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State and federal organizations providing oversight of and services to children and families with disabilities, regulatory agencies and advocacy groups are found here. Key organizations in this area include the California Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Education and the Department of Social Services.
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Able National Resource Center (ANRC)
Able National Resource Center is a collaborative whose supporters share the goal of accelerating the design and availability of ABLE accounts for the benefit of individuals with disabilities and their…
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Americans with Disabilities Act and Child Care (ADA): A Parent’s Guide (PDF)
This material was adapted by Abby Cohen, JD, with permission from materials developed by the Child Care Law Center in San Francisco, California and includes information on the Americans with…
Translations: Spanish
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ADA National Network
Funded by the US Department of Education, this web page is dedicated to the Anniversary of the ADA. It includes an ADA Anniversary Tool Kit and ADA training materials.
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Publications and videos that answer these questions and more: What is the ADA? Who is a person with a disability? Who must comply with the ADA? Where can you call…
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California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the agency through which the state of California provides services and supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities. These disabilities include…
Translations: Spanish
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California Department of Education: After School and Out-of-School Time
Expanded Learning Division Sept 2018 | Phone: 916-319-0923 California’s Expanded Learning programs are an integral part of young people’s education, engaging them in year-round learning opportunities that prepare them for…
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California Department of Education: Streaming Video Subscription Service – Now Available Free!
“Due to the ongoing need for virtual resources, the CDE Streaming Video Subscription Service is now available at no cost! The website is currently being updated to provide free and…
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California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD)
On September 18, 2018 the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division (CDE/ELCD), formerly the Early Education and Support Division, announced its new name and the 2018-2023 Strategic…
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California Department of Fair Employment And Housing
The mission of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, and from the perpetration…
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California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC)
The California Department of Managed Health Care website provides information on laws and activities of the Department of Managed Care. It includes: Health Care Help and Information 1-888-466-2219-answers questions related…
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California Department of Social Services, Child Care Transition, The Early Childhood Development Grant of 2020
The Early Childhood Development Grant of 2020 transferred many child care program previously under the California Department of Education to the California Department of Social Services. This web page explains…
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California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division
The State of California regulates child care in an effort to protect the health and safety of participating children’s personal rights. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care…
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California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) provides child welfare professionals with easy access to vital information about selected child welfare related programs. The primary task of the CEBC…
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California Health and Human Services Agency
The California Health and Human Services Agency oversees departments and offices that provide a wide range of services in the areas of health care, mental health, public health, alcohol and…
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Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs
This updated version of COVID-19 guidance for Early Care and Education (ECE) programs, including child care centers, home-based programs and family child care, Head Start, and other pre-kindergarten programs, outlines…
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Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Helping Children Transition Back to School
Transitioning back to early childhood programs or school— or starting them for the first time—can create extra challenges during a pandemic. Learn what parents and teachers can do to help…
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Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers
COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through, and communicate about. The materials on this page were created to help make communicating about COVID-19 a little easier. Choose from videos, posters,…
Translations: Spanish
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Inclusive Early Education for Children with Disabilities Program Overview
This web page provides background information on inclusion and links to CDE’s Early Education Division inclusion efforts associated with the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Grant Program (IEEEP).
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Inclusive Early Education Resources
The CDE’s EED launched a web page dedicated to resources to support the field of early education professional and families of children with disabilities to increase identification, access, participation and…
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Key Web Pages on Serving Children with Disabilities Serving Children with Disabilities FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding California state law relating to serving children with disabilities (CWD) in California State Preschool Programs (CSPP).
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California Department of Education’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Framework (MTSS)
California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (CA MTSS) is a comprehensive framework that aligns academic, behavioral, social and emotional learning, and mental health supports in a fully integrated system of support…
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Pathways to Partnership (P2P)
Pathways to Partnership (P2P), the California Department of  Education Special Education Resource Lead (SERL) for Alternative Dispute Resolution would like to announce the launch of their website and their Spring…
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California Department of Education Social and Emotional Learning (CDE-SEL) Newsletter
To get updates on California’s progress in supporting social and emotional learning sign up to get the CDE SEL newsletter for free! Send a blank email to: join-sel-planning@mlist.cde.ca.gov
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California Department of Education Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (T-SEL) in California
A 2021 research brief (PDF) issued by CASEL and the University of Michigan, states: Transformative SEL was introduced as a way to integrate an explicit equity and social justice lens…
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Updates to the Preschool Learning Foundations – Preschool Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations Pre-Recorded Webinar Preview (Video)
The California Department of Education (CDE), Early Education Division (EED) is sharing a pre-recorded webinar of the high-level updates to the Preschool Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations, which are California’s early…
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Universal Preschool (UPK) Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup Final Report
Pursuant to EC Section 8202.6, the Superintendent, in consultation with the Director of Social Services and the Executive Director of the State Board of Education (SBE), is required to convene a universal…
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California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year
The California Department Public Health (CDPH) this week issued a few updates to their school guidance. These updates include the timing of testing to exit quarantine and the use of…
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California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Clarification of Inclusion Services within Child Care Settings during COVID-19
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) sent an email on September 9, 2021The email provides guidance for serving children receiving specialized services: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, children with special…
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California Early Intervention Technical Assistance Network (CEITAN): California Early Start
CEITAN is the “home base” for the Early Start Comprehensive System of Personnel Development, a collaborative effort sponsored by the California Department of Developmental Services, planned in collaboration with the…
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Center for Disease Control (CDC) Updates and Additions to Child Care Provider Guidance on COVID-19
CDC’s Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19 and Toolkit for Child Care Programs now provide updated and additional information on vaccinations, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in children, and support for children…
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Chapter 7: Information on Least Restrictive Environments
Chapter 7 of the Special Education Rights and Responsibilities (SERR) with a focus on Least Restrictive Environments
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Child Care Accessibility: Agencies Can Further Coordinate to Better Serve Families with Disabilities
What GAO Found An estimated 2.2 million children aged 5 and under and 3 million parents of children in this age group have a reported disability, according to GAO’s analysis…
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Child Care and the ADA
Child care centers whether privately or publicly operated must conform to ADA standards in order to meet the needs of special children.This website is under the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Child Care Law Center
The Child Care Law Center (CCLC) is a national nonprofit legal services organization that uses legal tools to make high quality, affordable child care available to every child, every family…
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Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the general public to…
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Children with Disabilities Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The FAQs describe California state law related to serving children with disabilities in California State Preschool Programs (CSPP). The CDE staff are continuously updating the FAQs web page. Topics include: Definitions,…
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DaSy The Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems – Webinar: A Little Privacy Please? Safeguarding the Privacy of Young Children with Disabilities under IDEA and FERPA
This webinar featured privacy and legal experts from the U.S. Department of Education discussing answers to frequently asked questions related to privacy and confidentiality for IDEA early childhood programs. This…
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Disability Law Handbook
This handbook is a broad overview of rights and obligations under federal disability laws. Individual state laws may impose more stringent obligations. This handbook is intended to inform rather than…
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Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California works to bring about fairness and justice for people with disabilities. To reach those goals of fairness and justice, they may: file lawsuits on behalf of individuals…
Translations: Spanish
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Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
Founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is a national law and policy center dedicated…
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First 5 California (California Children and Families Commission)
Californians believe that our state’s children are a top priority. That’s why in 1998 voters passed Proposition 10, adding a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold to create…
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Head Start ECLKC: Services for Children Who Do Not Qualify for IDEA Fact Sheet
Head Start and Early Head Start programs need to serve children with disabilities who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, programs also need to…
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Head Start ECLKC: Services for Children Who Do Not Qualify for IDEA Fact Sheet
Head Start and Early Head Start programs need to serve children with disabilities who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, programs also need to…
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Helping Early Education Providers Support Children with Disabilities
WestEd partnered with the California Department of Education to conduct an evaluation of the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP), a statewide grant program in California designed to expand access…
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
New website as of summer 2017 Welcome to the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website, which brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department…
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IDEA 45th Anniversary
Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) (EHA), in 1975, to support states and localities in protecting the rights of, meeting the individual needs of,…
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IDEA: Building the Legacy of IDEA 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special…
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IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Resources from Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
Updated as of September 2018 in Spanish and English IDEA was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free…
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IDEAs That Work: Preparing children and youth with disabilities for success- Career and College Ready Standards (CCRS) from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) promotes inclusion, ensures equity and creates opportunity to improve results and outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults with disabilities…
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IEP’s – Resources on IEP’s for Students with Disabilities
Resources on individualized education programs (IEPs) to IEP’s improve instruction, assessment, and accountability for students with disabilities. This set of resources includes links to rules and regulations, resources to improve…
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Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program Evaluation Interim Evaluation Report
The Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP), a statewide grant program in California, distributes funds to local education agencies to implement efforts that increase access to inclusive early education settings…
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Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP)
The California Department of Education awarded Inclusive Early Education Expansion Grants (IEEEP) to increase access to inclusive early learning and care (ELC) programs for children with disabilities, including children with…
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Inclusive Early Education for Children with Disabilities Program Overview
This web page provides background information on inclusion and links to CDE’s Early Education Division inclusion efforts associated with the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Grant Program (IEEEP).
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Inclusive Early Education Resources
The CDE’s EED launched a web page dedicated to resources to support the field of early education professional and families of children with disabilities to increase identification, access, participation and…
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Report Series (5 Report Briefs)
NCD undertook this report series as an examination of the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and as a follow-up to a number of NCD’s prior education…
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Local Planning Councils
The primary mission of the Local Planning Councils (LPCs) is to plan for child care and development services based on the needs of families in the local community. LPCs are…
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Making Sound LRE Decisions in Preschool
The IEP process includes requirements and actions that ensure IEP teams have the information needed to discuss and consider access to and participation in high-quality inclusive settings for every young child with…
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Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDF)
Founded in 1968 MALDF is the nations leading non-profit Latino legal organization. MALDF promotes equality and justice through advocacy, litigation, public policy, and education in the areas of employment, immigrants’…
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National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) IDEA Parent Guide (PDF)
A Comprehensive Guide to your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)
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National Institutes of Health (NIH) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Research- based information and resources related to the health of children, adults, families and communities. Early Learning: Overview Video parent feedback program improves school readiness of children in poverty NIH…
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New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline
These newly released resources are the most comprehensive guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities concerning student discipline and build on the Department’s continued efforts to support students…
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Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP)
The Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) administers federal grants, contracts, and state programs designed to promote best practices and innovative approaches to child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment. The…
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Office of Child Care (OCC)
The Office of Child Care supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children’s learning by improving the quality of early care and education and afterschool programs.…
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Office of Early Learning
The Office of Early Learning (OEL) is the principal office charged with supporting the U.S. Department of Education’s Early Learning Initiative with the goal of improving the health, social-emotional, and…
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OSEP Fast Facts: Students with Disabilities Who are English Language Learners
National statistics associated with students with disabilities who are English language learners served under IDEA Part B are presented here along with the percentage change from 2012 by state.
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Pacific ADA Center
The purpose of the Pacific ADA Center is to build a partnership between the disability and business communities and to promote full and unrestricted participation in society for persons with…
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MCIE’s White Paper: Placement of Learners With Disabilities In the Least Restrictive Environment (PDF)
This 21-page document goes through the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (including amendments to the law), a thorough explanation of the LRE, case law that supports inclusive…
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MCIE’s White Paper: Placement of Learners With Disabilities In the Least Restrictive Environment (PDF)
This 21-page document goes through the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (including amendments to the law), a thorough explanation of the LRE, case law that supports inclusive…
Featured image for “Policy Statement on Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood – 2023 Update”
Policy Statement on Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood – 2023 Update
The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an updated joint-policy statement on supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs.…
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Quality Counts California: Raising the Quality of Early Learning and Care
Quality Counts California is a statewide system of locally implemented quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS), which helps to inform and connect parents and families to high-quality early learning and…
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Rightful Presence and Inclusive Early Education Programs as the First Consideration for Children with Disabilities (PDF)
This letter reaffirms expectations and underscores the urgency of ensuring rightful presence and considering early education programs as the first placement option for special education services and supports for children…
Featured image for “The Segregation of Students with Disabilities (PDF)”
The Segregation of Students with Disabilities (PDF)
This report describes the legal and scientific basis for an inclusive versus segregated education, summarizes national patterns for educating students with disabilities in general education classes, examines federal and state guidance,…
Featured image for “The Segregation of Students with Disabilities (PDF)”
The Segregation of Students with Disabilities (PDF)
This report describes the legal and scientific basis for an inclusive versus segregated education, summarizes national patterns for educating students with disabilities in general education classes, examines federal and state guidance,…
Featured image for “Special Edge Newsletter: Winter-Spring 2023: Working Toward the Promise of Inclusion and A Family Inclusion Story”
Special Edge Newsletter: Winter-Spring 2023: Working Toward the Promise of Inclusion and A Family Inclusion Story
The Special Edge is a publication of Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) under the Special Education Division of the California Department of Education. The stories in this issue of The Special…
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Special Education Rights and Responsibilities (SERR)
The Federal and California special education laws give eligible students with disabilities the right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This manual…
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State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive…
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Strengthening Families California
Strengthening Families™ is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs and…
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Swift National Center on Inclusion Toward Rightful Presence
This website was recommended by the California Department of Education in the December 4, 2024 letter from Tony Thurmond on the Rightful Presence and Inclusive Early Education Programs as the…
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Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national organization that focuses on legal advocacy for the civil rights and human dignity of people with mental illness.
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United States Access Board
The Access Board is an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a…
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United States Department of Justice
The USDOJ home page on the Americans with Disabilities Act has a wealth of information, including links to federal agencies with ADA responsibilities in addition to ADA publications. A “What’s…
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Unruh Civil Rights Act
The Unruh Civil Rights Act is California’s primary civil rights law that guarantees full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services in all business establishments to all persons regardless…
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US Department of Education
ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. 40th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the…
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US Department of Education: 2023 Early Childhood Transition Questions and Answers OSEP QA 24-01
The purpose of this IDEA 2023 Early Childhood Transition Questions and Answers document (2023 EC Transition Q&A) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is to assist State lead…
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US Department of Education Issues Updated Guidance on School Re-Openings Supplementing CDC’s New Guidance
To reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic and maximize the amount of in-person instruction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) are providing recommendations…
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US Department of Health and Human Services: Dear Colleague Letter on Mixed Delivery
We are writing to encourage you to work with local educational agencies and early childhood partners in your states and communities to serve more of our youngest learners in high-quality…
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US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS): Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. Health centers provide: checkups when you’re well…
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US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation
Professional Development Tools to Improve the Quality of Infant and Toddler Care: A Review of the LiteratureThis report and accompanying materials summarize the state of the field on in-service professional…
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US Department of Health & Human Services (USDHHS): Administration for Children & Families: Early Childhood Development
Reducing suspension and Expulsion Practices in Early Childhood Settings Recent data indicate that expulsions and suspensions regularly occur in preschool settings. This is a problematic issue given the well-established research…
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US Deparment of Education (USDE): Early Learning – Inclusion
The “Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs,” (PDF) released jointly by the Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) on September…
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US Department of Education IDEA Return to School Roadmap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs
This Q&A document highlights certain Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements related to the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and other information that state educational agencies…
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US Department of Education Return to School Roadmap: A Guide for K-12 Schools and Communities for the 2021-2022 School Year
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on America’s students, families, educators, and schools. But with increased access to vaccinations for school staff and students 12 and older, proven…
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Wrightslaw
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. The website contains articles, cases, newsletters, and resources…