About the Guest(s):

Alissa Rausch is a dedicated advocate for inclusive education rights, especially for young children with disabilities and various intersectional identities. Based at the University of Denver, she has extensive experience as a provider, program leader, educator, and technical assistance provider, notably developing inclusive programs and participating actively in legislative initiatives with organizations like Disability Law Colorado and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center.

Ben Riepe is a Senior Project Manager at the Positive Early Learning Experiences Center at the University of Denver, contributing significantly to ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations. With 13 years supporting Head Start Classrooms as a teacher and coach, Ben focuses on embedding evidence-based inclusive practices into classrooms and communities.

Episode Summary:

Delve into a transformative discussion on the Think Inclusive Podcast with Tim Villegas, featuring an insightful conversation with Alissa Rausch and Ben Riepe from the University of Denver. They discuss the significance of the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center's inclusion indicators, designed to guide systems at varying levels, like state and community, towards enhancing inclusive practices, aiming for a profound societal impact.

In this episode, Alissa and Ben emphasize the critical role of systems in fostering inclusive environments for children, particularly those with disabilities. They explore the implementation science behind these indicators and how it supports sustainable and meaningful inclusive practices. Through poignant real-world examples and insights, they expound on the barriers families face and the power of family partnerships in achieving truly inclusive educational settings. Their experiences and collaborative work highlight opportunities for systemic change, especially through intentional community-based approaches and systems-level transformation, positioning early childhood inclusion as a foundational element of lifelong success.

Complete show notes and transcript: (coming soon)

Key Takeaways:

-Inclusion Indicators: Developed by ECTA, the indicators serve as a North Star for programs implementing inclusive practices across various levels such as state, community, and local programs.

-Systems Approach to Inclusion: Emphasizes working at every level of the educational ecosystem, from state policies to individual classrooms, ensuring comprehensive support for inclusive practices.

-Family Partnerships: Building genuine partnerships with families is critical, recognizing them as co-constructors in the journey of inclusion, thereby facilitating better educational outcomes.

-Long-Term Impact: Highlighting the necessity of early childhood inclusion as a foundation for lifelong educational and community success.

-Implementation Science: Using strategic, science-based processes for planning and executing inclusive practices, aiming for scalable and sustainable change.

Resources:

ECTA Center: https://ectacenter.org/

Disability Law Colorado: https://disabilitylawco.org/

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL: https://www.ixl.com/inclusive

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