ECSE Connect is an online community for parents/caregivers of a child with a disability or delay. It is hosted on Discord by volunteer parents of children in Bloomington's Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program. You do not need to live in Bloomington to join!
Meet other parents and caregivers
Share joys and concerns
Get professional recommendations
Fill out our Request to Join Form which includes providing your contact information and agreeing to the community guidelines. Once approved, you will receive a welcome email with an invite link.
Who can join?
Any parent or caregiver of a child with a disability or extra medical needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Physical Impairment or Learning Disability.
Do I have to live in Bloomington to join?
No. The community is simply based in Bloomington.
Where is the community hosted?
ECSE Connect is hosted on a Discord server. More about Discord.
Who moderates the community?
The community is moderated by ECSE parents who are also members of the Bloomington Early Learning Advisory Council.
How is my privacy protected?
The ECSE Connect Discord server is a private online group. Only individuals who have filled out the Request to Join form and been approved will receive an invitation to join the server.
How do you ensure this is a safe place to share about my family?
We have a verification process to ensure the integrity of the community; this includes all members having a relationship with Bloomington Early Learning Services and agreeing to the Community Guidelines (see above).
Do I have to share or can I just join to see what it is like?
You can do whatever works for you! While we encourage everyone to engage, we also realize support might be “being heard” or simply observing what others are sharing.
What if I am having trouble getting in or have more questions?
Send an email to our community moderator at ECSEconnect@gmail.com. We would be happy to help you!