1. New Voices/ Nuevas Voces Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood
FPG Child Development Institute
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

2. Why we wrote this grant Changing demographics in North Carolina:
Professionals felt challenged to serve Latino children
Requests for training and assistance from professionals
Need for an effective approach to professional development on cultural and linguistic diversity

3. Project Goal
To develop, demonstrate and evaluate a training and technical assistance model that will help early childhood professionals provide better services to culturally and linguistically diverse children with disabilities and their families, particularly Latino children and families.

4. Objectives
To develop, demonstrate and refine the New Voices / Nuevas Voces Model addressing professionals’ attitudes, knowledge and skills on serving culturally and linguistically diverse children.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the New Voices / Nuevas Voces model on:
Promoting positive attitudes toward diversity
Increasing knowledge about diversity
Improving skills for working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families

5. Model Components Training Curriculum Training Methodology
Technical Assistance Process

6. What we are offering
A 3-day training institute on serving culturally and linguistically diverse children with disabilities and their families, with particular emphasis on Latino children.
Six months follow up technical assistance through consultation, access to print and web materials/resources, and listserv.

7. New Voices Training Curriculum
Foundations of Cultural Diversity
Cross-Cultural Communication
Understanding Diverse Families and Their Roles
Supporting Language Development in Young English Learners
Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children

8. How New Voices / Nuevas Voces works:
A diverse team is responsible for developing and evaluating the New Voices / Nuevas Voces model.
Advisors include ICC members and a National Panel of Experts.
NC state administrators and regional coordinators support project implementation.

9. What to expect from this institute?
Dynamic, interactive training sessions
Activities individualized to your specific needs
Opportunities to apply skills and receive feedback in a supportive environment
Strategies and skills for working more effectively with children and families from diverse populations
On-call technical assistance
Network of professional support (staff and peers)
Access to extensive resources

10. Project Evaluation Methods
All participants:
Pre and Post self-assessment
Session surveys
Project Documentation Forms
Subset of participants:
Pre and Post Observations
Pre and Post Interviews