Links / Resources

Early Learning and School Readiness

Action for Children
Founded in 1972, Action for Children is the source for child care and early learning services in central Ohio. A private, not-for-profit organization, Action for Children is headquartered in Columbus and operates two satellite offices In Delaware and Union counties. This agency works with partners in Fairfield, Licking, Madison and Pickaway counties to provide services throughout central Ohio's seven-county region.

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
CSEFEL is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.

Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
The Division for Early Childhood is one of seventeen divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. DEC is especially for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.

Early Childhood Excellence (ECEx)
EarlyChildhoodExcellence.org is a strategic alliance between the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. and Innovative Outcomes, Inc and their Center for Leadership Excellence, Inc. Technical support for the efforts of the alliance is provided by the Early Childhood Quality Network at The Ohio State University.

EarlyChildhood.com
Early childhood information, products and ideas.

Early Learning Quality Network (ecQ-net)
This link offers information on how to earn continuing education credits & optional university credits for all early education staff, teachers and administrators. Offerings include training designed to support Ohio's Early Learning Content Standards and the Preschool Literacy CORE curriculum. Check the site often for new training opportunities.

Head Start
This national program promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.

Help Me Grow (HMG)
HMG is Ohio’s birth to 3 system that provides state and federal funds to county Family and Children First Councils to be used in conjunction with state, local and other federal funds to implement and maintain a coordinated, community-based infrastructure that promotes trans-disciplinary, family-centered services for expectant parents, newborns, infants and toddlers and their families. The Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention Services (BEIS) is the lead agency administering HMG program in Ohio.

National Association for the Education of Young Children
Founded in 1926, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.

The National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI)
NPDCI is working with states to ensure that early childhood teachers are prepared to educate and care for young children with disabilities in settings with their typically developing peers.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
NACTAC is supported by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). NECTAC serves Part C-Infant and Toddlers with Disabilities Programs and Part B-Section 619 Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities in all 50 states and 10 jurisdictions to improve service systems and outcomes for children and families.

Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (Ohio AEYC)
Ohio AEYC is the state affiliate of NAEYC. Ohio AEYC serves as the “voice for early childhood professionals” and advocates for early childhood education issues at the state and local level. The association provides state-of-the-art professional development resources and opportunities. Check this site for information about the Annual Ohio Early Care and Education Conference, presented by Ohio AEYC and the Ohio Department of Education.

The Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB)
OACB Serving People with Developmental Disabilities is a non-profit organization specializing in providing information, continuing education, and legislative liaison to Ohio's 88 County Boards of Developmental Disabilities since January, 1984.

The Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association (OCCRRA)
This is a statewide association for child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs). OCCRRA's membership consists of community-based child care resource & referral agencies providing services to families, early childhood professionals, and communities throughout Ohio. Along with direct services to over 40,000 Ohio families each year, Ohio CCR&Rs are involved in community activities which improve child care for all children. This includes efforts to improve laws, regulations, policies and funding.

Ohio Department of Education: Office of Early Learning & School Readiness
This link contains resources for administrators, teachers and families related to the educational needs of young children.

Ohio Department of Education: Preschool Special Education
This link contains general information about Preschool Special Education Programs that are provided to meet the needs of children with disabilities, ages 3 through 5. Topics include the purpose of these programs, eligibility and program performance.

Technical Assistance Center for the Social Emotional Interventin (TACSEI)
TACSEI takes the research that shows which practices improve the social-emotional outcomes for young children with, or at risk for, delays or disabilities and creates FREE products and resources to help decision-makers, caregivers, and service providers apply these best practices in the work they do every day.