Practicing Anti-Racism as Inclusion: Start in Early Childhood!

Abstract

The mission of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is to promote policies and advance evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families. The Division for Early Childhood, as individuals and as a system, recognizes we must acknowledge and address the explicit and/or implicit bias that disproportionately impacts the trajectory of children of color and their families. We seek to support and advocate for increasing the diversity of leadership across the early intervention and early childhood special education workforce, intentionally working with families as partners; and actively acknowledging when and how bias impacts our systems, children, and families. We seek to reduce bias to achieve inclusion, equity, and social justice across services and settings.