OCALI | Center for the Young Child

Center for the Young Child

Promoting a Strong Start and Charting a Positive Course for Young Children with Disabilities

The Center for the Young Child (CYC) is dedicated to giving children with disabilities the best possible start in life because early experiences impact lifelong outcomes.

We do this by informing policy, creating and sharing resources, and providing training and technical assistance so that young children (0-8) with disabilities have the foundation they need for a lifetime of learning, growth, and opportunities in their community.

Now Introducing...

Four vital components of the Ohio PROMISE initiative to Promote Resources, Opportunities, and Meaningful Inclusion through Support and Education to early care and education providers, families, and the public.

Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence (CoE)

The CoE provides innovative resources, professional development, and practice-based consultation and coaching to early care and education professionals and families throughout the state.

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Professional Early Childhood Inclusion Credential (PECIC)

The first level of the PECIC is now available! This credential raises the level of awareness, knowledge, competency, and confidence of all professionals to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all children.

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Inclusive Child Care Program (ICCP) Designation

The designation is available to all ODJFS licensed child care centers and family child care homes and ODE preschool and school-age programs

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Child Care Choice Program Voucher

The voucher is available to families of children with special needs who are not eligible for publicly funded child care (PFCC).

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A Whole Child Perspective

Early biological, psychological and social-emotional development are critical elements of lifelong health and wellbeing. The Center for the Young Child (CYC) grounds its work in the latest brain science, policy, and research, representing the perspective of young children and their families when programs are being developed and deployed by the myriad of providers and systems supporting early childhood care and education.

Partnerships are Key to Success

Effective partnerships are critical to meet the demands of diverse and complex issues, challenges, and opportunities that face Ohio’s families and young children. The CYC is an active collaborator with local, state, and national organizations and associations, bridging gaps and fostering cooperation to create and deploy high quality, state-of-the-art solutions for families and professionals who care for and educate young children. The CYC is proud to partner with organizations across Ohio and around the country to support:

Screening and diagnoses,

Early intervention,

Improving the quality of early care and education, and

Supporting successful transitions.

Bringing Research to Practice

The CYC brings its whole child perspective and unique partnerships together with innovative thinking to help transform early childhood policy, research, and practice. From helping to ensure young children with disabilities are considered when policy is crafted to connecting providers and professionals to new ideas and concepts, the center’s work links research to real life.