The SpecialQuest Birth–Five: Head Start/Hilton Foundation Training Program was funded by the Office of Head Start in October 2007. One of the major goals of SpecialQuest Birth–Five is to work with ten State Leadership Teams to embed the SpecialQuest approach, materials and resources into their state systems to promote high quality inclusive services for young children birth–five with disabilities and their families. The State Leadership Teams were selected and began their work in February of 2008.
Each of the ten State Leadership Teams has diverse cross-systems representation from their states. Members of each of the teams include family members of young children with disabilities and representatives from their SpecialQuest State Leadership Team Communities. Two SpecialQuest Coaches support each team.
In July 2009, four representatives from each of the ten State Leadership Teams attended a SpecialQuest Intensive training on the SpecialQuest approach and materials, and the National Inclusion Institute in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Inclusion Institute offered participants the chance to learn about quality practices and resources available on early care and education inclusion as well as network with parents and professionals from other states striving to improve inclusive practices for children and families. Following these events, eight of the ten State Leadership teams, in collaboration with SpecialQuest Birth–Five staff and SpecialQuest consultants, planned for and facilitated a series of Training of Trainers events during July–September 2009. The remaining two State Leadership Teams will hold Training of Trainer events in the coming months.
As we enter into the third and final year of our work with the teams, we are proud to share highlights that are specific to each of the State Leadership Teams. These highlights span over the second year of SpecialQuest. We invite you to take a few moments to review the accomplishments of the ten SpecialQuest Birth–Five State Leadership Teams and their Team Communities!
