Early Childhood Educators
The number of students requiring special education services has grown steadily in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue. Learning disabilities will continue to be identified and diagnosed at earlier ages. Legislation encouraging early intervention and special education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers has created a need for early childhood special education teachers. SERVICES
- Search and Serve
Any individual that believes they know a child that might require special education intervention may call the Search and Serve office or their local school district office and talk with someone about their concerns.
- Kern Early Start Program
A multi-agency collaborative program designed to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers from birth until age three.
- Education & Training Opportunities for Early Childhood Educators and child care providers
RESOURCES
- Child Care for Children with Special Needs
- Referring Young Children with Developmental Disabilities to Special Services
- Selecting Special Toys for Special Kids
- Early Childhood Education Provisions of IDEA
- Guide to ADA Accessibility: Guidelines for Play Areas
- Positive Approaches to Challenging Behaviors for Young Children with Disabilities
- CDE Handbook on Family Involvement
- CDE Handbook on Administration
- CDE Handbook on Assessment and Evaluation

- CDE Handbook on Developing Individualized Family Service Plans and Individualized Education Programs
- CDE Handbook on Developing and Implementing Programs and Services
- Emergency Preparedness and Children with Special Needs
- Building Disability Awareness into School Curricula from Easter Seals
- Helpful Tips for Children when Meeting Friends with Disabilities
- Outdoor Activities for Children with Severe or Multiple Disabilities
- Book List Recommendations for Children About Disabilities
- Printable Coloring & Activities Book About Children with Special Needs
CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: RESOURCES FOR INCLUSION BY SPECIAL NEED
- Asthma in Child Care Settings
- Working with Children with Autism in Child Care Settings
- Crisis Nursery Care for Infants and Children Who are Medically Fragile
- General Ideas to Help Children with Special Needs
- Myths Caring for Children with Special Needs
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Allergies and Asthma
- Challenging Behaviors
- Chronic Illnesses
- Developmental Delays
- Hearing Impairments
- HIV and AIDS
- Physical Differences and Impairments
- Seizure Disorders
- Speech and Language Problems
- Visual Impairments
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
- Community Connection for Child Care
Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC) is a child development and family services agency dedicated to providing options, education and support to children, families, child development professionals and the community. The CCCC Resource Library has a free lending program with equipment and toys for children with special needs for qualified child care providers.
- Kern County Children's Dental Health Network
Please call 661.861.5288 for more information on dental education serivces offered to local child care centers and family child care providers. - Desert Area Resources & Training (DART)
Since 1961, DART, a private, not-for-profit corporation, provides services and opportunities to people who have developmental disabilities or other special needs, so they and their families can pursue the dreams and lifestyles they choose. DART is a provider of services for Regional Centers, Department of Rehabilitation, and Sierra Sands Unified School District. DART provides early intervention services to children ages 0 to five years.
- Asthma Home Visit Project 661.327.1601
Through the project, bilingual outreach workers provide free asthma education and support services to children with asthma and their families. The outreach workers make home visits and teach parents and children tools for asthma management, including early warning signs, environmental triggers, and proper use of medications. Outreach workers provide free spacers and peak flow meters (instruments to help manage asthma), and try to secure free nebulizers for families who canít afford them. Children and their families are referred to the program through daycare providers and healthcare professionals.
ORGANIZATIONS
- CDC Division for Early Childhood-Division of CDC
- Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion (ECRII)
- Division of Early Childhood of The Council for Exceptional Children
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
- Safety Tips for Children with Special Needs
- Inclusive Education
-
Frequently Asked Questions
- Links of Interest for Educators
- SELPAs Throughout California
- Legislative Updates
- Specific Disability Information
- Glossary of Special Education Terms
