The latest Events, Training, and Communities of Practice that improve outcomes for children and their families.
View our Exemplar Leads which support families, students and educators.
Learn more about our System of Support including CalECSE Leadership, Exemplar Leads and our Geographic Assistance Facilitators.
Are you an LEA, Regional Center or agency partner engaging in IDEA Part C to B Evaluations, Preschool Assessments, or Preschool Child Find? We can help!
The California Early Childhood Special Education Network
Welcome to the California Early Childhood Special Education Network – A network of technical assistance, evidence-based practices, resources, and support for agencies supporting Early Childhood Special Education.
The CalECSE Organization
The California Early Childhood Special Education “CalECSE” Network was funded by the California Department of Education in April of 2022 to support the areas of 1) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C to B Evaluations, 2) Preschool Assessment Practices, and 3) Preschool Child Find. The CalECSE Network leverages collaboration amongst agencies, dissemination of resources, highlighting of existing exemplar practices, and direct technical assistance to improve the capacity, knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices across agencies throughout California. The CalECSE Network is committed to improving outcomes for children and their families by eliminating and addressing barriers to successful transition for California’s youngest children with disabilities.
CalECSE supports Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPAs), County Offices of Education (COEs), and other agency partners throughout California in the areas of IDEA Part C to B Transitions, Preschool Assessment Practices, and Preschool Child Find.
CalECSE provides regionalized support in California through a system of 11 service regions based on the California County Superintendents. Geographic Technical Assistance Facilitators provide linkages between LEAs and other agencies within their region to support that exists within the CalECSE Network.
CalECSE Network Exemplar Leads provide professional learning to connect with LEAs and other agencies seeking support or that have been identified to participate in high-quality technical assistance and professional learning opportunities in order to build knowledge, capacity, and the implementation of evidence-based best practices.
Be a part of CalECSE's
Historic Symposiums
Take a look back at CalECSE's Inaugural Symposium held at San Diego's Beautiful Paradise Poin Resort. This two-day event provided attendees with professional training and impactful networking while enjoying a resort-style experience.
CalECSE is supporting school districts across the state of California by providing virtual forums for local Communities of Practice (CoPs). These CoPs will allow for school-based Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) practitioners (e.g., preschool administrators/program specialists, ECSE teachers, school psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and so on) to connect with local colleagues to share best practices, problem solve, and learn from one another’s programs. CalECSE staff and local ECSE leaders will facilitate the CoPs and will be on hand to provide information on upcoming professional development offerings, legal and statewide updates, and bring expert speakers on topics that the group is interested in learning more about.
To join a local CoP, email info@calecse.org
Our Support
CalECSE Network Grantees are exemplary leaders and regionally based facilitators who have a passion for helping educators, early start providers, and teams create sustainable, evidence-based practices that support IDEA Part C to Part B transitions, assessments, and child find activities.
CalECSE is funded by the California Department of Education (CDE).
A writable tool - Preschool Initial Referral Intake Form
Join CalECSE and our special guests Elizabeth Schroeder, Project Director, and Shawn Kaplan, Training Manager, from the Desired Results Access Project for a no-cost, virtual session to gain essential information and resources for using the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) for children with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Find follow-up questions and answers here from the California Early Childhood Special Education (CalECSE) Network’s Kindergarten Transition Assessments Training
You will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of professionals including Education Specialists, Service Providers, Administrators, and others regarding inclusive practices, building inclusive programs, providing related services in inclusive settings, and more!
Join CalECSE Assessment Practices Exemplar Lead and Speech-Language Pathologist Linsey Sandrew and Licensed Educational Psychologist Carrie Rodrigues for an engaging session exploring the power of play-based assessment.
