Why Should I Join COEC?

The COEC develops policy and clinical guidance for the optimal care for very young children (0-8 years of age). View a complete listing of COEC policies and guidelines here.

The COEC advocates on early childhood issues at the federal and state levels. The Council works with Federal and State Government Affairs staff to advocate for federal and state legislation and regulations that supports the youngest children, including early literacy programs, Child Care Developmental Block Grant Funding, Preschool Development Grant - Birth through Five Renewal Grant funding opportunity, maternal depression screening, and connections between positive parenting programs and the Family First Act.

AAP Chapter Early Childhood Champions Network

COEC members support the AAP Chapter Early Childhood Champions, a network of pediatric experts at the local level who mobilize efforts to address early childhood issues through resource promotion, training, advocacy, and systems building across early childhood settings including:

• Medical home
• Child care
• Home visiting
• Early education
• Head Start
• Early intervention
• State level systems efforts and more

The Council on Early Childhood provides educational resources on early childhood topics of interest to ALL health professionals and community partners. Examples of educational topics include the Convention on the Rights of Children, infant and toddler mental health, and early relational health.

The Council hosts the annual "H" educational program on topics of interest to Council members at the AAP National Conference. The educational session is open to all and we welcome attendees to join us for any part of the session, which includes early childhood abstract & research presentations, an educational program, and a chance to network The COEC also sponsors and co-sponsors educational sessions annually.

Early Childhood Research Network
Connect and collaborate with researchers conducting early childhood related research via Web-based seminars and at the AAP National Conference.

Abstract Program (AAP National Conference & Exhibition)
The COEC accepts abstracts for poster presentations that highlight successful approaches to promoting optimal early brain and child development, the impact of early education and child care, parenting and early screening and other early childhood topics. Both research and program abstracts are accepted. The COEC recognizes two abstracts as oral presentations and awards certificates to the Best Poster presentation and the Best Poster Presentation from a Trainee at the discretion of the abstract review committee.

Early Literacy Sub-committee
Connect with others interested in early literacy including Reach Out and Read members with ongoing activities in the areas of literacy promotion, advocacy and research.

Early Childhood Research Network
Connect and collaborate with researchers conducting early childhood related research via Web-based seminars and at the AAP National Conference.

Early Care and Education Committee
Improves early care and education settings for children and families through promoting early childhood brain development (cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral development). This committee has an opportunity to volunteer as reviewers for early care and education content and share their expertise within the field of early care and education. 

Member Education Committee
Develops, organizes, and distributes valuable educational content to COEC members. We do this through:  Formal programming (ie National Conference and Exhibition H programming and co-sponsorship for other sessions). Signature events, such as webinars, where we share research and expertise of the Council.

The Dr Susan S. Aronson Early Education and Child Care Advocacy Award, established in 2004, recognizes a health care professional who has made a significant contribution to improve quality of care for children in early education and child care settings (all aspects, including health, safety, social-emotional, developmental, and educational. This award is presented annually at the COEC educational program during the AAP National Conference.

The COEC provides additional opportunities to connect with other like-minded individuals; share resources, program activities, and best practices; engage in learning and professional growth opportunities.

• COEC Member newsletter - Learn from and contribute to the newsletter which includes Council updates, early childhood related opportunities and activities, helpful resources and new research.
• COEC Members only website (collaboration space) – Access and contribute to website content including Council announcements, access to portals for the other subcommittees, and archived newsletters and key resources and trainings.
• COEC listserv – Stay connected and ask questions among other members
• Early Childhood Champion newsletter - Learn about early childhood resources, partners to know, and share promising activities
• Timely updates from COEC Federal and State Advocacy staff contacts