Newsletter Archive
Newsletter Issue 14: 05/21/09
SpecialQuest Birth–Five Newsletter
It's an exciting time for Early Childhood! As stated by the Office of the Press Secretary for the President of the United States, "the President and the administration feel very strongly that early childhood education done in a high-quality way is crucially important and have provided additional funds...for early childhood education." The Inclusion Institute this July will provide participants with the opportunity to problem solve and learn from others about how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds can help state or local programs promote inclusive services and supports for young children with disabilities.
Do you want to get the inside scoop? Attend the
Yes We Can: New Opportunities for Young Children with Disabilities and their Families
We'll be at the Inclusion Institute and hope to see you there!
susan.stewart@specialquest.org
707-548-4910
Spotlight: Family and Child Education (FACE) Embraces the SpecialQuest Approach and Materials
Colleen Alivado had a vision for bringing the SpecialQuest approach and materials to the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Family and Child 
Education (FACE) programs. As a result of Colleen's vision, Cheryl Ducey and Aracelly Valverde from SpecialQuest Birth-Five were invited to partner with the Bureau of Indian Education's FACE staff and consultants in developing the structure and content of the annual FACE conference. One day of the conference was dedicated to engaging participants in learning about the SpecialQuest approach and materials. In addition, participants developed Action Plans which address:
- building relationships,
- facilitating team-building and collaboration, and
- providing timely support to families of children with special needs.
A beautiful quilt was designed to reflect the partnership between FACE and SpecialQuest. The quilt was crafted by a mother of a child with a disability and theparent educator from the Alamo Navajo Early Childhood program. SpecialQuest is honored to partner with FACE and delighted to receive the quilt.
Colleen Alivado is the Early Childhood Director of the Alamo Navajo Head Start program. She is also a graduate of SpecialQuest and a current member of the New Mexico SpecState Leadership Team. Colleen was instrumental in inviting BIE FACE director, Debra Lente-Jojola, to join the New Mexico State Leadership Team
The SpecialQuest State Leadership Teams have been hard at work! Many of them have
- developed publications to promote awareness of inclusion and SpecialQuest.
- held regional or state activities focusing on inclusive practices and the use of the SpecialQuest approach and materials
SpecialQuest Birth-Five has invited each State Leadership Team to select up to four representatives to attend a SpecialQuest Intensive. The purpose of the Intensive is to help states build capacity for using the SpecialQuest approach, materials, and resources in professional development activities on inclusion.
Eight of the ten State Leadership Teams have elected to conduct Training of Trainers activities facilitated by SpecialQuest consultants. These activities will support local/regional training efforts for inclusion.
More Transition Resources
In the Resource Bank:
- A summary of the transition discussion with Beth Rous
- Policy analysis and six states' efforts to meet IDEA requirements for transition
In the Transition Research to Practice Discussion Forum:
- Free web-based handbooks, family stories, recommended practices, analysis of transition research
Yes We Can: New Opportunities for Young Children with Disabilities and their Families
At the Inclusion Institute you will be able to:
- learn about the latest research findings and resources to guide inclusive policy, professional development and practice;
- develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems to support early childhood inclusion;
- gain awareness of strategies and models to support inclusive services; and
- meet, learn from and problem solve with peers.
A New Look!
The full description of the SpecialQuest Approach has been reformatted. The self-assessment guides for faculty and trainers will also have an updated look soon.
National Leadership SpecialQuest
State Leadership Team Members and SpecialQuest Ambassadors will convene in Denver, CO, April 26-28, 2010.
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