Winter 1999 Volume 6, Issue 1
Official Newsletter of the Illinois Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Table of contents
- A Successful DEC Conference in Chicago
by Lynette Chandler - The next DEC International Early Childhood Conference
- A Big Thank You
- President's Message by Susan Maude
- Dear IDEC Member … thanks to Karen Sullivan
by Amy Santos - CEC Needs Your E-Mail Address
- Exciting News for IDEC Members
by Bernie Laumann and Debbie Bruns - More Exciting News for Student Members
- Questions about membership to DEC?
- OPPORTUNITIES. Graduate Study at the University of Illinois
- Sharing A Vision
A Successful DEC Conference in Chicago
by Lynette Chandler
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) International Early Childhood Conference on Children with Special Needs was held in Chicago on December 6-9. There were over 1800 participants in this conference. This was the 25th anniversary of the DEC conference and the celebration started with a wonderful reception hosted by Illinois DEC and the Illinois Sharing A Vision Early Childhood Conference. The bagpipe players who accompanied participants to the reception were a big success!
Of particular interest at this conference was the collaboration between Head Start, Child Care, and DEC. Several sessions were devoted to establishing linkages between agencies at federal and state levels. There also was a family strand and a family consortium, Town Hall Forum, research round tables, and sessions identified as "Been there, done that, didn't work: Practical solutions for everyday problems."
The DEC conference was a great success, thanks to the hard work of many individuals and organizations. Twenty committee chairs and over 150 volunteers from Illinois worked very hard to plan for the conference and worked during the conference. Volunteers worked at the registration, information, and CEU desks, hosted program meetings and workshops, hosted receptions and exhibits, prepared the conference packets, provided publicity for the conference, and provided services for individuals with special needs. Thank you to all of the volunteers for their assistance!
Return to topA big THANK YOU
A big THANK YOU to the following committee chairs and Sharing a Vision sponsoring agencies:
| Susan Maude Donna Nylander Karen Sullivan Bea Nichols Tweety Yates Sharon Doubet Char Ward Ruta Naujokas Kirsten Recupido Lisa Fisher |
Lynette Chandler Debbie Carter Chet Brandt Bernie Laumann Amy Santos Kris Rademacher Chris Lehl Micki Ostrosky Pam Reising-Rechner Greg Anderson |
| Illinois Division for Early Childhood Illinois State Board of Education STARNET Department of Human Services Great Lakes RAP Department of Child and Family Services Child Care Resource and Referral Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse Head Start Local Interagency Councils Illinois Colleges and Universities Illinois Family Members |
|
President's Message
by Susan Maude
Looking back at our newsletter a year ago, we predicted that 1998 was going to be a busy year...and it certainly was! Two major initiatives guided our work last year. Our first effort and a majority of our personpower was focused on supporting the executive offices of DEC and the international conference planning committee in our role as a coordinators and facilitators of local arrangements for the international conference held in Chicago this past December. Over 1800 individuals attended this conference and by all reports a successful conference ensued. This conference was certainly a major effort by Illinois DEC and heartfelt thanks to the multitude of individuals from Illinois who helped out. A big pat on the back is extended to the chairs of the committees and the countless number of volunteers. Feedback from the executive board was very complimentary - and we deserve it! Be sure to read Lynette's summary in this issue.
During the conference, we held our annual meeting and were quite please with the number of individuals who attended. Although brief, we were able to introduce ourselves and encourage new attendees to consider participation on various opportunities. In fact, we will be looking for candidates to consider running for two offices this spring (secretary and vice-president). If you are interested and /or would like to discuss more about this wonderful opportunity, please feel free to contact Donna Nylander, Past President and Chairperson, Nominating Committee at
630/428-6286 (work phone)
or via email at:
Donna_Nylander@ipsd.org
If you volunteered with the International DEC conference and want another opportunity for fun, fun, fun OR were not able to volunteer but would like to, we encourage your participation in our next endeavor, the Sharing A Vision (SAV) conference. We will continue to need support of volunteers, like yourself, so please check the announcement about SAV and let us know of your availability!
We will continue to focus on our second major effort, increasing membership within DEC. Please note that DEC is offering incentives to encourage your help in recruiting new members. Please read the report from our membership chairs.
In closing, I truly want to convey my personal and the international organization's thanks to all Illinois DEC members who assisted with the conference. We certainly were able to show them what "Sweet Home Chicago" was all about!
Susan may reached at:
Return to top46 Lookout Trace
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-0152 (voice)
815-777-2652 (fax)
SusanMaude@aol.com
Dear IDEC Member,
I want to take this opportunity to thank KAREN SULLIVAN for all her hard work in making sure that we have the latest information about IDEC and its various activities.
At our IDEC board meeting last year, Karen officially passed on the baton to me as Newsletter Chair. I plan to continue the work she has done and keep up with the quality she has set.
Next time you see her, make sure to thank her for a job well done. We wish her well in all her endeavors!
Sincerely,
Amy Santos
IDEC Newsletter Chair
CEC Needs Your E-MAIL Address
Send an email to: mbrship@cec.sped.org
Include: 1) your name, 2) your CEC ID number and 3) your e-mail address
All these information will be added to your membership record
Return to topExciting News for IDEC Members
By Bernie Laumann and Debbie Bruns
Welcome to all our new members to IDEC! Our membership list continues to grow. As of December 31, 1998 we have 320 active DEC members. As you know if you attended the International Division for Early Childhood Conference last December in Chicago, IDEC had a colorful poster display designed by Debbie Bruns, our student representative. We would like our membership list to grow even more so please tell friends and colleagues about the benefits of joining IDEC.
One very exciting membership benefit is a subscription to the new journal Young Exceptional Children. The articles in this journal are written for early childhood special education professionals who want to grow professionally through learning about new techniques, strategies, and methods for working with young children with special needs and their families. The articles are practical, timely, and can easily be shared with other professionals, parents, and paraprofessionals. Administrators can use these articles as part of their staff development. Teacher educators have incorporated them into college coursework.
If you are renewing your membership and you have an e-mail address, please include it on your membership renewal form. We would like to share IDEC information with our members via e-mail. It is also a "paperless" way to remind folks when it is time to renew their membership.
You can also access DEC's website at www.dec-sped.org to find out about the latest division news and events.
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Professional Growth and Development
If you want to learn more about new research and practice, look no further than the DEC annual conference. Meet prominent researchers and practitioners in the field while visiting exciting cities around the country. The conference is also an excellent place to network with other students, professionals, and families.The International CEC convention as well the state conferences also offer many of the latest advances in the ECSE field. Sessions encourage participation and often include hands-on opportunities to learn more about intervention for young children with special needs.
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Discounts on DEC Products and Conferences
If you want to keep up-to-date and are on a limited budget, IDEC membership offers discounts on a variety of videos, books, and registration fees. -
Career Opportunities
If you want to land a job in early childhood special education, let your IDEC membership offer a helping hand. Become a leading practitioner in Illinois by networking at state conferences and with university faculty.
With all these reasons to become a member of IDEC, why wait a minute longer??
Return to topMore Exciting News for Student Members
If you are reading this you are a member of IDEC. Isn't it time to spread the word?? Being a student member of IDEC offers many advantages and opportunities.
- Cutting Edge Information
If you want cutting edge information in the field of early childhood special education, look no further. In addition to the Journal of Early Intervention, Young Exceptional Children provides effective strategies and how-to tips for every age range and developmental concern.
Questions about membership to DEC?
Contact your local chapter OR Bernie Laumann at 217/333-0260 (email: blaumann@uiuc.edu)
OR Becky Cook at 217/581-5315 (email: cfrjc@eiu.edu)
Questions about student membership to DEC? Contact Debbie Bruns at 217/333-4123 (email: da-bruns@uiuc.edu)
Return to topOPPORTUNITIES. Graduate Study at the University of Illinois
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Special Education offers preparation at the master's and doctoral levels for students interested in pursuing advanced training with young children and their families.
The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program emphasizes principles reflecting family-centered, interdisciplinary, community-based, and inclusive perspectives. Students may combine training in ECSE with the early childhood program offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to obtain teacher certification, birth through age 8, with a concentration in special education. Doctoral programs in each department encourage students to pursue individual interests related to all young children.
Applicants from a variety of academic and professional background are encouraged to apply. Some financial assistance may be available to students interested in graduate study. UIUC has a long history and an international reputation for the quality of its graduate training program in ECSE
For additional information contact Dr. Michaelene Ostrosky or Dr. Tess Bennett in the Department of Special Education, 288 Education, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820; (217) 333-0260.
Return to topSharing A Vision
Mark your Calendars NOW!
Sharing A Vision is "Making it Happen" this year!
November 1, 2 and 3, 1999
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Springfield, IL
Remember last time when you waited until the very last minute? Register early!
Early bird registration deadline: 8/1/99
Regular registration deadline: 10/1/99
For more information contact:
Susan Ferry at 217-824-4776 or SDFERRY@aol.com
Don't miss out on what everyone in Illinois is buzzing about...
