About Us
About Us
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is one of seventeen divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. DEC is especially for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.
The Division for Early Childhood promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
DEC is an international community of professionals and family members all working together to support the development of young children with special needs and to create a system of support for all young children and their families.
Our members include:
- Early Intervention Specialists
- Early Childhood Special Educators
- Parents
- Early Childhood Professionals Working in Preschool, Childcare, and Head Start Programs
- Researchers
- Administrators
- High Education Faculty
- Healthcare Professionals
- Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- and You!
If you would like to learn about membership and all of its benefits, please click here.
Meeting Schedule
August, October, January, March/April
June team retreat
Goals & By-Laws
Goals & By-Laws
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) is one of seventeen divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. DEC is especially for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.
Board Members
Our Mission
Our Mission
It is MN DEC's mission to promote policies and advancement of evidence-based practices.
We continue to work in partnership with the Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities so those in Minnesota who work with or on behalf of children with disabilities will have current information and connections at their fingertips.
MN DEC is excited to provide information on our statewide activities and policies and practices in the field of early intervention and early childhood special education through this website.
Minnesota CEC-DEC Affiliations
Minnesota CEC-DEC Affiliations
The Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children (MNCEC) is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. The MNCEC works in accord with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as a state unit. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, and professional development that align with Minnesota and National standards.
The Minnesota CEC Divisions are the MN DEC and MN Administrators for Special Education (CASE Division).Â