The Inclusion in California Early Learning and Care project is taking place in six communities across California. In each community, we are enrolling approximately 10 families with a child who:
- Is between the ages of 3 and 5 years old
- Has a disability
- Attends a preschool or child care program OR their parent/guardian tried to find preschool or child care but was not able to find anything
- Is eligible or likely to be eligible for a child care subsidy
- Has a parent/guardian who speaks English or Spanish
Recruitment
Using information from the State, we identified preschool and child care programs in the study communities that likely include children with disabilities who are eligible for child care subsidies. We are asking these programs to give information about the study to the parents/guardians of children who are potentially eligible to participate in the study. We are also asking district special education and/or early childhood administrators in the study communities to give information about the study to the parents/guardians of children who are potentially eligible to participate in the study.
The information includes a flyer with a link and a QR code that parents/guardians can use to reach the electronic study consent form. We also have paper copies of the study materials available for those who would like them.
After signing the consent form, parents or guardians will complete an information form, and a project staff member will contact them to follow up and confirm eligibility for the study. If too many families decide to participate, we may select a subset of families to be in the study.
Study Activities
The goal of the community studies is to understand how subsidized early learning and care and special education are working within each community to meet the needs of preschoolers with disabilities and their families. We are conducting interviews with district administrators (e.g., special education directors, early childhood directors) and staff in early learning and care agencies and organizations (e.g., resource and referral agencies, local child care planning councils, family advocacy organizations) to gain a broad perspective on how things operate. To get a complete picture of the experiences of the children and families enrolled in the study, we are interviewing each child’s parent or guardian, teacher, and other professionals who work with the child (such as their speech language pathologist or physical therapist). We are also reviewing each child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and assessment information.
Specific study activities for each population:
- Children: Children’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other assessment results will be reviewed by research team.
- Parents/guardians: Parents/guardians will participate in a brief phone call where they will be asked a few questions and during which they will have the opportunity to learn more about the study. Parents/guardians will participate in a 45-minute interview with a member of the research team. Parents/guardians will be given a $50 gift card for their participation.
- Preschool Directors: Preschool directors will help distribute study materials to families. If one or more children/families from their program consent to participate in the study, preschool directors will complete a short questionnaire to share background information about themselves, their program and staff, participate in a 45-minute interview with a member of the research team, and facilitate document review and teacher interviews at their program. Preschool directors who participate in an interview will be given a $50 gift card for their participation.
- Teachers: Teachers may be asked to help distribute study materials to families. Teachers of children enrolled in the study will participate in a 45-minute interview with a member of the research team. Teachers who participate in an interview will be given a $50 gift card for their participation.
- Service Providers: Service providers, such as speech language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, who work with children enrolled in the study will participate in a 45-minute interview with a member of the research team. Service providers will be given a $25 gift card for their participation.
In the study communities, we will also conduct 45-minute interviews with people in the roles/from the organizations in the figure below.
If you have questions about this study, please contact Kathryn Morrison (650-859-3922 or kathryn.morrison@sri.com).