Mission Statement

The mission of the Missouri Federation of the Council for Exceptional
Children is to shape the future of special education in Missouri by enhancing
education opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities resulting in
improved outcomes.

Officers

Shirley Steffens, President steffen@nwmissouri.edu

Misty LaRoe, President Elect mlaroe@socket.net

Cecelia Coppenbarger, Vice President coppen@sbcglobal.net

Carla Harrison, Past President caharrison@spsmail.org

Trudy Williams, Secretary trudy.williams@fhsdschools.org

Pat Ehlmann, Treasurer pehlmann@hotmail.com

Gail Christian, Membership GailChristian@hotmail.com

Tamara Arthaud, Student Advisor TamaraArthaud@missouristate.org

Marc Montgomery, CAN Representative

Trudy Williams, Web Administrator trudy.williams@fhsdschools.org

Caryn Deckard, Newsletter caryndeck@sbcglobal.net

Goals

• To commit resources toward expansion of professional development
and collaboration.

• To recruit and retain personnel in the field of special education.

• To promote and maintain advocacy networks and coalitions to achieve
positive influence with elected and administrative policy makers.

• To increase and maintain membership.

• To recognize and support the membership and other professionals through the awards program.

Activities

Goal A: To commit resources toward expansion of professional
development and collaboration.

1. Develop a conference planning committee and other committees as appointed.

2. Disseminate new and current issues/practices to the membership.
a. By maintaining and updating a website www.missouricec.org
b. By poting a current calendar and other information on relevant conferences, seminars, presentations, etc.
c. By posting a newsletter

3. Continue to develop and strengthen partnerships with other parents, regular educators, professionals organizations and other service providers.

4. Support divisions and chapter meetings as well as collaborate with DESE on statewide issures by appointing members to represent CEC on statewide committees.

Goal B: To recruit and retain personnel in the field of special
education.

1. Support a Retention and Recruitment Committee chaired by the
SCEC Board advisor.

2. Collaborate with higher education institutions to recruit and support
prospective special education professionals.
a. Collaborate with student advisors of colleges/universities offering
special education programs.
b. Maintain and develop SCEC (student) chapters in universities and
colleges.
c. Provide incentives for existing SCEC members to address CEC goals.
d. Encourage participation in school career days and/or other school activities.

Goal C: To promote and maintain effective advocacy networks and
coalitions to achieve positive influence with elected and administrative
policy makers.

1. Develop and maintain coalitions with groups and organizations that have a common
interest in influencing educational public policy.
a. Provide information to organizations, groups, and individuals, who have a common interest in exceptional children.
b. Communicate priorities of Missouri Federation Children and Youth
Action Network (CAN) to organizations, groups and individuals.
c. Communicate “Action Needed” plans as appropriate.
d. Communicate “Information” items as appropriate
e. Meet with representatives of organizations and groups to develop plans
to achieve priorities of common interest.

2. Strengthen the existing Children and Youth Action Network (CAN)
within subdivisions and chapters.
a. Identify regional CAN coordinators and maintain current phone
numbers and addresses.
b. Identify chapter and subdivision legislative chairs and maintain current
phone numbers and addresses.
c. Form committee of above and assist in identification of Federation
priorities.
d. Disseminate priorities to Federation Board, chapters, and subdivisions.
e. Conduct ongoing training of subdivisions and legislative chairs in
network.
f. Meet with policy makers (elected and administrative) regarding
Federation priorities and current issues affecting exceptional children.
g. Communicate “Action Needed” and “Information” items throughout
networks.
h. Represent Missouri at CAN meetings sponsored by CEC.

Goal D: To increase and maintain membership

1. Maintain a membership committee
2. Increase the number of CEC members in Missouri.
a. Provide a personal follow up to new members.
b. Provide membership information via the newsletter and website.

Goal E: To recognize and support the membership and other
professional through the awards program.

1. Recognize outstanding members of CEC.
a. Direct awards committee to develop guidelines for recognition of
members statewide.
b. Encourage each chapter and subdivision to recognize a member at the
state CEC spring meeting.

2. Increase opportunities for and services to CEC members.
a. Recognize a person or business in the community each year for their
contribution to special education
b. Seek community support for special education activities