Our History

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 Center
Research and training to improve positive outcomes for all young children

Director: Michael Conn-Powers

Current

Early Childhood Center

Research and system change
High quality professional development
Advancing policy for positive outcomes for all young children

Director: Dr. Katie Herron