Division for Early Childhood -
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DEC Vision & Mission

To cultivate a society where inclusion and belonging is a lived reality for young children and their families across a diverse diaspora that embraces, celebrates, and empowers them to be actively engaged in their communities.

It is the collective responsibility of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children to center the needs and realities of those who are most negatively impacted by systemic inequity. We advance and shape leadership, research, policy, and practice that supports, engages, and informs those who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children with or at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC works to identify, interrogate, and dismantle systemic inequities so that young children and their families thrive.

News

President Releases FFY 2027 Budget - DEC Supports Maintaining All Parts of IDEA at the Department of Education

DEC Supports Maintaining All Parts of IDEA at the Department of Education DEC Members and Partners, We will begin by saying that we are very concerned about the funding of early childhood programs across the landscape as outlined in the President’s FFY 2027 Budget Request. This information is shared with a call for action that is not just for today but ongoing as it will take all of us to ensure that critical early childhood programs are accessible to families. While we appre

Now Accepting Applications: Join a DEC Committee!

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is now accepting applications for open committee positions across nine of our active committees. The details of each committee's call and application links are available below. This is a valuable opportunity to shape the future of DEC while collaborating with others who are dedicated to promoting equitable, inclusive, and high-quality practices in early childhood special education and early intervention. Applications are open now through

Share Your Voice! Call for Input on the DEC/NAEYC Inclusion Position Statement Revisions

DEC and NAEYC are revising the 2009 Joint Position Statement on Early Childhood Inclusion to reflect current research and practice. We’re now in the final phase of feedback and invite you to review the draft and share your input. Your perspective will help ensure the statement reflects the needs of the field and supports inclusive practices for young children with disabilities. Feedback is open through Monday, April 27th, 2026. Review the draft and complete the survey here. D