Palau Drafts Coordinated Approaches for Disability Services Plan

by Guam CEDDERS Community Services: Technical Assistance

Since July 2017, the Republic of Palau, Ministry of Education – Special Education Program staff in partnership with the Head Start Coordinators and technical support from Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant, have been working to develop a process for ensuring coordinated approaches for serving children enrolled in Head Start settings.  The team inclusive of both Special Education and Head Start staff reviewed the Head Start Program Performance Standard (HSPPS) 1302.101(b) Coordinated Approaches for Disability Services (CADS): “At the beginning of each program year, and on an ongoing basis throughout the year, a program must design and implement program-wide coordinated approaches to ensure full and effective participation of children with disabilities.” This standard requires appropriate supports and protocols are in place prior to and throughout the school year for preschoolers with disabilities.

The CADS plan ensures that all preschoolers with disabilities enrolled in Head Start will have access to highly individualized teaching that will result in active participation and increased learning to achieve the goals and objectives identified for the child.   On August 21 and 22, Special Education and Head Start staff participated in a two-day training on early childhood coaching that was facilitated by Ms. Eclavea.  During that same week, Special Education staff, in partnership with the Head Start teachers from the two pilot centers, developed coaching plans based on the priorities identified by the teachers to support the inclusion of preschoolers with disabilities in their center.  For the past three months, Special Education providers have been coaching and mentoring Head Start teachers and teacher assistants in achieving the goals identified in the early childhood coaching plan. The results and progress achieved discussed during the team meetings held on November 28 and 29 were all positive.

Congratulations to the Parents, Head Start Teachers and Teacher Assistants, and Special Education Providers for their continued commitment to supporting preschoolers with disabilities in Head Start settings!

During an Early Childhood Coaching session, the Olbedekall Head Start Center celebrates the progress Elika (sitting on her mother’s lap) has made since being enrolled in the program.
Elaine Eclavea (far left), Guam CEDDERS Early Childhood Consultant, conducted training on Early Childhood Coaching in the Republic of Palau. The Olbedekall Head Start Center Team received incentives as part of their participation in the Early Childhood Coaching pilot program.