Children with disabilities and their families continue to face significant barriers to accessing inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, and too many preschool children with disabilities are only offered the option of receiving special education services in settings separate from their peers without disabilities.
On Sept. 14 the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services jointly released the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs to address this. The policy states that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs where they are provided with individualized and appropriate support in meeting high expectations.
For more information, contact Child Development Services Deputy Director Janna Gregory at janna.gregory@maine.gov or 624-6660.