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The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (Indiana AEYC) is the state's largest and most influential organization of early childhood care and education professionals and parents promoting and supporting quality care and education for all young children, birth through age eight, in Indiana.
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In 1964, the Indiana Association of Preschool Educators became affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and changed its name to the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (Indiana AEYC). During this time, Dr. Grace Dixon served as Indiana AEYC's first President.
Beginning with two statewide conferences, one in the spring and one in the fall, Indiana AEYC continued to gain credibility by working closely with early care and education professionals, policy makers, and parents throughout the state; and by 1968, Indiana AEYC hosted the Midwest AEYC conference for the first time in Indianapolis. Indiana AEYC also moved from a governance structure of members-at-large to a board of regional representatives and
In 1969-70, Dr. Jan McCarthy, Early Childhood Department at Indiana, assumed the role of Indiana AEYC President. State University
With a Terre Haute corporate address, Indiana AEYC continued working on Association business infrastructure and became a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organization in 1982. Between 1984-85, Indiana AEYC reached a milestone - 1,000 members statewide - and continued to provide the largest early childhood conference in the state.
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Indiana AEYC continues to grow and change in order to realize its mission of promoting and supporting quality care and education for young children, birth through age eight, in Indiana.
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In 1990, Indiana AEYC was recognized as a state leader in working with policy makers to put in place a comprehensive planning system for young Hoosier children. Indiana AEYC also gained recognition for its role as a strong and vocal supporter of quality early childhood care and education. During the 90's, membership grew and brought new chapters located throughout Indiana. In 1993, the second Midwest AEYC conference was held in Indianapolis, with Indiana AEYC continuing to work with a volunteer board of directors and one paid part-time staff member who worked out of her home.
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By 1995, the Indiana AEYC Board of Directors embarked on a strategic planning process and prioritized the goals of governance, fundraising and fiscal management, staffing, programs and services, and community relations. Indiana AEYC immediately started implementing actions to meet the goals that had been set forth, resulting in the following milestones:
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1996 - Indiana AEYC received a state grant to provide financial support in order to pay the fees associated with the accreditation process.
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1997 - Indiana AEYC embraced the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Affiliate Development Planning process.
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1998 - Indiana AEYC entered into a collaborative relationship with Governor Frank O'Bannon and over 22 other statewide organizations to provide the largest early childhood conference in the state.
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1999 - Indiana AEYC established a physical presence, co-locating with three other state associations - Indiana Licensed Child Care Association, Indiana School Age Child Care Association, and Voices for Indiana's Children. Indiana AEYC now had an office, full-time staff, and reached a goal of 2,000 members statewide.
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1999 - Indiana AEYC received financial support from the Educate Indiana Grant (Department of Education) to provide early childhood study groups throughout the state of Indiana.
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1999 - Indiana AEYC's website was developed and launched, expanding the visibility and accessibility of the organization.
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2002 - Indiana AEYC hires the first full-time Executive Director
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2003 - Indiana AEYC receives two additional state grants to support the Indiana Accreditation Project and the Indiana Non Formal CDA Project.
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2004 - Indiana AEYC had celebrated its 40th anniversary, and had represented a statewide network of eighteen local chapters
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2006 – Indiana AEYC becomes a partner in Paths to QUALITYTM, Indiana’s free and voluntary quality rating system for regulated child care programs (as established by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Bureau of Child Care)
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2008 – Recipients of T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA scholarship had served more than 100,000 Hoosier children
Additional notables:
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· An operating budget of $60,000 with one part-time paid staff to a budget of over $3.1 million and 25 staff
· Chapter representation on the Indiana AEYC Board of Directors
· Implementation of the Indiana Early Childhood Higher Education Forum to improve articulation agreements between two- and four-year colleges and universities with programs in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
· Implementation of Indiana AEYC Public Policy Academies
· An annual Public Policy Agenda with priorities set by Indiana AEYC members
· The annual Indiana Early Childhood Conference regularly sees an attendance of more than 3,500 participants.
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