Inclusion and Behavior Support Program

We support program staff at all levels through training and coaching to promote
successful inclusion and social-emotional development for all children.

Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists are trained in practice based coaching methods, child development, inclusion, and social emotional development to meet the needs of early learning professionals needs of all children.

Coaching Services

Practice Based Coaching Model
Specialists support coachee through observation, action planning and reflection/feedback
Coachees can be directors, teachers, family providers
Support typically last 3-5 months
In person & virtual

Professional Development

Trainings are provided both public and privately for ECE professionals. Training topics include:

Inclusion Practices
Nurturing Relationships
High Quality Environments
Defining Challenging Behavior

To request training for your program, email our Helpline at inclusion@decal.ga.gov

GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Contact SEEDS for Success Helping to access these services:

Identifying inclusive childcare options for families
Referrals to community resource agencies (i.e. Babies Can’t Wait, Preschool Intervention)
Free on-site or virtual professional development on inclusion and social emotional development strategies
Coaching on developing inclusive classroom practices and preventing/addressing challenging behavior
Support in facilitating the behavior support plan process

Contact the Helpline to request training, resources, or coaching support at 1.833.354.4357 or inclusion@decal.ga.gov

Child Care Learning Centers

Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists are available to provide support to Child Care Learning Centers by:

Providing Bright from the Start approved professional development for teachers, directors, and other staff.
Providing technical assistance designed to support programs in identifying and addressing barriers to inclusion, including challenging behavior.
Providing resources and information about inclusion and other topics.
Assisting providers with referrals as well as linking them to community resources, such as Babies Can’t Wait and the local school system.

Intensive Professional Development

Inclusion Specialists provide Intensive Professional Development (IPD), a combination of on-site technical assistance, training, and resources designed to meet the needs of the program/teacher. IPD begins with a classroom observation, and focuses on assisting the center Director and teachers in developing and implementing an Action Plan to support the meaningful inclusion of all children in the classroom with a focus on classroom-wide strategies.Behavior Support Specialists are able to assist child care providers by facilitating behavior intervention planning for children who exhibit persistent challenging behavior while also supporting classroom practices through ongoing coaching.

Training

Specialists are available to provide a number of free, state approved trainings around the topics of Inclusion and Positive Behavior Supports. To view or register for scheduled trainings in your area please visit the Georgia Professional Development System for Early Childhood Educators. To schedule training at your site email inclusion@decal.ga.gov.

For more information please contact us at inclusion@decal.ga.gov or contact the Inclusion and Behavior Support Helpline at 1-833-354-4357.

Family Child Care Learning Homes

Inclusion Specialist are available provide support to Family Child Care Learning Homes by:

Providing Bright from the Start approved professional development for Family Child Care Learning Home Providers directly onsite at their program and/or through Family Child Care Association Meetings.
Providing technical assistance designed to assist FCCLH providers in identifying and addressing barriers to inclusion, including challenging behavior.
Providing resources and information about inclusion and other topics.
Assisting providers with referrals and linkage to community resources, such as Babies Can’t Wait and the local school system.

Intensive Professional Development

Training

Inclusion Specialists are available to provide a number of free, state approved trainings around the topics of Inclusion and Positive Behavior Supports. To view or register for scheduled trainings in your area please visit the Georgia Professional Development System for Early Childhood Educators. To schedule training at your site email inclusion@decal.ga.gov.

For more information please contact us at inclusion@decal.ga.gov orcontact the Inclusion and Behavior Support Helpline at 1-833-354-4357.

Classroom Practices Coaching

Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists provide Classroom Practices Coaching supported through the Practice-Based Coaching Model. This model consists of a combination of on-site observations, action planning and reflection and feedback, as well as training and resources designed to meet the needs of the program and/or teacher. Coaching begins with a classroom observation, which focuses on assisting the early learning professional in developing and implementing action plans to support the meaningful inclusion of all children in the classroom.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Administration Coaching

Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists also provide program-wide support to center administrators by mentoring the coaching process in one classroom and then consulting with the administrator as they walk through the coaching process in additional classrooms. This type of coaching can be paired with our training services.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Behavior Support Planning

For programs that requesting support in working with a child with persistent challenging behaviors, the Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists provides coaching around data collection. Utilizing the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children process, the Specialist will facilitate meetings between the child care program and family in creating a behavior support plan. This process aims to create a supportive and consistent environment for the child, promoting success in both the child care program and at home.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Training

Specialists are available to provide a number of free, state approved trainings around the topics of Inclusion, Adaptations, and Social Emotional Learning. To view the training menu and request training, click here.

To request additional information about our support services, please go to our GA SEEDS for Success Helpline

Useful Links

Supports and Services

Services:

Babies Can't Wait: Georgia's Early Intervention program which provides supports and resources for children (birth to age three) with significant developmental delays or qualifying medical conditions and their families. 1-888-651-8224

Georgia Department of Community Health Medicaid and Peachcare for Kids: Health care for children.

Georgia Department of Education/Division for Exceptional Students: Information and resources for families regarding special education programs in public schools for children 3-21. Includes contact information for referrals to services.

Georgia Department of Education/Scholarships for Children with Special Needs: Provides eligible children with the opportunity to attend another private/public school.

Georgia Parent Infant Network for Educational Services (GAPINES): Provides services and supports for children birth to three who have sensory impairments such as blindness and hearing impairments.

Georgia Tools for Life: This group's mission is to increase access to assistive technology devices and services for Georgians of all ages through help with scholarships and training. 1-800-497-8665.

Lekotek of Georgia: This program will loan adapted and traditional toys to families to use at home and provides individualized support and resources. The program's goal is to make play successful and interactive for children with disabilities through the use of adapted toys and computer equipment.

Information and Support:

Americans with Disabilities Act: Information and Technical Assistance on the American with Disabilities Act.

Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care and the American with Disabilities Act: Answers from the U.S. Department of Justice on common questions about the ADA.

Department of Defense Special Needs Parent Toolkit: Comprehensive information and tools that are geared towards helping military families with children with special needs navigate the maze of medical and special education services, community support and benefits and entitlements.

Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS): Support group for families of children with disabilities and other special health care needs.

Georgia Advocacy Office: The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) is a private non-profit corporation. Its mission is to work with and for oppressed and vulnerable individuals in Georgia who are labeled as disabled or mentally ill to secure their protection and advocacy.

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: Provides information and advocacy activities, program implementation and funding and public policy analysis and research to influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Georgia Health Law Partnership: An interdisciplinary community collaboration among the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and Georgia State University College of Law to improve the health of low-income children and their families. Offers public health legal services to eligible families of children with health care issues.

Parent to Parent of Georgia: A statewide nonprofit organization that provides support, information and resources to parents of children with disabilities ages birth through twenty-six. 1-800-229-2038.

Project Healthy Grandparents: Support and resources for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids: Listing of Georgia-based therapists, support groups and other resources for children with disabilities and their families.

Developmental Information

Social Emotional:

The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) : Training materials, resources, and research to support social and emotional development in young children.

Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Ideas for increasing children’s opportunities to practice social skills.

Challenging Behavior in Infants and Toddlers: Tip sheets, brochures, videos and other resources to help families understand the causes of common behavior problems and ways to teach young children self-control and critical coping skills.

Positive Beginnings: Resource for ideas to support children with challenging behaviors at home and in early education environments.

Social Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers: Tip sheets, brochures, videos and other resources to help families support social emotional development in their young children.

Literacy and Language:

Center for Early Literacy Learning: Provides research-based information and activities designed for use by parents and care providers to promote literacy learning by children with disabilities.

First Words Project: Resources for families and early educators related to developmental screening tools and early detection of communication delays. Click here to download a brochure explaining the First Words Project and explaining how families can participate.

Developmental Monitoring and Screening

Learn the Signs. Act Early: Brochures, videos and other resources for families and early educators.

Health and Disabilities

Understanding Your Child’s Development: Information and resources for families to increase their knowledge and understanding of developmental milestones for children birth to three years old.

American Academy of Pediatrics:The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) promotes pediatrics and advances child health priorities in a variety of ways including developing policy, conducting research, lobbying Congress, building coalitions, raising public awareness, funding community-based projects, and supporting training and professional education. Learn more about the great work being done!

Healthy Children.org: Information and resources for families supporting optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

American Federation for the Blind: provides information and resources for people with visual impairments and their families. Families will be especially interested in the Family Connect section which is geared toward children and their families.

Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of Young Children was created specifically for families of children ages 4 and under to make the best possible use of the 100 days following their child's diagnosis of autism.

Body and Mind: Site sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control with health and safety information for children.

Cerebral Palsy: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia site providing community- based supports and resources to families with children with developmental disabilities.

Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia: provides support groups, educational resources, advocacy and other services for Georgians with epilepsy/seizure disorders.

Feeding Tube Awareness: Provides information about reflux and the use of feeding tubes. There is also a message board where parents can post questions and concerns.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Resources and an online diabetes support team as well as practical information about diabetes and its management.

Spina Bifida Association of Georgia: provides information and support to families and caregivers of children withSpina Bifida.

Tools for Early Educators

DECAL'S Inclusive Early Learning Week: Mark your calendars and plan meaningful ways your program, children, and families in your community can come together to celebrate inclusion.

Early Red Flags for Autism: Information about red flags and a list of some early red flags of Autism in Toddlers. This resource also includes links to the First Words Project and social communication growth charts.

Head Start Center for Inclusion: Resources and tools to support inclusion of young children with disabilities in early learning environments.

Individualizing for All Children: Resources and information on differentiating instruction for children who learn differently.

Kids Included Together:Training, videos, mobile apps and print materials on strategies for including children with disabilities. Resources include a call-in support center, annual national conference, and child-specific consultations.

National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning: Information, resources and videos designed for early educators.

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: Information for educators on topics related to special education and inclusion. Resources include webinars, research publications, practice guides.

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns: This FREE, online training course, Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns, provides tools and best practices for monitoring the development of children in your care and talking about it with their parents. Completion of these modules earns one hour of Bright from the Start approved credit.