Texas ECI Advisory Committee Chair Honored with National Award

The national IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) selected Texas ECI Committee Chair Harvey Salinas as the winner of a 2012 ITCA Regional Parent Leadership Award. These awards are given annually to acknowledge outstanding parent leadership on behalf of the IDEA Part C program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.

Winners are selected for having made significant contributions in a variety of ways such as supporting families in getting the services they need for their children with special needs, recruiting and/or training families on advocating for their child, serving on committees, and working on legislative initiatives impacting young children and families.

As the Chair of the Texas ECI Advisory Committee, Mr. Salinas has been an advocate for children with special needs and their families since the birth of his now 11-year old son Brian, who has Down Syndrome. Because of his positive experience with his ECI program, Harvey realized early the importance of providing information and support to families like his so they could help their children develop and learn. He also became a strong believer in the efficacy of early intervention. He continues to advocate for the rights of all families and children to receive the support and services they need.

Because of the relationships he developed during the three years his son was receiving Early Childhood Intervention services, he and his wife have continued supporting the local ECI program where they received services. He continues to go when he can to ECI activities, participates in fund-raising activities, and has always made himself available to talk with other families, especially Spanish-speaking families, going through what his family went through when they learned their child had special needs. As chair of the statewide ECI Advisory Committee, his impact on children and families is statewide.

Mr. Salinas received the Parent Leadership Award at the ITCA meeting in Washington DC on July 29, 2012. He also received an official certificate from Governor Rick Perry recognizing his accomplishment.