	The Kansas Division for Early Childhood
Home Constitution/ Bylaws Links Newsletter KDEC Conference Officers Policies	Newsletter Fall 2007 Presidents Message: This newsletter should find you in the midst of fall festivities! With the KDEC annual conference just around the corner, the KDEC board hopes that you are looking forward to a great time just as we are! This is our 26th year of KDEC and the conference will continue to help us all celebrate our profession by learning new skills, making new friends, and networking with colleagues. The title of the conference says it well-- “Positive Outcomes for All”. We hope that the speakers and the presentations will help you not only provide positive outcomes for your children, but also get positive outcomes for yourself! Read the full story. A Message for KDEC Membership KDEC 2008 Conference The KDEC 2008 conference is coming up. This year, the KDEC annual conference, “Positive Outcomes for All!” will be held in Wichita, Kansas at the Wichita Hilton Airport Executive Conference Center March 6-7, 2008. We are excited to have two great keynotes and several featured speakers. Dr. Winnie Dunn will join us on March 6, 2008. Dr. Dunn, professor & chair of the department of occupational therapy education, university of Kansas medical center has just published a popular press book titled: Living Sensationally: Understanding your senses. In addition, Dr. Dunn is the author of the Sensory Profile family of products which includes the Sensory Profile, Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile, Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, and the new Sensory Profile School Companion. Read the full story. We Welcome Membership Involvement at the 2008 Conference! Are you friendly, outgoing and willing to make a difference by assisting your fellow KDEC members? If you answered “YES,” then we need you to join the ranks of other KDEC members who volunteer their time to ensure that the Kansas Division for Early Childhood continues to be the most informative, educational and inspiring event year after year. Read the full story. MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER!! Summary of the 2007 KDEC Conference Several hundred participants gathered in Wichita to collaborate – i.e. make beautiful music together! “Bongo Barry Bernstein" started us off well by giving us a ‘beat’ to learn by. Kathy Snow helped us see our work from a parent’s perspective. The result was an energized group who went on to sessions about school readiness, learning about evaluation and assessment, family supports, and coaching. KDEC once again collaborated with Head Start to provide a collaboration conference strand. Overall, the conference went well and was a collaborative learning experience for all who attended. Thank you for your time on the KDEC Board! We would like to take the time to say thank you to our 2007 outgoing board members. Your time, energy and dedication are greatly appreciated. Outgoing President Jennifer Tasset served 4 year Presidential rotation from 2002-2006 Outgoing Secretary Jennifer Oborny for Service 2005-2007 Outgoing Student Representative - Sanna Harjusola-Webb Kansas Division For Early Childhood –Board Nominations The Nominations and Elections Committee of KDEC is soliciting recommendations from the membership for the offices of Presidential Rotation and Secretary beginning July 2008. Self-nomination is encouraged. The Presidential Rotation Position requires a commitment of 4 years with a rotation of 1 year each in the positions of Vice-President, President-Elect, President, and Past-President. The Secretary position requires a two-year commitment. All nominees must be current KDEC members at the time of nomination and throughout the commitment and nominations must be received by December 20, 2007. Please email or send your nominations (name, position, address, phone, e-mail, and your name) to: KDEC nominations Committee, c/o Dale Walker, Juniper Gardens Children's Project, 650 Minnesota Ave. 2nd floor, Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: 913-321-3143, e-mail: walkerd@ku.edu Meet our Vice President Cindy will serve a four year term which will include Vice-President, President Elect, President and Past President My name is Cindy Kongs and I am looking forward to serving as KDEC Vice President. I am currently working as an educational consultant, which includes presenting in-services in the use of the Assessment Evaluation Programming Systems. I hold degrees in elementary education, learning disabilities and early childhood disabilities. I worked as an early childhood disabilities teacher for thirteen years. My background in elementary education and learning disabilities has emphasized the importance of a quality early childhood experience. I envision my time on the KDEC board as a time to make a positive impact in the organization, the children it is intended to serve and the professionals who provide the services. Back to the top How to Contact Your KDEC 2007-2008 Board Members &Committee Representatives Click here to go to the full list. Spotlight – 2007 Mini Grant Project Parent Empowerment in Early Intervention Five parents who have experienced success in early intervention share their stories in a new video, Parent Empowerment in Early Intervention. The video was created for viewing by parents who are new to Part C services. Jane Eby, Research Assistant for Rainbows United, Inc., produced the video in collaboration with Rule Productions in Wichita in early 2007. Funding was provided by a mini-grant from KDEC and Wichita State University. The goal of the project was to capture a glimpse of early intervention from the parent’s point of view: first-hand accounts of parent discoveries, developing self-confidence and self-efficacy, learning to trust service providers, and transformation through the IFSP process. All of the parents received their early intervention through Rainbows United, Inc. Read the full story. 2008 KDEC Mini Grant Awards Congratulations to the following applicants for the Mini Grant Awards. These individuals and agencies were awarded $500 from KDEC: Click here for the full list. 2007 Awards from KDEC Congratulations to this group of dedicated individuals! 2007 Award of Excellence Award – Judith J. Carta, PhD 2007 Distinguished Service Provider Award - Jan Hathaway 2007 Outstanding Contributor Award: - Dale Dennis 2007 Direct Service Provider – DeAnna McCloud - 2007 Outstanding Student DEC Member - Amanda Tyrrel KDEC Award Nominations The KDEC Awards Committee NEEDS nominations from the field for five special awards to recognize individuals who have made important contributions to the field of early childhood special education/early intervention. Now is the time to give recognition to those who deserve it within our field. The five categories of awards include: Outstanding Contributor Award, Direct Service Provider Award, Award of Excellence, Distinguished Service Provider Award, Outstanding Student DEC Member Award. For further detail, read the full story. KDEC Focus on Membership The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is an international professional organization designed for professionals and families associated with infants and young children with special needs. It was formed as a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in 1973. The Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) is a state subdivision of the International Division for Early Childhood and began in 1982. Our subdivision is seeking persons to be part of this organization. Read the full story. Student Membership Hello Students!! As you know, the 2008 KDEC Conference is coming up. Over the past few years, student involvement has increased and I would love to see that continue! We will again have a poster session, so please consider submitting a proposal to present a poster. It can be targeted to parents, researcher, teachers, or other professionals or community members. The basic requirement is simply that it contains information about children ages birth 5 years old. Besides being an excellent way to share what we are doing with conference attendees, this is a great opportunity to expend our experiences and build our vitas. Read the full story. Early Learning Document A collaborative group is now training across the state on the Kansas Early Learning document. This document includes standards and guidelines for children ages birth to five years. The training is being provided by members of KSDE, SRS, and KITS staff. Please go to the KITS website, www.kskits.org to find dates and locations for future trainings. NOTE: A session at the KDEC conference will be training on the document! If you have questions about the KDEC NEWSBRIEF contact us at newsletter@kdec.org Download this newsletter as a PDF or Word Document Back to the top

The Kansas Division for Early Childhood

Newsletter Fall 2007

Presidents Message:

This newsletter should find you in the midst of fall festivities! With the KDEC annual conference just around the corner, the KDEC board hopes that you are looking forward to a great time just as we are!

This is our 26th year of KDEC and the conference will continue to help us all celebrate our profession by learning new skills, making new friends, and networking with colleagues. The title of the conference says it well-- “Positive Outcomes for All”. We hope that the speakers and the presentations will help you not only provide positive outcomes for your children, but also get positive outcomes for yourself! Read the full story.

A Message for KDEC Membership

KDEC 2008 Conference

The KDEC 2008 conference is coming up. This year, the KDEC annual conference, “Positive Outcomes for All!” will be held in Wichita, Kansas at the Wichita Hilton Airport Executive Conference Center March 6-7, 2008. We are excited to have two great keynotes and several featured speakers.

Dr. Winnie Dunn will join us on March 6, 2008. Dr. Dunn, professor & chair of the department of occupational therapy education, university of Kansas medical center has just published a popular press book titled: Living Sensationally: Understanding your senses. In addition, Dr. Dunn is the author of the Sensory Profile family of products which includes the Sensory Profile, Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile, Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, and the new Sensory Profile School Companion. Read the full story.

We Welcome Membership Involvement at the 2008 Conference!

Are you friendly, outgoing and willing to make a difference by assisting your fellow KDEC members? If you answered “YES,” then we need you to join the ranks of other KDEC members who volunteer their time to ensure that the Kansas Division for Early Childhood continues to be the most informative, educational and inspiring event year after year. Read the full story.

MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER!!

Summary of the 2007 KDEC Conference

Several hundred participants gathered in Wichita to collaborate – i.e. make beautiful music together! “Bongo Barry Bernstein" started us off well by giving us a ‘beat’ to learn by. Kathy Snow helped us see our work from a parent’s perspective. The result was an energized group who went on to sessions about school readiness, learning about evaluation and assessment, family supports, and coaching. KDEC once again collaborated with Head Start to provide a collaboration conference strand. Overall, the conference went well and was a collaborative learning experience for all who attended.

Thank you for your time on the KDEC Board!

We would like to take the time to say thank you to our 2007 outgoing board members. Your time, energy and dedication are greatly appreciated.

Outgoing President Jennifer Tasset served 4 year
Presidential rotation from 2002-2006
Outgoing Secretary Jennifer Oborny for Service 2005-2007
Outgoing Student Representative - Sanna Harjusola-Webb

Kansas Division For Early Childhood –Board Nominations

The Nominations and Elections Committee of KDEC is soliciting recommendations from the membership for the offices of Presidential Rotation and Secretary beginning July 2008. Self-nomination is encouraged. The Presidential Rotation Position requires a commitment of 4 years with a rotation of 1 year each in the positions of Vice-President, President-Elect, President, and Past-President. The Secretary position requires a two-year commitment. All nominees must be current KDEC members at the time of nomination and throughout the commitment and nominations must be received by December 20, 2007. Please email or send your nominations (name, position, address, phone, e-mail, and your name) to: KDEC nominations Committee, c/o Dale Walker, Juniper Gardens Children's Project, 650 Minnesota Ave. 2nd floor, Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: 913-321-3143, e-mail: walkerd@ku.edu

Meet our Vice President

Cindy will serve a four year term which will include Vice-President, President Elect, President and Past President

My name is Cindy Kongs and I am looking forward to serving as KDEC Vice President. I am currently working as an educational consultant, which includes presenting in-services in the use of the Assessment Evaluation Programming Systems. I hold degrees in elementary education, learning disabilities and early childhood disabilities. I worked as an early childhood disabilities teacher for thirteen years. My background in elementary education and learning disabilities has emphasized the importance of a quality early childhood experience. I envision my time on the KDEC board as a time to make a positive impact in the organization, the children it is intended to serve and the professionals who provide the services.

Back to the top

How to Contact Your KDEC 2007-2008 Board Members &Committee Representatives

Click here to go to the full list.

Spotlight – 2007 Mini Grant Project

Parent Empowerment in Early Intervention

Five parents who have experienced success in early intervention share their stories in a new video, Parent Empowerment in Early Intervention. The video was created for viewing by parents who are new to Part C services. Jane Eby, Research Assistant for Rainbows United, Inc., produced the video in collaboration with Rule Productions in Wichita in early 2007. Funding was provided by a mini-grant from KDEC and Wichita State University. The goal of the project was to capture a glimpse of early intervention from the parent’s point of view: first-hand accounts of parent discoveries, developing self-confidence and self-efficacy, learning to trust service providers, and transformation through the IFSP process. All of the parents received their early intervention through Rainbows United, Inc. Read the full story.

2008 KDEC Mini Grant Awards

Congratulations to the following applicants for the Mini Grant Awards. These individuals and agencies were awarded $500 from KDEC: Click here for the full list.

2007 Awards from KDEC

Congratulations to this group of dedicated individuals!

2007 Award of Excellence Award – Judith J. Carta, PhD

2007 Distinguished Service Provider Award - Jan Hathaway

2007 Outstanding Contributor Award: - Dale Dennis

2007 Direct Service Provider – DeAnna McCloud -

2007 Outstanding Student DEC Member - Amanda Tyrrel

KDEC Award Nominations

The KDEC Awards Committee NEEDS nominations from the field for five special awards to recognize individuals who have made important contributions to the field of early childhood special education/early intervention. Now is the time to give recognition to those who deserve it within our field. The five categories of awards include: Outstanding Contributor Award, Direct Service Provider Award, Award of Excellence, Distinguished Service Provider Award, Outstanding Student DEC Member Award. For further detail, read the full story.

KDEC Focus on Membership

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is an international professional organization designed for professionals and families associated with infants and young children with special needs. It was formed as a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in 1973. The Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) is a state subdivision of the International Division for Early Childhood and began in 1982. Our subdivision is seeking persons to be part of this organization. Read the full story.

Student Membership

Hello Students!!

As you know, the 2008 KDEC Conference is coming up. Over the past few years, student involvement has increased and I would love to see that continue! We will again have a poster session, so please consider submitting a proposal to present a poster. It can be targeted to parents, researcher, teachers, or other professionals or community members. The basic requirement is simply that it contains information about children ages birth 5 years old. Besides being an excellent way to share what we are doing with conference attendees, this is a great opportunity to expend our experiences and build our vitas. Read the full story.

Early Learning Document

A collaborative group is now training across the state on the Kansas Early Learning document. This document includes standards and guidelines for children ages birth to five years. The training is being provided by members of KSDE, SRS, and KITS staff. Please go to the KITS website, www.kskits.org to find dates and locations for future trainings. NOTE: A session at the KDEC conference will be training on the document!

If you have questions about the KDEC NEWSBRIEF contact us at newsletter@kdec.org

Download this newsletter as a PDF or Word Document

Back to the top