Idaho Training Clearinghouse
Strengthening Itinerant Early Childhood Services: Effective Strategies for Supporting Young Children in Inclusive Settings - Session 1 of 3
FULL TITLE:
Strengthening Itinerant Early Childhood Services: Effective Strategies for Supporting Young Children in Inclusive Settings - Session 1 of 3 (Session 1 of 3)
SPONSORED BY:
Idaho State Department of Education (SDE)
EVENT ORGANIZER:
For more information, contact: Janice Carson at janicec@uidaho.edu
For registration related questions, contact itc@uidaho.edu
DATE & TIME:
May 6, 2026 from 3-5 Pacific/4-6 Mountain
Register for Session 1 of Strengthening Itinerant Early Childhood Services
Register for Session 2 of Strengthening Itinerant Early Childhood Services
Register for Session 3 of Strengthening Itinerant Early Childhood Services
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
The series explores practical strategies for delivering high-quality itinerant services to young children with disabilities in community preschool, childcare, and Head Start settings. Participants will learn how to embed specially designed instruction within daily routines, collaborate effectively with classroom staff and families, and make the most of limited instructional time across multiple sites. Across the three sessions, the series moves from foundational concepts to implementation strategies and advanced practices, including coaching early childhood educators, efficient progress monitoring, and supporting children with more intensive needs while maintaining inclusive placements.
Session 1 Description:
This first session will focus on the role of itinerant providers, why services in community preschool, childcare, and Head Start matter, connection to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and how to embed instruction within daily routines and activities.
Session 2: Implementation - Making Itinerant Visits Count: Embedding Specially Designed Instruction and Coaching Early Childhood Staff
Session 2 Description:
The second session focuses on strategies when instructional time is limited, coaching classroom teachers and caregivers, supporting consistent implementation between visits, practical strategies for scheduling, travel time, and large caseloads, and collaboration with families and early childhood staff.
Session 3: Advanced Practice - But What if?: Progress Monitoring, Data Collection, and Supporting Students with Intensive Needs
Session 3 Description:
The third and final session focuses on efficient progress monitoring across multiple sites, collecting meaningful data during short visits, addressing inconsistent implementation by classroom staff, determining when students need more intensive or structured supports, and maintaining inclusion while ensuring effective intervention.
PRESENTER:
Kate Ascetta
PRESENTER BIO:
Kate Ascetta, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s UCEDD. Dr. Ascetta’s work focuses on strengthening the early childhood intervention workforce through improved teacher preparation, high‑quality professional development, and the design of equitable systems that expand access to inclusive learning environments for young children with disabilities.
Prior to her academic career, she spent more than a decade working directly with young children and families across early childhood intervention settings (e.g., Head Start, itinerant, special education, etc.). She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Oregon, an M.Ed. from Bank Street College of Education, and a B.S. from SUNY Geneseo.
CREDIT:
This course is available for Summer 2026 inservice credit through the University of Idaho (UI). Enrollment for this course opens May 4, 2026 and closes on June 5, 2026. Visit the Idaho Training Clearinghouse For Credit page for more information.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
If you need special accommodations, please contact the event organizer listed above.