Professional Partners
Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health
A global organization that includes those states and countries whose infant mental health associations have licensed the use of the Competency Guidelines® and/or Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health® under their associations’ names.
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
The American Occupational Therapy Association is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
American Physical Therapy Association
The American Physical Therapy Association is an individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy. APTA seeks to transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 204,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.
Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives
The Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives is member-driven and dedicated to supporting members in the effective implementation and improvement of home visiting programs at the state, territory and Tribal level. The evidence-based approaches of these programs, focused on pregnant women and families with children birth-through-five, help support families in their most important job of raising children to lead healthy and productive lives.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
ChildCare Aware of America
Child Care Aware® of America works with more than 400 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. Child Care Aware® of America’s vision is that every family in the United States has access to a high quality, affordable child care system. The child care system supports children’s growth, development and educational advancement and creates positive economic impact for families and communities.
Child Trends
Child Trends is the nation’s leading research organization focused exclusively on improving the lives of children and youth, especially those who are most vulnerable. Work to ensure that all kids thrive by conducting independent research and partnering with practitioners and policymakers to apply that knowledge. Believe that programs and policies that serve children are most effective when they are informed by data and evidence and grounded in deep knowledge of child and youth development.
Council of Chief State School Officers
The Council of Chief State School Officers is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education and the five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies set professional standards provides professional development and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. CEC is known as THE source of information, resources, and professional development for special educators.
Division for Early Childhood
The Division for Early Childhood promotes policies and advances 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.
Higher Education Consortium for Special Education
Our member institutions are major universities with national reputations for preparing teachers, related service providers, administrators, teacher educators, and researchers. Their faculty members are known for their excellence in teaching, research and service in special education and related services.
IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association
IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association thoughtfully and carefully supports the Early Intervention System for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities of the IDEA Part C.
National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education
National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education is the national organization for state education staff members with major responsibilities in the field of early childhood education, from infancy through the primary grades. The association promotes high-quality services to young children and their families through improvement of instruction, curriculum, and administration of programs. Members of the Association have an opportunity to share ideas and to work together toward the solution of common problems.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The association comprises nearly 60,000 individual members of the early childhood community and more than 50 Affiliates, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.
National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Incorporated
NASDSE’s mission is to work with state education agencies to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities receive the educational supports and services they need from birth to be prepared for post-school education, career and independent living choices.
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Certification
NASDTEC is the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. It is the organization that represents professional standards boards and commissions and state departments of education in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Guam, and Ontario that are responsible for the preparation, licensure, and discipline of educational personnel. Associate members include constituent organizations with an interest in the preparation, continuing development, employment, and certification of educational personnel.
National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States. Since 1974, NHSA has worked diligently for policy changes that ensure all at-risk children have access to the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community.
National Institute for Early Education Research
NIEER conducts academic research to inform policy supporting high-quality, early education for all young children promoting the physical, cognitive and social development needed for children to succeed in school and later life. NIEER provides independent, research-based analysis and technical assistance to policymakers, journalists, researchers, and educators.
National Resource Center for Paraeducators
National Resource Center for Paraeducators serve paraeducators; teachers; policymakers and administrators; other education professionals; occupational, physical and speech-language therapists; early childhood specialists; personnel developers in 2- & 4-year colleges and universities; and other stakeholders.
Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
Teacher Education Division is a diverse community of professionals who lead and support teacher education on behalf of students with exceptional needs and their families. We accomplish this through: Professional Development, Advocacy, Research and Collaboration.
Zero to Three
Zero to Three works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Healthy connections help build babies’ brains.