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Welcome to
CEC’s Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)!
Here you will find the tools needed
to begin or enhance your advocacy campaign on behalf of students with
disabilities and/or gifts and talents. While
this site is designed to assist CAN Coordinators in building their
network, everyone is encouraged to take action and become part of the
political and regulatory
process.
About CEC’s Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
- What is CAN?
- Who can be a CAN Coordinator?
- What are the responsibilities of a CAN
Coordinator?
- New CAN Coordinator Online Orientation
- How can I become active with CAN if I am not able to
become a Coordinator?
- Who should I contact for additional
information?
About CEC’s Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
- What is CAN?
CEC’s Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) is an organized
group of volunteers who are dedicated to helping advance policy
affecting students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CAN seeks
to (1) effect the necessary governmental changes at the local, state and
federal levels which will make possible the implementation of CEC
policies relating to the education of exceptional children; and (2) to
further vitalize CEC units by providing meaningful vehicles for
membership and CEC public visibility.
- Who can be a CAN Coordinator?
Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) Coordinators are
selected by their respective units (either state/provincial or
division).
CAN Coordinators must be committed to advancing CEC’s policies
through effective grassroots advocacy. Some of the factors to be
considered in appointing a Coordinator include:
-
A commitment to the policies of CEC.
-
A willingness to devote the necessary time (approximately 10-15
hours per month) to carry out all responsibilities related to this
position.
-
A freedom to speak for and represent CEC to policy makers and the
public.
-
An access to e-mail, telephone, FAX machine, mail, duplication, and
other communication devices.
-
A willingness to serve a minimum of two years in this
capacity.
In addition, all units are encouraged to have an "alternate CAN
contact" to ensure there is no disruption in communication between
CEC’s Policy and Communication Services Unit (PCSU) and the
state/providence/division.
- How long is a typical term of a CAN
Coordinator?
It is recommended that CAN Coordinators serve at least two years;
however, Coordinators are encouraged to commit themselves for longer
periods if at all possible.
If there is a change of CAN Coordinators, please notify Jill
Berthiaume, CEC Policy Coordinator (phone: 800-224-6830 or email:
pubpol@cec.sped.org) preferably
prior to the new Coordinator’s effective date.Please note: CEC
will not change the name of the Coordinator until written instruction to
do so is received from the unit president. In addition, please
present the name and contact information of the new Coordinator and the
name of the Coordinator being replaced.
- What are the responsibilities of a CAN
Coordinator?
As a leading advocate for students with disabilities and/or gifts and
talents, a CAN coordinator plays an integral role in advancing policy in
federal agencies and federal/state governments.
CAN coordinators represent CEC members from their state, unit or
division and are responsible for effectively communicating CEC’s
policy initiatives and building a strong grassroots network
CAN Coordinator responsibilities include:
- Regular communications with members in the network
- Establish relationships with elected officials and/or government
officials
- Develop an effective grassroots advocacy network
- Develop regional coordinators
- Provide state/province information to CEC’s Public Policy
Unit
- Serve only 1 unit
- Provide Unit’s public policy priorities to CEC’s Public
Policy Unit
- Conduct training for Units
CEC relies on CAN coordinators to build and sustain a strong network to
ensure that members are well informed of the policy issues concerning
students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. An effective CAN
network is pivotal to making progress on Capitol Hill, in federal
agencies and in state governments.
- How can I become active with CAN if I
am not able to become a Coordinator?
There are many ways to help support the goals of CAN, without the
significant commitment of becoming a CAN Coordinator. Below are some of
the ways to help advance policy affecting students with disabilities
and/or gifts and talents:
- Email your members of Congress directly from CEC’s Legislative
Action Center – and tell your family, friends and colleagues to do
the same!
- Sign up for CEC’s Weekly Policy Updates by emailing pubpol@cec.sped.org
- Sign up for CEC’s Smart Brief for the latest news send
directly to your inbox five times per week by visiting http://www.smartbrief.com/cec/
- Continue to monitor CEC’s website for breaking news and
information
- Who should I contact for additional
information?
For additional information on the CAN Coordinator program,
please contact Jill Berthiaume, CEC Policy Coordinator at (800)
224-6830 ext. 441 or via email: pubpol@cec.sped.org.
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