Biden-Harris Administration Announces Updated Resource to Support Early Childhood Inclusion

On November 28th, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) released an updated joint policy statement emphasizing the importance of supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood settings. The statement, which sets the expectation for continued inclusion as children transition to elementary school, highlights the need to increase public awareness of the science supporting inclusion. It also emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen the early childhood system and renews the federal commitment to addressing barriers faced by children with disabilities in accessing inclusive early childhood programs. The statement calls for shared responsibility, commitment, and collaboration at all levels of the system to create a nationwide culture of inclusion. It urges diverse early childhood programs and services, in partnership with public and private entities, to work collaboratively to realize the vision of equal opportunity for all children. Opportunities to improve inclusion in early childhood programs and recommendations for state and local action are contained within the main document. The extensive policy statement also includes links from both ED and HHS to federally funded resources and national centers that support inclusion.

Read the policy document here.