Following are some of the new and exciting things DEC is involved in right now. Please check back as this page is updated frequently!

What is the DEC Board up to?

DEC's Executive Board, Committee Chairs, Editors and Staff (collectively called "Governance") will meet June 10, 2008 to discuss upcoming and ongoing business. View the Governance's June Meeting Agenda.

The DEC Governance meets regularly to discuss initiatives and administrative business of the organization. You may view the approved minutes from past meetings by clicking the links below. Our Governance stays very busy!

• April 2008 Meeting Minutes
• February 2008 Meeting Minutes
• December 2007 Meeting Minutes
• October 2007 Meeting Minutes
• August 2007 Meeting Minutes

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A DEC Success Story

DEC is pleased to announce the first in a series of stories as part of the DEC Success Story initiative. Click here to read this success story. The DEC success stories are designed to illustrate the link between evidence-based practice and positive child and family outcomes. The idea for the series emerged as part of a DEC board retreat in which board members were looking for a way to share the authentic experiences of children and families enrolled in early education and intervention programs and those of the professionals who served them, while also featuring specific intervention practices that were known to be effective.

The stories submitted by families and professionals are based on actual events and reflect the authentic views and experiences of those depicted. Each story includes resources that provide additional information about how to implement the practice as well as evidence related to the effectiveness of the practice.

The first story in the series describes how a young girl named Tess benefited from a storybook intervention designed by her mother and teacher. Future stories will describe other evidence-based practices from the perspectives of professionals as well as families. We hope you enjoy our first story!

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Award Nominations are due August 1

DEC is now accepting nominations for our 2008 professional awards. Spread the word and encourage colleagues and friends to submit nominations!

Complete nomination information can be found here.

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Executive Board Nominations are due August 15

DEC is accepting nominations for officers to the Executive Board for FY 2009/2010. Vacancies include Vice President, Secretary, Governor, and two Member-at-Large positions. DEC seeks members who:

1. Want to be involved with the organization for those who work for young children with special needs and their families
2. Strive to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families
3. Look for challenging and rewarding ways to contribute.
4. Seek to make a lasting contribution to the field

For more information about available Board positions, click here. To nominate a colleague (or yourself), send name, contact information, and brief description of qualifications to:

Mark Innocenti
Utah State University
Center for Persons with Disabilities
6580 University Blvd.
Logan, UT 84322
minno@eiri.usu.edu

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