Purpose
The Maine Division for Early Childhood (MDEC) is a non-profit membership organization designed for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families. Children with special needs include those who have disabilities, developmental delays, are gifted/talented, or are at risk of future developmental problems. Founded in 1973, the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is dedicated to promoting policies and practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children.
Goals
The MDEC and its members are committed to:
Promoting family-professional partnerships in all aspects of planning, designing, and implementing early intervention services.
Advocating for comprehensive, coordinated, easily accessible early intervention services.
Advocating for full access for young children with special needs and their families to early care and all educational and community opportunities.
Promoting respect for children and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds in early intervention service delivery.
Educating state policy-makers and the public about the needs of infants and young children with special needs and their families.
Supporting those who work with or on behalf of young children and their families by promoting:
Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication among organizations, practitioners and family members.
Innovations in research and development of new knowledge;
Dissemination and use of information about research, resources, best practices and current issues; and
Professional development through an array of activities and strategies.
How to Join Us
To join DEC you must also join the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). DEC is one of 17 Divisions of CEC.
Online—www.cec.sped.org/
By Phone—1(888)232-7733 (1-888-CEC-SPED)
By Mail—You may complete the proper online application form, print it and send it with your payment to
The Council for Exceptional Children
P.O. Box 79026
Baltimore, MD 21279-0026
For More Information
Contact Martie Kendrick (207-892-0455 or Martie.Kendrick@umit.maine.edu) or Sandy Doctoroff (207-581-1437 or sandra.doctoroff@umit.maine.edu). Maine DEC website address: http://www.umaine.edu/mdec/
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