Special Education Information and Advocacy Resources
Enhance Learning
At STAR NET, we believe that access to high-quality resources empowers educators, caregivers, and families to support young children in reaching their fullest potential. Search our Recommended Resources for more.
Apraxia Kids
Helping children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) find their voice- through education, research, and support networks. They provide training and educational opportunities for professionals and families, and online resources that include information on understanding apraxia, insurance issues, diagnosis and treatment, education, support resources, and a library featuring more than 250 articles on dozens of topics related to children with apraxia of speech. Information is also available in Spanish.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
A central “Hub” of information for the network of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), CPIR provides information and support to families of children with disabilities in the US and Territories.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. The website includes a wide range of related topics, professional practice guidance tools, and resources.
Council of Parents’ Attorneys and Advocates(COPAA)
A non-profit organization of parent advocates and attorneys working to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families.
Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)-Recommended Practices
The DEC Recommended Practices bridge the gap between research and practice, to provide guidance to practitioners and families about the most effective ways to improve learning outcomes and promote the development of young children, birth through age 5, who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. These practices consist of eight domains: leadership, assessment, environment, family, instruction, interaction, teaming and collaboration, and transition and have been shown to result in better outcomes for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Early childhood special education services for children, three through five years of age and their families, are provided through local school districts and special education cooperatives. Professionals with training and expertise in special education services implement the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B, by supporting the educational needs of young children and families. Early childhood special education professionals and related services personnel provide specialized educational services to children with disabilities in a variety of settings such as early childhood, preschool, child care, prekindergarten/Preschool for All, Head Start and other early childhood settings to meet the developmental learning needs of these children. In addition, families and early childhood providers may request information about appropriate expectations for children’s development.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
The ECTA Center is a national technical assistance center focused on building state and local system capacity to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. ECTA Center is funded by a cooperative agreement with the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).supports state Part C and Section 619 programs in developing high-quality early intervention and preschool special education service systems, increasing local implementation of evidence-based practices, and enhancing outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families.
EARLY CHOICES – Understanding Inclusion Series
The Understanding Inclusion series contains 6 topics that explore key ideas about inclusion in early childhood. The series covers a range of topics from defining inclusion to understanding the benefits to advocating for inclusion. Developed for families with family input, it is just as meaningful and useful for practitioners working with families who have children from birth to 5.