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# Biden-Harris Administration Announces Updated Resource to Support the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs

# Biden-Harris Administration Announces Updated Resource to Support the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs

November 28, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of  Health and Human Services (the Departments) today announced the release of an  updated joint-policy statement on supporting the inclusion of children with  disabilities in early childhood programs.

The HHS-ED Policy Statement on the Inclusion of  Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs builds upon a statement  originally released in 2015 and includes a renewed commitment and urgency, as  children with disabilities continue to face barriers accessing and fully  participating in inclusive early childhood programs. The statement was updated  consistent with a directive to both agencies in President Biden’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care  and Supporting Caregivers.

“Our nation’s youngest learners – including those with  disabilities – deserve access to high quality early childhood programs that  nurture their potential and provide a strong foundation for future success,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, the U.S. Department of  Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services strengthen our  shared commitment to break down barriers for young children with disabilities  and Raise the Bar for inclusivity in our early childhood programs.”

“The responsibility to ensure that young children with  disabilities and their families are included in high-quality early childhood  programs is a shared one. Government, at all levels, early childhood systems,  and schools must work together to provide necessary support to parents with  their kids,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.  “Today, Secretary Cardona and I reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to  our role in this important work. Together, we can ensure every child with  disabilities can participate in high-quality early childhood programs.”

Over 61 million adults  in the U.S. have a disability, and nearly one out of every six children is  estimated to have a developmental delay. The Departments’ shared vision is to  build a culture of inclusion for individuals with disabilities beginning at  birth, continuing in early childhood programs and schools, and into communities  and workplaces.

“Inclusion in high-quality, evidence-based early  childhood programs sets the stage for continued inclusion through school years  and beyond. Setting high expectations for early inclusion paves the way for  children with disabilities to reach their goals and to learn, live, and thrive  in school and in their communities,” said Assistant Secretary for the U.S.  Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative  Services Glenna Wright-Gallo.

“All children benefit from inclusive early childhood settings that provide enriching learning experiences. It is incumbent upon leaders, at all levels of government, to work together to ensure that children with disabilities and their families are welcomed and supported in all early childhood settings,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families Jeff Hild.

The statement reiterates expectations for inclusive early  childhood settings and updates recommendations for state and local agencies  that implement Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs,  Head Start, childcare, home visiting, preschool, and public schools to increase  inclusive early learning opportunities for all children. Additionally, the  statement includes evidence-based models and exemplars of inclusion and  resources for programs and others to support high-quality individualized  programming and inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood  programs.

To read the HHS-ED Policy Statement on the Inclusion of  Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs and to learn more,  visit: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/policy-statement-inclusion-of-children-with-disabilities-in-early-childhood-programs/.
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