Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

This project was completed through a grant received in 2003 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. The purpose of the project was to demonstrate the successful inclusion and accommodation of infants and toddlers with complex medical needs and disabilities into child care centers, including the development and dissemination of a model to strengthen Center-based childcare infrastructures to support these children. The goals of this project were to promote social competence, medical home coordination, and family support.

• Training modules were created on different medical needs (tracheotomy, seizures, etc.) to use in training childcare staff.
• An article was published in a widely known early childhood journal, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education.
• A companion study was conducted to look at state policies that impact the inclusion of children with complex medical needs in childcares across the country.

• Bruder, M.B., & Fink, D.B. (2004). State Policy as an Influence on the Participation of Young Children with Medical Needs in Childcare. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(2), 68-75.
• State Policies Impacting Participation of Young Children with Medical Needs in Childcare *Updated*