under IDEA. To respond, NECTAC interviewed one state and conducted a focus group with four other states that have consistently met requirements on the APR indicators and are maintaining effective, efficient practices. Additionally, the NECTAC review of states’ APR early childhood indicators and technical assistance experience also helped inform the identification of commonalities across states that could be considered essential elements of a high performing Part C system NECTAC Notes, No. 25, (2010), 4 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes25.pdf (PDF: 756kb) NECTAC TA Collaborations Diefendorf, M. This paper highlights several current collaborative activities of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC). There are many specific examples of TA collaborations that take place on a regular basis; the seven examples presented here were selected to represent different types of collaboration. The descriptions were developed for the OSEP/OESE Leveraging Resources Meeting, Washington, DC, April 13-14, 2010 and were included in handouts at the Improving Early Learning Workgroup sessions at that meeting. NECTAC, (May 2010), 8 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_ta_collaborations.pdf (PDF: 244kb) Evaluation Highlights: Client Feedback March 2009 - March 2010 Prepared by NECTAC The NECTAC Evaluation Unit collects and analyzes data to describe the quantity and nature of the technical assistance services provided by NECTAC staff. The Unit evaluates the quality and relevance of NECTAC services and products and whether TA recipients use the information and resources gained to improve state and local systems and services. In addition, in February 2010, a national survey was conducted by an independent external evaluator with all primary clients (Part C and Section 619 Coordinators from all states and jurisdictions) regardless of their level of participation in NECTAC TA. The highlights included in this report include data from both internal and external evaluation efforts from March 2009 to March 2010. NECTAC, (April 2010), 4 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_highlights_2010.pdf (PDF: 722kb) Expanding Opportunities: An Interagency Inclusion Initiative Prepared by NECTAC Research has shown that both young children with disabilities and their peers benefit from participating together in quality programs and community activities. However, inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities are often not systematic, comprehensive or necessarily of high quality. Four federal agency partners recognized the need to promote collaborative efforts in states that would result in high quality inclusive opportunities for all children and families. They created the Expanding Opportunities Initiative and supported it through the coordinated efforts of their technical assistance (TA) resources. This interagency inclusion initiative began in 2005 and has continued to be supported by the federal partners each year. NECTAC, (March 2010), 2 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_expopps.pdf (PDF: 340kb) Evaluating SPP/APR Improvement Activities Prepared for the OSEP Systems and Improvement Planning Priority Team by NECTAC and the RRC Program This document is intended to assist State Education Agency (SEA) and Lead Agency (LA) staff and technical assistance providers in designing a meaningful evaluation for the State Performance Plan (SPP)/Annual Performance Report (APR) improvement activities. It provides 1) information about the relevance of evaluation in the context of improvement planning and strategic systems thinking; 2) guidance on selecting an appropriate design for evaluating different types of improvement activities and; 3) additional resources and tools that support the overall design, implementation and evaluation of the SPP which may serve as a State's blueprint for systems improvement. NECTAC, (2009), 13 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/evaluatingsppapractivities.pdf (PDF: 190kb) Evaluation Highlights: Client Feedback September 2006 - October 2009 Prepared by NECTAC The NECTAC Evaluation Unit collects and analyzes data to describe the quantity and nature of the technical assistance services provided by NECTAC staff. The Unit determines the quality and relevance of NECTAC services and products and whether clients use NECTAC Technical Assistance (TA) to improve state and local systems and services. An external evaluation was conducted with all primary clients (Part C and Section 619 Coordinators from all states and jurisdictions) regardless of their level of participation in NECTAC TA. The highlights included in this report include data from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2009. NECTAC, (December 2009), 4 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nectac_eval_highlights_report.pdf (PDF: 320kb) Queries: Screening and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders Shaw, E. & Hatton, D. (Eds.). In response to interest from the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC-ASD), NECTAC queried state Part C and Section 619 coordinators regarding screening measures, diagnostic instruments and procedures, and trends in identifying young children with ASD under the age of five years. NECTAC collaborated with the NPDC-ASD to develop and refine a series of questions and then to conduct an on-line survey during a two week period in November 2008. The survey was opened again in August 2009 to allow responses from additional states. Individual states are not identified in this report. NECTAC. (2009). 7 pp. Available from: Online at http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/queries/queries_asdscreening.pdf (PDF: 896kb) NECTAC Technical Assistance Model for Long-Term Systems Change Kahn, L., Hurth, J., Diefendorf, M., Kasprzak, C., Lucas, A., & Ringwalt, S. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) was charged by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) from 2001-2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance that would result in sustainable systems change in state Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education programs served under the early childhood provisions of IDEA. Even with the individualized nature of the systems change work with states, and with the variation across plans on a number of dimensions, NECTAC was able to determine the most effective strategies relating to the development and implementation processes for producing better results. The most important lessons learned are incorporated into the description of the model in this paper and can be applied to future technical assistance with states on system change initiatives. NECTAC, (June 2009), 26 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/tamodel.pdf (PDF: 792kb) Thinking Points: A Synthesis of Ideas About the Change Process (Topics: An occasional paper on the literature and practice of Technical Assistance) Hurth, J. & Goode, S. (Eds.) This series, Topics in TA, is being produced by NECTAC staff to share with our colleagues and others who are interested in the research on and practice of technical assistance. We will address various topics drawing from relevant literature and our experience in providing technical assistance. The impetus for this series is in large part to honor our late director, Pascal 'Pat' Trohanis, who guided and inspired us for 35 years. Pat was a consummate collaborator and greatly enjoyed sharing with and learning from our TA colleagues in and outside of the OSEP-funded TA & Dissemination network. This first paper is one he originally prepared to share with that network and concerns systemic changes in service systems. We welcome your comments on this paper and the series. NECTAC, (2009), 4pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/tatopics/topics_thinkingpoints.pdf (PDF: 830kb) The evolution of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Gallagher, J. J., Danaher, J. C., & Clifford, R. M. This review traces the evolution from 1971 to the present of a national technical assistance (TA) program to support the creation, expansion, and improvement of services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs. From its beginning as a TA resource for demonstration projects, to linking outreach projects' expertise with state efforts to expand services, to supporting national constituencies across the research, development, and policy communities, to promoting program improvement and accountability for results, the OSEP-funded national early childhood TA center has been an important piece of a comprehensive infrastructure for early childhood special education. Through its collaboration with other agencies' early childhood TA programs, the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center is committed to influencing the development of an infrastructure for early childhood to better serve all of our children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(1), 7-23. doi: 10.1177/0271121408330931 Available from: Sage Journals Online at http://tec.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/7 The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Model for Long-Term Systems Change Kahn, L., Hurth, J., Kasprzak, C. M., Diefendorf, M. J., Goode, S. E., & Ringwalt, S. S. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center was charged by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs from October 2001 through September 2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance (TA) that would result in sustainable systems change in state early intervention and preschool special education programs served under the early childhood provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Both process and summative evaluations were conducted over the 5-year contract period. The TA Model for Long-Term Systems Change was found to result in improvements in state and local infrastructures, personnel development systems, practices, and outcomes for children and families. The resulting model is a legacy that Pat Trohanis leaves to the field of technical assistance. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(1), 24-39. doi: 10.1177/0271121409334039 Available from: Sage Journals Online at http://tec.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/24 Section 619 Profile (16th Edition) Lazara, A., Danaher, J., Kraus, R., & Goode, S. (Eds.) The 2008-09 edition of this publication updates information provided by state coordinators on state policies, programs, and practices under the Preschool Grants Program (Section 619 of Part B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Information includes: program administration, funding, interagency coordination, personnel, transition, monitoring, use of IEPs/ IFSPs, family-centered services, standards and outcomes, pre-kindergarten initiatives, initiatives for special populations, and services in least restrictive environments (LRE). The volume also includes a compilation of information on the Section 619 program from other sources: federal and state policies, data from www.ideadata.org, state training and TA systems, data on changes in children served by the program, and contact information for state and jurisdictional program coordinators. Previous editions of the Section 619 Profile are available as well: Current Edition: 16th Edition (2008-2009) (PDF: 3,385kb) 15th Edition (2007) (PDF: 4,429kb) 14th Edition (2006) (PDF: 3,173kb) 13th Edition (2005) (PDF: 1,077kb) 12th Edition (2003) (PDF: 5,332kb) 11th Edition (2002) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED474692; (PDF: 4,124kb) NECTAC, (2009), 246 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $15.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/sec619_2008-09.pdf (PDF: 3.385kb) Developmental Screening and Assessment Instruments with an Emphasis on Social and Emotional Development for Young Children Ages Birth through Five Ringwalt, S. The screening instruments included focus on the social-emotional developmental domain as well as those that address multiple developmental domains. The screening instruments are further sub-divided into those which must be administered by professionals and those that may be completed by family members or other caregivers. A list of social-emotional assessment instruments that must be administered by professionals is also provided. The information for each instrument includes a description, the age range for which the instrument was validated, the time to administer, the scoring procedure, psychometric properties, and requirements for administrators, and a link to, or address for, the publisher or source of more information. NECTAC, (2008), 20 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/screening.pdf (PDF: 950kb) Part C Updates: 10th in a Series of Updates on Selected Aspects of the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, (Part C) of IDEA Goode, S., Lazara, A., & Danaher, J. (Eds.) Contains information about Part C program administration, including funding and contacts at the federal and state level. It also contains information on: states' Part C rules, regulations and policies; OSEP policy letters; referral to Part C of vulnerable/maltreated young children; personnel competence and qualifications; services for very young children with autism; and early identification of infants and toddlers eligible for early intervention. The volume concludes with data tables for Part C: child count, settings, exiting, services, and personnel; and, the full text of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Previous Editions of the Part C Updates are available as well: Current Edition: 10th Edition (2008) (PDF: 4,000kb) 9th Edition (2007) (PDF: 4,765kb) 8th Edition (2006) (PDF: 3,507kb) 7th Edition (2005) (PDF: 3,023kb) 6th Edition (2004) (PDF: 21,784kb) 5th Edition (2003) (PDF: 12,989kb) 4th Edition (2002) via ERIC, ERIC no. ED474693; (PDF: 5,330kb) NECTAC, (2008), 164 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $15.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/partcupdate2008.pdf (PDF: 4000kb) Queries: Personnel Certification and Specialized Service Providers for ASD Danaher, J., Shaw, E., & Lazara, A. (Eds.). In response to states’ interest, NECTAC queried Part C and Section 619 Coordinators regarding certification or endorsements for personnel working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how states provide services for children diagnosed with ASD. NECTAC, (2008), 5pp. Available from: Online at http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/queries/queries_asd.pdf (PDF: 887kb) Fact Sheet: Vulnerable Young Children Shaw, E. and Goode, S. This fact sheet provides data on infants, toddlers and young children who are experiencing high stress as a result of a number of risk factors specifically identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), including substantiated abuse or neglect, foster care placement, homelessness, exposure to family violence and prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol. It should be noted that these risk factors often co-occur with other serious risk factors, such as extreme poverty, environmental toxins, parental substance abuse (post-natally) and parental mental health problems, especially maternal depression. NECTAC, (2008), 7 pp. Available from: Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/factsheet_vulnerable.pdf (PDF: 253kb) Compilation of Projects Addressing the Early Childhood Provisions of IDEA - FY 2006 This compilation includes discretionary projects supported by the Office of Special Education Programs Under IDEA for FY 2006. Note that project information is available online using the NECTAC Projects Finder. Previous editions of the Compilation of Projects are available as well: Current Edition: FY 2006 (2007) (PDF: 1,393kb) FY 2005 (2006) (PDF: 2,975kb) FY 2004 (2005) (PDF: 1,553kb) FY 2003 (2004) (PDF: 980kb) FY 2002 (2003) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED473402; (PDF: 4,811kb) FY 2001 (2002) via ERIC, ERIC No. ED471878; (PDF: 4,642kb) NECTAC & NICHCY, (2007), 362 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $10.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/2007eccompilation.pdf (PDF: 1,393kb) Eligibility Policies and Practices for Young Children Under Part B of IDEA Danaher, J. This document analyzes states' definition of developmental delay and summarizes the state eligibility classifications and criteria under Part B of IDEA. NECTAC Notes, No. 24, (2007), 20 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes24.pdf (PDF: 190kb) A Framework for Developing and Sustaining a Part C Finance System Greer, M., Taylor, A., & Mackey Andrews, S. D. This paper summarizes the fiscal challenges that this legislation presents and proposes a framework for analyzing, adjusting, and maintaining a flexible and self-regulating finance system to support Part C early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families. The framework design features four phases of work to help agencies understand the issues and make informed decisions for on-going development and support of a Part C finance system. NECTAC Notes, No. 23, (2007), 10 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes23.pdf (PDF: 158kb) To Fee or Not to Fee: That is the Question! Mackey Andrews, S. D. & Taylor, A. This paper summarizes the current financing difficulties faced by state and local Part C agencies, and it examines in closer detail aspects and implications of Family Cost Participation, under which some family resources may be accessed to distribute the cost of intervention services provided to the client family. NECTAC Notes, No. 22, (2007), 16 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes22.pdf (PDF: 177kb) State and Jurisdictional Eligibility Definitions for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities Under IDEA Shackelford, J. Analyzes states' Part C definitions of developmental delay, established conditions, and biological and environmental risk categories. A chart lists definitions and identifies states serving at-risk children. NECTAC Notes, No. 21, (2006), 16 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes21.pdf (PDF: 207kb) Brain Research and Early Childhood Development: A Selection of Online Resources - Minbibliography Goode, S. (Ed.) In recent years, research on young children’s early brain development has underscored its importance for later development. This minibibliography includes a selection of online resources that discuss some the latest developments in this field and related educational policy issues. NECTAC, (2006), 6 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/brainresearch.pdf (PDF: 100kb) Homelessness and Young Children: Early Childhood Care and Education - Minibibliography Goode, S., & Shaw, E. This annotated minibibliography provides a selection of resources that address the needs and educational rights of young children experiencing homelessness, as well as strategies for working with these vulnerable children and their families in early childhood care and education programs. NECTAC, (2006), 8 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/homeless.pdf (PDF: 106kb) Assistive Technology and Diversity Issues - Minibibliography Goode, S. (Ed.) An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to assistive technology and diversity. NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/at.pdf (PDF: 93kb) Challenges in Evaluating Psychosocial Interventions for Autistic Spectrum Disorders Lord, C., Wagner, A., Rogers, S., Szatmari, P., Aman, M., Charman, T., Dawson, G., Durand, V., Grossman, L., Guthrie, D., Harris, S., Kasari, C., Marcus, L., Murphy, S., Odom, S., Pickles, A., Scahill, L., Shaw, E., Siegel, B., & Sigman, M. This paper provides a summary of a 2002 National Institutes of Health meeting "Research on Psychosocial and Behavioral Interventions in Autism: Confronting the Methodological Challenges", including presentations, discussions and recommendations to federal and private agencies involved in either funding or supporting research and training in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(6), (December 2005), pp. 695-708. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $5.00 Early Identification of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children (Aged 0-5) - Minibibliography Goode, S., Shaw, E., Ringwalt, S., & Ayankoya, B. (Eds.) An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to the early identification of culturally and linguistically diverse children. NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/earlyidmini.pdf (PDF: 103kb) Funding of Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers and Young Children with Disabilities - Minibibliography Goode, S. (Ed.) An annotated bibliography presenting resources exploring the various assistive technology funding sources for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities. NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/atfunding.pdf (PDF: 90kb) Policy Issues and Intervention Strategies for Young Children Prenatally Exposed to Drugs or Alcohol: Selected Resources Shaw, E., & Goode, S. An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to policy issues and early intervention strategies for children affected by illegal substance abuse, or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure. NECTAC, (2005), 10 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/prenatalexp.pdf (PDF: 108kb) Selected Resources on Financing Early Childhood Systems to Support Inclusive Options for Young Children with Disabilities - Minibibliography Whaley, K., Goode, S., & deFosset, S. An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to financing early childhood systems to support inclusive options for young children with disabilities. NECTAC, (2005), 5 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/financemini.pdf (PDF: 91kb) The Impact of Abuse, Neglect and Foster Care Placement on Infants, Toddlers and Young Children: Selected Resources - Minibibliography Shaw, E., & Goode, S. This minibibliography contains a selection of resources related specifically to the incidence and impact of abuse or neglect on very young children, and related policy issues. NECTAC, (2005), 13 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/abuseneglect.pdf (PDF: 132kb) The Long Term Economic Benefits Of High Quality Early Childhood Intervention Programs - Minibibliography Diefendorf, M., & Goode, S. An extensive body of research indicates that high quality early intervention for at-risk infants, toddlers and young children and their families is a sound economic investment. Studies have found a number of long-term cost savings in terms of decreased grade repetition, reduced special education spending, enhanced productivity, lower welfare costs, increased tax revenues, and lower juvenile justice costs. This minibibliography provides a selection of articles, reports, and book chapters that review some of the major findings on this topic. Some of the included studies focus on services for young children with disabilities, although most address early intervention for children who are at risk for adverse developmental outcomes due to poverty and other environmental factors. NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/econbene.pdf (PDF: 112kb) Transitions From Infant Toddler Services to Preschool Education - Minibibliography Whaley, K., & Goode, S. An annotated bibliography presenting resources related to transitions from infant toddler services to preschool education. NECTAC, (2005), 9 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/transition.pdf (PDF: 105kb) Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Parent Representation on Interagency Coordinating Councils Swett, J., Xiong, D., Ayankoya, B., and Shackelford, J. This document describes several ways ICCs can encourage and expand diverse parent representation on councils and committees. Although it specifically concerns parent members, this paper can also be useful for general recruitment of diverse members. NECTAC Notes, No. 17, (2004), 8 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes17.pdf (PDF: 62kb) Revisiting a Comparison of Eligibility Policies for Infant/Toddler Programs and Preschool Special Education Programs Danaher, J., Shackelford, J., & Harbin, G. In this study, the authors repeated an earlier analysis and comparison of state eligibility policies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the preschool special education program, Part B, Section 619, of IDEA. The impact of federal and state policy changes in the intervening years on the prospects for continuity of eligibility as children move from Part C to Part B was investigated. The analysis revealed fewer states in which discontinuity was a concern (21, down from 27). States in which continuity was either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" increased from 24 to 30. The authors discuss policy options affecting continuity of eligibility across the early childhood programs of IDEA and the relevance of their findings for realizing the purposes of IDEA. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(2), (2004), pp. 59-67 Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Including Preschool-Age Children With Disabilities in Community Settings: A Resource Packet (3rd Edition) deFosset, S. (Ed.) A variety of resources on: perspectives on inclusionary practices; the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act related to child care services for children with disabilities; and the basis in federal law for inclusive practices. Includes information about selected federally funded projects that focus on inclusion issues and about selected videos, training materials, and other resources supporting inclusion. NECTAC, (2004), 82 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $8.00 State ICC Overview: Policies, Programs, and Practices of State Interagency Coordinating Councils Under IDEA Shackelford, J. (Ed.) Presents information on the composition and membership, parent roles and participation, structure and organization, and roles and functions of the ICCs in 40 states and jurisdictions. It includes information about local or regional ICCs and their relationship to the state ICC. The full text of those portions of the federal regulations (prior to reauthorization) pertaining to state ICCs is included. NECTAC, (2003), 71 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $6.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/SICCoverview.pdf (PDF: 1,259kb) Progress in Providing Services to Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families: An Overview to and Update on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Trohanis, P. L. This paper presents a historical look at IDEA and its progress in providing services to young children with special needs and their families. (PDF: 659kb) NECTAC Notes, No. 12, (2002), 18 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; ERIC, ERIC No. ED471882 and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes12.pdf (PDF: 659kb) Informed Clinical Opinion Shackelford, J. This paper looks at the term "informed clinical opinion" and addresses its meaning in the context of Part C, its effect on the determination of eligibility and why its documentation is necessary. NECTAC Notes, No. 10, (2002), 4 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; ERIC, ERIC No. ED471885 and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes10.pdf (PDF: 49kb) Assuring the Family's Role on the Early Intervention Team: Explaining Rights and Safeguards Hurth, J. L., & Goff, P. E. Presents a synthesis of innovative practices and ideas for explaining procedural safeguards to families in ways that are supportive of their role as partners in the early intervention process. NECTAC, (2002), 13 pp. Available from: ERIC, ERIC No. ED475510 and online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/assuring.pdf (PDF: 140kb) Online Workshop on Web-Based Training Demonstration CD Hurth, J., Diefendorf, M., Fire, N., & Kraus, R. Take a beach retreat and dive into a sea of information on the Web-Based Training demo CD. The CD presents an online workshop: an overview to WBT, tools for creating WBT and a process for designing and producing WBT. (online workshop) NECTAC, (2002). Available from: NECTAC, $5.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~wbtdemo Funding Early Childhood Mental Health Services & Supports Wishmann, A., Kates, D., & Kaufmann, R. This document was prepared for the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Child Adolescent and Family Branch, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. [The full text of this resource is available on-line at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/72441.html ] Georgetown University Child Development Center, (March 2001), 76 pp. Available from: Georgetown University Child Development Center, $8.00; and Online at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/72441.html Design Considerations for State TA Systems Trohanis, P. L. This three-part workbook is intended to serve as a planning resource for state officials to help them think strategically about the coherent design and effective operation of their technical assistance (TA) systems. Part I: Foundations and Perspectives of TA Design provides background information about TA along with selected previously published readings presented in Part II: Three Selected Readings on TA. Part III: Workbook for TA Design includes a series of worksheets to be used as discussion tools for state planning teams. This planning resource aims to present the considerations of state TA systems design with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of local service programs and their results with children and youth with special needs, birth-21, and their families. The notebook and three-hole page format allows team members to easily use selected materials. State planning teams may copy and disseminate the materials as needed. NECTAC, (2001), 90 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $5.00 Making a Difference by Involving Fathers Arndt, B. (Ed.) Presents stories shared by fathers about their views and experiences being fathers of children with disabilities Early Childhood Bulletin, (Summer 2001), 6 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/makingadifference.pdf (PDF: 362kb) Reflections on Early Childhood deFosset, S., & Shields, M. Three young adults with disabilities share their reflections on how their success and self-determination was shaped by their childhood experiences. This 10:46 minute video is available on VHS cassette. (The full transcript is available.) NECTAS, (2001), 10:46 mins. Available from: NECTAC, $5.00 The Evolution of Transition Policy for Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families: Past, Present, and Future Rosenkoetter, S. E., Whaley, K. T., Hains, A. H., & Pierce, L. Early childhood transition policies provide an excellent case study of the types of events that can lead to policy change over time. This article describes the types of early childhood transitions that have received policy development and the types that remain unguided by federal or state policy. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 21(1), (2001), pp.3-15 Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Areas of Agreement about Effective Practices Among Programs Serving Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Hurth, J., Shaw, E., Izeman, S., Whaley, K., & Rogers, S. This journal reprint examines the commonalities and differences among nationally known critical program practices. This study presents preliminary results from a NECTAS-sponsored autism forum activity about areas of agreement about effective practice. Infants and Young Children, 12(2), (1999), pp. 17-26. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Embedding Personnel Development into Early Intervention Service Delivery: Elements in the Process Striffler, N., & Fire, N. This journal article reprint presents a model for planning and implementing a comprehensive system of personnel development that is inextricably linked to the service delivery system. It discusses the 12 key elements that comprise the model and the relationships among the elements. The authors outline potential benefits for providers, families, and state and community planners. Infants and Young Children, 11(3), (1999), pp. 50-61. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 NECTAS Resource Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorders Whaley, K., & Shaw, E. (Eds.) A collection of materials to serve as a resource on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The packet includes several sections: full text of several articles that present an overview to ASDs, and that discuss treatment approaches; descriptions of national resources on ASDs; list of OSEP-funded early childhood projects that are developing and/or disseminating program models or model components for providing services to young children with ASDs and their families; descriptions of print and video resources on ASDs developed by OSEP-funded early childhood projects; and an annotated bibliography of resources focused on the following: overviews of ASDs; assessment and diagnosis; neurological, biological, and genetic influences; educational approaches and interventions; family, and sibling support; individual and family perspectives; and books on ASDs for children. NECTAC, (1999), 181 pp. Available from: ERIC, ERIC No. ED440498 One Mother's Reflections: Recent Reading About Autism Ziegler, M. This issue of Early Childhood Bulletin was developed to provide parents and their professional partners serving on Interagency Coordinating Councils with a useful resource to disseminate to other parents and service providers and to suggest directions for further reading. Early Childhood Bulletin, (Winter 1999), 6 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/ECbulautism.pdf (PDF: 310kb) Services for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Voices of Parents and Providers Sperry, L., Whaley,. K., Shaw, E., & Brame, K. This journal article reprint presents perspectives regarding service systems for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. It identifies points of convergence in the area of collaboration, family support, financial issues, equity, early identification, advocacy, training, and transition. It discusses emergent themes analyzed from focus groups conducted at NECTAS-sponsored national meetings. Infants and Young Children, 11(4), (1999), pp. 17-33. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Problem-Solving Negotiation Gittler, J., & Hurth, J. This journal article reprint describes the use of the problem-solving negotiation model to resolve disputes arising under Part C of IDEA. It describes the need in early intervention systems for formal education and training in problem-solving negotiation. (Note: This article is a companion to the article "Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Procedural Safeguards and Mediation," listed below.) Infants and Young Children, 11(1), (1998), pp. 28-36. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Procedural Safeguards and Mediation Gittler, J., & Hurth, J. This journal article reprint reports the findings of a study of conflict management in early intervention systems, and examines the use of mediation as an alternative or supplement to the use of administrative hearings and litigation. (Note: This article is a companion to the article "Conflict Management in Early Intervention: Problem-Solving Negotiation," listed above.) Infants and Young Children, 11(1), (1998), pp. 15-27. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Constructing an Interagency Funding System for Early Intervention Services Kates, D. This journal reprint examines the major funding sources for early intervention services and the issues that arise when resources are combined, such as which funding source is first or last payer, the use of family resources, determination of medical necessity, and the provision of service coordination. Strategies to address these issues are discussed. Infants and Young Children, 11(2), (1998), pp. 73-81. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Family Experiences: Ways to Lead Change Through Telling Your Story Gabbard, G. This Early Childhood Bulletin focuses on ways parents can shape their stories so that key themes are emphasized and improvements are made within a program or system. The author includes key issues to consider in preparing and presenting a story. Early Childhood Bulletin, (Spring 1998), 6 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/famexp.pdf (PDF: 32kb) Service Coordination Caseloads in State Early Intervention Systems Hurth, J. Describes four service coordination models used in state early intervention systems: dedicated service coordination, early interventionist and service coordination, interagency service coordination, and interim or intake service coordination. Examples of caseloads in states using these models are presented. NECTAS Notes, No. 8, (1998), 6 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/nnotes8.pdf (PDF: 310kb) Enhancing Family Roles in EI Programs Popper, B. This Early Childhood Bulletin explores issues to consider for involving the diversity of parents in the activities of their state interagency coordinating councils (ICCs) and the range of roles they can play. Early Childhood Bulletin, (October 1997), 4 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00; and Online at www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/enhanfam.pdf (PDF: 32kb) Improving the Quality of Early Intervention Personnel by Enhancing Faculty Expertise An Executive Summary of the Findings and Recommendations of Four Regional Faculty Institutes Hebbeler, K. (Ed.) Describes the activities and some of the accomplishments of four regional institutes funded by the U.S. Department of Education to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate modes for training faculty at institutes of higher education so that they can better provide inservice training to early intervention personnel. It briefly presents the unique models developed by the institutes and lists related products that are available from them. FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997), 16 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $5.00 Planning and Implementing a Finance System for Early Intervention Services Striffler, N., Perry, D., & Kates, D. The journal article reprint discusses an interactive process model and related technical assistance strategies for planning and implementing a finance system for early intervention services. The model emphasizes collaboration with key stakeholders, vision development, resource identification, problem analysis, strategy development, and implementation. The application of the planning process is detailed within the framework of three state case examples. Infants and Young Children, 10(2), (1997), pp. 57-65. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Resources Related to Children and Their Families Affected by Alcohol and Other Drugs (3rd Edition) Melner, J., & Shackelford, J., et al. Lists resources that serve young children and their families affected by substance use, including national training and information resources, state programs and agencies, and federal and private funding sources. NECTAS, (1997), 24 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $3.00 Comparison of Eligibility Policies for Infant/Toddler Programs and Preschool Special Education Programs Harbin, G., Danaher, J., & Derrick, T. Analyzes state Part H and Part B eligibility policies for discontinuity between the two policies, for the nature of the discontinuity, and for which children are most likely to be affected by the discontinuity. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 14(4), (Winter 1994), pp. 455-471. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Planning for Successful Inservice Education for Local Early Childhood Programs Trohanis, P. L. Written for leadership personnel who design inservice education for personnel serving children, birth to 6 years of age, with disabilities and their families, the paper details an approach for developing an inservice plan. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 14(3), (Fall 1994), pp. 311-332. Available from: NECTAC (reprint), $3.00 Guidelines and Recommended Practices for the Individualized Family Service Plan (2nd ed.) This monograph presents identified best practices in the development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) as required for families who have young children with disabilities, by Public Law 99-457, the Education of Handicapped Act Amendments (1986). NECTAS & Association for the Care of Children's Health, (1991), 200 pp. (approx.) Available from: NECTAC (photocopy), $15.00; and ERIC, ERIC (No. ED336907) CBAM (Concerns-Based Adoption Model) Loucks, S. Presents a framework to describe changes people undergo as they adopt new programs, and how they can be helped to make those changes in an effective, efficient, and humanistic way. TADS Outreach Series, Paper #2, (1983), 25 pp. Available from: NECTAC, $4.00; and ERIC, ERIC No: ED233524
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