The history of the Early Childhood Center (ECC) shows a progression from directly assisting parents of infants and toddlers to advancing policies and practices across the entire early childhood arena. What is currently known as the ECC was established in 1975. The ECC went through several names and directors as it moved from offering assessments and direct service in classroom settings to providing services to children with disabilities and their families in natural environments, places where children and families typically live, learn, and play. The ECC no longer provides direct services and instead focuses on designing and implementing high quality research and training, both locally as well as at a state and national level, with the goal of improving positive outcomes for all young children, including children with disabilities and their families.
ECC History
1975
Community Program of Preschool and Parent Education (PREPARE)
Provided support for parents of infants/toddlers with significant disabilities
Director: Evelyn (Bonnie) Brown
Early 1990
Innovative Practices for Young Children
Provided direct services to young children in natural environments
Director: Susan Shuster
1994-2022
Early Childhood CenterResearch and training to improve positive outcomes for all young children
Director: Michael Conn-Powers
Current
Early Childhood CenterResearch and system change
High quality professional development
Advancing policy for positive outcomes for all young children
Director: Dr. Katie Herron