When we prioritize the whole child and draw on educators’ expertise in early learning, we create benefits for children with disabilities, their families, and the educators who support them.
Date: June 24, 2025
Time: 12–12:30 p.m. PT
In this 30-minute webinar, participants will get an overview of how Beginning Together integrates child intentions and developmentally appropriate practices to create meaningful and supportive environments for young children with disabilities from birth through age 5. The webinar will highlight key strategies for honoring each child’s unique strengths; collaborating with families, educators, and specialists; and fostering a sense of belonging.
Participants will leave with a clear understanding of effective, evidence-based approaches in early learning settings and a few practical tools that can be used right away.
Session Topics
- Integrating Child Intentions Into Inclusive Practices
- Supporting the Whole Child in Early Childhood Settings
Who Should Attend?
- Coaches and Mentors of Early Childhood Educators
- Program Administrators and Directors
- Family Support Specialists and Advocates
- Researchers or Educators Involved in Professional Development
About Beginning Together
For over 25 years, Beginning Together: Caring for Young Children With Disabilities in Inclusive Settings—a collaboration of the California Department of Education, the California Department of Social Services, and WestEd—has been providing training, team building, and technical assistance to early childhood educators across general and special education, early intervention, Head Start, Early Head Start, family child care, and preschool settings.
Featured Speakers
Linda Brault, Director of Working Together for Inclusion and Belonging at WestEd
Brault oversees initiatives like Beginning Together, the California Making Access Possible (MAP) to Inclusion & Belonging, and the California Teaching Pyramid. Starting as an early childhood special education teacher and early interventionist, Brault has been focused on professional development to support inclusive practice for over 30 years. Brault is passionate about the inclusion of children with disabilities and behavior that adults find challenging and frequently speaks and writes on early childhood issues.
Ine Jack, program manager at WestEd
Jack is instrumental in the Supporting Inclusive Early Learning: Working Together for Inclusion and Belonging project and the CA Teaching Pyramid. She facilitates workshops on Universal Design for Learning, inclusion strategies, and multi-tiered systems of support. Jack also serves as an inclusion liaison, guiding participants through the Beginning Together Inclusion Facilitator Institute. With a background in early childhood and special education, she brings expertise in literacy, inclusion, and educator support.
Don’t miss out on this important discussion, register below!