Moderators: Megan Purcell, DEC President. LaShorage Shaffer, Vice President
This session will
highlight some of the OSEP early childhood investments. OSEP partners with many offices and agencies to support outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families. Additionally, the session will showcase how the OSEP funded centers partner with others to develop products and services.
The session will highlight the “Be Part of” early intervention recruitment campaign, a partnership between OSEP, ECPC, and DEC.
BIO: Valerie C. Williams serves as the director in the Office of Special Education Programs (
OSEP) within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (
IDEA). Williams most recently served for six years as senior director of Government Relations and External Affairs at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. She has decades of experience, which include supporting state-level special education leaders by overseeing federal government public policy activities, federal regulatory affairs, public relations, and key initiatives to promote equity and guide positive systemic change, thereby improving outcomes for students with disabilities. She also served as the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellow, on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee advancing disability policy and civil rights. She has a unique perspective, having worked with members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill, with advocacy organizations, supporting state special education leaders, and most importantly, being the parent of a son with Down syndrome.
