Building a Strong Network of State Focused Part C Early Intervention Advocates – Why, How and Who?

Join ECFC for discussion with Start Early exploring the why, how, and who behind building a strong network of state focused Part C early intervention advocates.

What are the systemic challenges, promising policy actions, and effective advocacy strategies? What do state advocates, providers, and families need for effective advocacy at the state level?

Start Early will share key findings from a landscape analysis that included:

• A review of federal and state policies

• Analysis of reports and policy agendas from state advocacy organizations

• In-depth interviews with early childhood advocates, providers, and family leaders across 14 states

In addition, they will share an initiative to build a collective online community for advocates as well as a strategic roadmap to advance state-level advocacy.

We’ll also hear from an advocate from New York who will share her experiences as a state early intervention (Part C) advocate, with a particular focus on centering family voice and sustaining family advocacy.

How can the advocacy community and philanthropy partner to develop and more strategic approach? Don’t miss this opportunity to discuss current efforts, explore possibilities, and learn about the “state of” state advocacy for early intervention (Part C).

Discussants:

• Gerry Cobb, Executive Director, Pritzker Children’s Initiative
• Karen Berman, Start Early Policy Team
• Brigit Hurley, Chief Program Officer, The Children’s Agenda, Rochester, NY,
• Judy Reidt-Parker, Director, Start Early Consulting

Webinar Archives:

• Recording
• Start Early EI Landscape Slide Deck

Related Resources:

Connect and learn more about early intervention work in states:

• Start Early’s Together for Young Children with Disabilities campaign, and related Disability Advocacy Resources, strengthens national advocacy for young children with disabilities and their families.
• Sign-up for, and share with advocates in your network, Start Early’s  Early Childhood Disability State Advocate Collective,  a trusted space to connect with peers, share ideas, and access timely resources and policy updates.
• Alliance for Early Success‘ 50-state resource collection for advocates includes state early news and updates.

About Part C:

• Early Education Technical Assistance Center: Part C Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, overview and related guidance.
• Georgetown Center for Children and Families: Medicaid is a Key Source of Funding for the Part C Early Intervention 

The case for Early Intervention:

• National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)’s fact sheet provides a compilation of research supporting the return on investment (ROI) value of early intervention.
• The Heckman Equation: Often people look to the work of James Heckman because of his argument for interventions as early as possible, particularly for at risk children.

Related Resources:

• RAPID, Stanford University: Families with a young child with a disability report high rates of economic hardship and emotional distress (December 2025)
• The Hechinger Report: Curbing the expulsion of kids with disabilities at child care (August 2025)