Administration and Leadership College of Education Student Success Academic Excellence

Dr. Elizabeth McLaren appointed to KY Interagency Coordinating Council

25 July 2019

Dr. Elizabeth McLaren, education professor in MSU's Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education (ECESE), was appointed by Governor Matt Bevin to serve on the Kentucky Early Intervention System Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).

"We are proud to have Dr. McLaren represent MSU's excellent Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education programs on this important state-level Coordination Council," said Dr. April Miller, department chair of ECESE. "She will represent the best interests of young children and their families in this appointed position."

The Kentucky Early Intervention System Interagency Coordinating Council's role is to advise the Cabinet for Health and Family Services with a focus on the development and implementation of the Kentucky Early Intervention System, also known as First Steps. It provides developmental intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families through services that include speech, physical and occupational therapy, along with developmental response in both home and childcare settings to coach caregivers on ways to support their children's development.

"At MSU, we prepare developmental interventionists to work in First Steps through the undergraduate program and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) teacher preparation program," Dr. McLaren said. "Developmental interventionists coach families on issues such as behavior, communication, social interactions and overall cognitive development. By serving on the ICC, I can partner with state leaders on ways to improve personnel preparation at the pre-service level, know about state initiatives related to First Steps and develop professional development opportunities for current interventionists."

Dr. McLaren will represent institutions of higher education and serves for a term expiring April 20, 2022.

"I'm excited to be appointed to the ICC to work with other early childhood professionals and family members from around the state to receive regular updates about the Kentucky Early Intervention System and, hopefully, provide insight about ways to improve and streamline personnel preparation for future interventionists," she said.

For more information on the First Steps program in Kentucky, visit https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/ecdb/Pages/firststeps.aspx.

To learn more about MSU's Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/ecese, email ecese@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2598.