Conference Dates and Times

The 2007 OSEP National Conference was held on Monday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 5. A pre-conference workshop on early childhood outcomes was held Saturday, December 1. Additionally, pre-conference meetings occurred on Sunday, December 2nd for: State ICC Chairs, Members and Staff; Part C Coordinators; Section 619 Coordinators; and an orientation for first-time conference attendees.

Post-conference workshops and a meeting for Pacific Basin Early Childhood Representatives was held on Wednesday afternoon, December 5.

Conference Goals

• To gain knowledge and appreciation of the current requirements under IDEA  for Part C and Section 619, and for Part C, the possible implications of the new regulations.
• To gain a better understanding of research findings and the use of successful evidence based practices related to U.S. Department of Education goals and initiatives.
• To acquire resources that will support the use of data to improve practice and accountability in the implementation of the IDEA.
• To build relationships and acquire strategies for strengthening and expanding collaborative partnerships with and among families and others in policy development and systems improvement at the federal, state and local levels.
• To gain a sense of confidence, energy and achievement for continued work on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs and their families.

Who Attended?

The 2007 Conference was intended for a variety of audiences involved in planning and delivering services to young children with special needs (birth through age 8) and their families. Participants included:

• State Part C coordinators and staff such as CSPD coordinators
• State Section 619 coordinators and staff
• State ICC chairs, members and staff
• Early Childhood Projects staff
• National/regional/state technical assistance (TA) providers
• OSEP and other federal agency staff
• Parents of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who have knowledge of IDEA and are serving in leadership positions. Examples include: parent representatives on local and state Interagency Coordinating Councils, Special Education Advisory Panels or other advisory boards and representatives from Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs), Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), and Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs).
• Partners from the early childhood community, including child care, Early Head Start, Maternal and Child Health, Social Services, etc.

Sponsorship

This conference was sponsored by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Programs (OSEP). It was planned collaboratively with a Conference Planning Committee representing diverse interests and perspectives and the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).