KATHY THOMPSON WHALEY
103 Shale Stone
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
kathy.whaley@unc.edu
Home: (919)-968-6093
Work: (919)-962-7317
EDUCATION
1978 – 1980
Masters of Science - Child Development and Family Relations
School of Home Economics
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
1974 – 1978
Bachelor of Science - Child Development and Family Relations
School of Home Economics
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
1988 – 1989
Completion of the Family, Infant Specialist Training Course
(12 Semester Hours towards a Master of Science in Education)
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
EXPERTISE AND SPECIAL INTERESTS
Early childhood transition, inclusion, preschool LRE, IDEA - Section 619 policies and programs,
personnel development systems, recruitment and retention, personnel development strategies such
as coaching and mentoring, identification of topical information and design of Web-pages,
developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom-based practices, family support, adult
learning, planned change, consultation, group facilitation and system changes strategies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2001 – present National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
Chapel Hill, NC
Technical Assistance Specialist
Leads and participates in teams including collaboration with other regional and
national TA providers to address identified state challenges through the
development and implementation of strategic state work plans. Developed
strategic work plans or intensive technical assistance strategies for each assigned
state (CT, ME, MT, ID, ND, KS) with state personnel and key stakeholders.
Research and analyze relevant information about state context and initiatives.
Provide and/or coordinate technical assistance to implement the state strategic
work plans including monitoring and evaluation of implementation. Provides TA
to state clients and national audiences on planned change strategies and researchbased practice information related to young children with disabilities and their
families in the issue areas of IDEA, preschool special education, early childhood
inclusion and transition. Issue Chair for the Personnel Development and Early
Childhood Transition issue teams including the development of technical
expertise, resource identification, analysis and synthesis. Contributes to the
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organization’s web site and print resources in the areas of personnel development
systems, early childhood transition, preschool LRE and inclusion. Organizes and
implements a variety of technical assistance strategies to national, state and local
clients as a co-facilitator of the OSEP Preschool LRE Community of Practice
Initiative. Facilitates the efforts of state teams in developing and improving
inclusive service delivery systems as part of the Expanding Opportunities Federal
Interagency Initiative.
1994 – 2001
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance system (NECTAS)
Chapel Hill, NC
Technical Assistance Specialist
Provided a variety of technical assistance, facilitation and training services to the
state coordinators of the IDEA Early Childhood State Programs including the
Part C and Section 619 Programs including responsibility for coordinating and
providing technical assistance to 20 states. Planned and implemented regional
meetings for the state level Preschool Coordinators. Created and maintained two
extensive Web pages with research, resources and products related to personnel
development systems and early childhood transition. Developed syntheses of
resources for financing inclusive service systems, early childhood transition and
autism spectrum disorders. Served on an Autism Spectrum Disorder Workgroup
to identify national issues, expertise and recommended practice for state systems
of care through a variety of TA activities and materials development.
Contributed to the implementation of the annual National Early Childhood
Conference.
1993 – 1994
NC Training and Technical Assistance Project
Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC
Consultant
Provided training and technical assistance to local education agency personnel
serving preschool children with disabilities on a NC Department of Public
Instruction contract.
1992 – 1993
Project SUNRISE (Systematic Use of Newly Researched Interventions by
Special Educators), Family, Infant and Preschool Program
Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC.
Outreach Consultant
Provided a variety of technical assistance and training on an EEPCD multi-state
outreach project.
1988 – 1992
Project SUNRISE, Family, Infant and Preschool Program,
Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC.
Project Coordinator
Coordinated an EEPCD (Early Education Program for Children with Disabilities)
multi-state outreach grant funded by the US Department of Education, Office of
Special Education Programs. Provided training to center-based early intervention
programs. Outreach activities included on-site training, group training,
consultation, technical assistance, dissemination, public awareness, and
participation in state and regional activities. Assisted the Project Director in
designing and implementing model development and program evaluation
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activities.
1986 – 1988
Project SUNRISE, Family, Infant and Preschool Program,
Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC.
Educational Consultant
Provided consultation, technical assistance, and on-site training to classroombased programs serving children with disabilities, ages birth through five years,
in a OSEP funded multi-state outreach grant.
1980 – 1986
Early Childhood Intervention Services
Catawba County Mental Health Services
Hickory, NC
Habilitation Specialist II
Provided home-based services for families of children with or at-risk for disabilities, ages
birth through five years. Provided workshops and inservice training opportunities to
local and state service providers.
1979 – 1980
Farmville Child Development Center
Farmville, NC
Lead Teacher Coordinator
Lead Teacher/Coordinator in a Developmental Day Center for preschoolers with
disabilities. Programmatic supervisor of three teachers and their classroom
operations.
1978 – 1979
Demonstration Preschool Program
Department of Child Development and Family Relations
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Lead Teacher – Graduate Assistant
Lead teacher for University model demonstration preschool classroom. Assisted
in training, supervision, and evaluation of undergraduate child development
students.
1977 – 1977
Preschool Demonstration Program
East Carolina University
Department of Child Development and Family Relations
Greenville, NC
Teacher Aide
Teacher Aide in summer preschool program for 3-5 year olds.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS, SPECIAL ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
2007
National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Trainer and member of Frank
Porter Graham Child Development Institutes’ NCBI Team
2005 – 2007
Trustee, Evergreen United Methodist Church
2006
Member of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute First School
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Initiative Transition Committee
2001-present
Co-Facilitator of the Office of Special Education Programs’ Preschool
LRE Community of Practice
1994 – 1997
President, President-Elect and Vice-President, NC
Division for Early Childhood, Council for Exceptional Children
1991 - 1995
Practicum Supervisor for teachers completing the NC Department of Public
Instruction, Division for Exceptional Children’s Preschool Handicapped Add-on
Certification.
1991 - 1993
Membership Chairperson, North Carolina Division for Early Childhood.
1990 - 1992
Member of the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee,
North Carolina Division for Early Childhood.
1989 - 1991
Member of the Public Awareness Task Force
North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council.
1988 - 1990
Secretary, North Carolina Division for Early Childhood/
Council for Exceptional Children.
1988 - 1989
Vice Chairperson, North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council
1986 - 1988
Chairperson of the Needs Assessment Task Force, North Carolina Interagency
Comprehensive Preschool Planning Grant (North Carolina Interagency
Coordinating Council).
1985 - 1986
Advisory board member, Project HAPPEN
Family, Infant and Preschool Program, Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC.
1985 -1986
President, Catawba Valley Association for the Education of Young Children.
1985 - 1986
President, Catawba County CEC.
1985
Member of a committee funded by the North Carolina
Developmental Disabilities Council to develop a statewide brochure for the
North Carolina Early Intervention Network.
1983 - 1986
Served on an advisory board for the FAMILIES RESEARCH PROJECT-UNC
Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center.
1983 - 1986
Member of an interagency committee to provide free developmental screening
clinics for preschool residents of Catawba County (Publicity Chairperson).
President of Catawba County Head Start Policy Council.
1983 - 1986
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
2006
Member of the Carolina 20 Year Society, UNC –Chapel Hill
1998
Award presented by the NC Division for Early Childhood for “Contributions to
NC-DEC”
1992 and 1994 Employee of the Year:
Outstanding Contributions in the Area of Training
Awarded by the Family, Infant and Preschool Program,
Western Carolina Center
Morganton, NC
PUBLICATIONS
Kasprzak, C., Hurth, J., Rooney, R., Goode, S. E., Danaher, J. C., Whaley, K. T., Ringwalt, S. S.,
& Cate, D. (2011). States' accountability and progress in serving young children with disabilities,
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. Advance online publication, May 20, 2011.
doi:10.1177/0271121411408119
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (2011) Evaluation Summary of the
Expanding Opportunities Interagency Inclusion Initiative. (2011). Retrieved from
http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/exp_opps_eval_summary.pdf
Cate, D., Diefendorf, M., McCullough, K., Peters, M., & Whaley, K. (2010) Quality indicators of
inclusive programs/practices: A compilation of selected resources. Retrieved from
http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/qualityindicatorsinclusion.pdf
Müller, E., Whaley, K., & Rous, B. (2009). State efforts to meet the early childhood transition
requirements of IDEA. Retrieved from
http://www.projectforum.org/docs/StateEffortstoMeettheECTransitionRequirementsofIDEAfinal.
pdf
National Early Childhood Transition Initiative. (2008). Designing and implementing effective
early childhood transition processes. Retrieved from
http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/topics/transition/ECTransitionPaper.pdf
Whaley, K. & Goode, S. (2005). Transitions from Infant Toddler Services to Preschool special
Education: Minibibliography. Chapel Hill, NC. NECTAC.
Whaley, K., Goode, S. & deFosset, S. (2005). Selected Resources on Financing Early Childhood
Systems to Support Inclusive Options for Young children with Disabilities: Minibibliography.
Chapel, Hill, NC: NECTAC.
Rosenkoetter, S.E., Whaley, K.T., Hains, A.H. & Pierce, L. (2001). The evolution of transition
policy for young children with special needs and their families: Past, present, and future. Topics
in Early Childhood Special Education, 21(1), 3-15.
Hurth, J., Shaw, E., Izeman, S., Whaley, K. & Rogers, S. (1999). Areas of agreement about
effective practices among programs serving young children with autism spectrum disorders.
Infants and Young Children, 12(2), 17-26.
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Whaley, K.T. & Shaw, E. (Eds.). (1999). NECTAS Resource Collection on Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Chapel Hill, NC: NECTAS.
Sperry, L.A., Whaley, K.T., Shaw, E. & Brame, K. (1998). Services for young children with
autism spectrum disorders: Voices of parents and providers. Infants and Young Children, 11(4),
17-34.
Whaley, K.T. (1992). The Project SUNRISE experience. In R.A. McWilliam, The familycentered intervention: A guide to meaningful early intervention. Tucson, AZ: Communication
Skill Builders.
Whaley, K.T., & Bennett, T.C. (1991). Promoting engagement in early childhood special
education. Teaching Exceptional Children 23(4),51-54.
Raab, M., Blount, C., & Whaley, K. (1990). Child Behavior Scale. Unpublished scale. Family,
Infant, and Preschool Program, Western Carolina Center, Morganton, NC.
Selected Presentations and Training
Whaley, K. & Cate, D. (2011, November) Early childhood transition: National landscape and
implications for practice. Presentation at the Division for Early Childhood 27th Annual
International Conference, National Harbor, MD.
Calahan, C., Nichols, S., Peters, M., Tuchman-Ginsberg, L., & Whaley, K. (2011, September).
State TA Systems Networking Meeting. Presentation and Meeting Facilitation at the 2011
Measuring Child and Family Outcomes Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Whaley, K. (2011, August). LRE for Preschool Children with Disabilities : Requirements and
Updates. Presentation for the 2011 Utah Law Conference, Ogden, UT.
Whaley, K. (2011, August). IDEA Early Childhood Transition Requirement: Updates,
Implications and Resource. Presentation for the 2011 Utah Law Conference, Ogden, UT.
Gregory, J., McCullough, K, Whaley, K. Wilberger, S., & Winton, P. (2011, July) Building State
and Community Capacity for Inclusion. Presentation at the 2011 OSEP Leadership Conference,
Crystal City, VA.
Diefendorf, M, Whaley, K., Smith, B. & Ellis, D. (2011, July). Collaborative planning for state
early learning systems. Presentation at the 2011 OSEP Leadership Conference, Crystal City, VA.
Cate, D. & Whaley, K. (2011, May). Expanding inclusive opportunities - Impacts of collaborative
interagency planning . Presentation at the National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute. Chapel
Hill, NC.
Whaley, K. Diefendorf, M & Hannigan, D. (2010, June). Expanding Opportunities: Interagency
Strategies for Building Inclusive Practice. Presentation at the 2010 National Early Childhood
Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
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Cate, D. & Whaley, K. (2010, November. Early childhood APP/APR transition indicators:
National trends. Presentation for the 2010 Part C and Preschool Review of APR Indicators
Webinar Series, Chapel Hill, NC.
Kahn, L., Whaley, K. & Ringwalt, S. (2009, December) Demonstrating progress: Trends and
highlights from the 2007 - 2008 annual performance reports (APR). Presentation for the OSEP
National Early Childhood Conference. Washington, DC.
Whaley, K.T. (2007, August). Transition from Part C to Part B, Section 619: Federal Context,
Issues, Rules and Strategies. Presentation and Group Facilitation for the Wyoming Division of
Developmental Disabilities EC State Conference, Casper, WY.
Whaley, KT (2007, August). Managing and Sustaining Change. Presentation for the Seventh
Annual Inclusion Institute. Chapel, Hill. NC.
Whaley, K.T. (2007, May). Early Childhood Inclusion in Louisiana. Facilitation and Presentation
for the Louisiana Department of Education Early Childhood Program. Baton Rouge, LA and
Alexandria, LA.
Whaley, K.T. & Benitz, C. (2006, September). Early Childhood Transition from Part C to Part
B. Regional Training for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the North
Dakota Department of Human Services, Minot, Fargo and Grand Forks, ND.
Whaley, K.T. (2006, July). Who Sees What As a Problem Anyway? Managing and Sustaining
Change. Presentation at the Sixth National Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
Hornback, M., Goosen, M. & Whaley, K.T. (2006, July). Kansas Monitoring and Technical
Assistance Strategies for Inclusive Preschool Placement Options. Presentation at the Sixth
National Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (2005, October). Federal Context for Changing Times and Practices. Keynote
presentation for the Maine Department of Education, Child Development Services Statewide
Conference, Bangor, Maine.
Whaley, K.T. (2005, September). Correcting Non-Compliance for Transition: Context, Issues
and Strategies. Presentation for the Ohio Office of Early Childhood Education, Columbus, OH.
Whaley, K.T. (2005, August) Thinking About Change. Presentation at the Federal Interagency
Expanding Opportunities Initiative State Team Meetings, Chapel Hill, NC.
Grisham-Brown, J. & Whaley, K.T. (2004, July). Authentic Assessment and Linked Intervention:
Implications for Preschool LRE. Presentation at the Fourth National Inclusion Institute, Chapel
Hill, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (2003, February) Selected Regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) Related to Part B and Part C. Panel presentation at the National Early
Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Whaley, K.T. (2002, July). Issues in Early Childhood: Considerations for Services in Natural
and Least Restrictive Environments. Presentation for the Utah Special Education Law
Conference, Provo, UT.
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Whaley, K. T., Rosenkoetter, S., Hains A.& Pierce,L.(2001, December) The Evolution of
Transition Policy: Past Present and Future, Presentation at the Seventeenth International DEC
Conference.
Whaley, K.T. (2001, November). Play Nice Together: Resources for Effective Teamwork for You,
Your Colleagues and Your Students. Presentation for the Midwest Faculty Institute, Kansas City,
MO.
Whaley, K.T. (2001, October). The Preschool Program For Children With Disabilities:
Considerations for Planning and Implementation. Presentation for the Alaska Department of
Education’s Special Education Director’s Conference.
Whaley, K.T. (2001, August). Delivering Inclusive Services in Rural Settings. Presentation at the
Second National Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
Fire, N., Trohanis, P. Ayankoya, B. & Whaley, K.T. (2001, April). An Overview to the NECTAC
Web-based Training Model. A presentation for the CSPD Director’s conference, Alexandria, VA.
Whaley, K.T. (2000, April). The NECTAC ASD Forum Activities: Implications for Personnel
Development and Inservice Training for Professionals Working with Young children with ASD
and their Families. Invited presentation for the OSEP ASD Workgroup of the National
Academies of Science, Washington, DC.
Whaley, KT & Shaw, E. (2000, January). Quality Practices: Programs for Young Children with
Autism in the 21st Century. Keynote presentation for the North Carolina Preschool Coordinator’s
Annual Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.
Whaley, K.T. & Shaw, E. (1999, December). Policy Options and Considerations for Young
children with Autism Spectrum disorder and their Families. Presentation at the Fifteenth Annual
International Division for Early Childhood Conference, Washington, DC.
Whaley, K.T. (1995, June). Individual Education Plans, Presentation at the Texas Statewide
Early Childhood Education Conference, Houston, TX.
Whaley, K.T. (1994, October). Teamwork. Keynote presentation at the South Carolina Division
for Early Childhood State Conference, Columbia, SC.
Whaley, K.T. (1993, February). Promoting developmentally appropriate practice: A model for
center-based programs. Presentation at the Tennessee Collaborative Conference on Young
Children with Special Needs and Their Families, Nashville, TN.
Raab, M. & Whaley, K.T. (1992, December). Fostering the convergence of developmentally
appropriate practice and special education in preschool settings. Presentation at the Eighth
Annual International Division for Early Childhood Conference, Washington, DC.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, September). Supporting parent and professional partnerships through
functional intervention a Presentation at the Magic Years V Conference, Albuquerque, NM.
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Whaley, K.T. (1992, August). Ecological assessment of classroom program practices: tools for
decision-making. Presentation at the Third Annual Southeastern Regional DEC/Headstart
Conference, Orlando, FL.
Whaley, K.T. & Davis M. (1992, July). The dynamics of change: Implications for center-based
programs. Presentation at the 1992 SUNRISE Summer Institute, Hilton Head Island, SC.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, June). Early intervention: Looking at the past and visions for the future.
Keynote presentation at the 12th Annual Early Intervention Conference, Murfreesboro, TN.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, June). Parent and professional partnerships through functional intervention
planning. Presentation at the 12th Annual Early Intervention Conference, Murfreesboro, TN.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, May). Supporting parent-professional communication. Presentation at the
Western Regional Child Care Conference, Asheville, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, April). Family support and multi-systems response. Keynote presentation
at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Sixth Annual Children, Adolescents, and
Their Families Spring Conference, Columbia, SC.
Whaley, K.T. (1992, March). Integrating the special needs component into classroom routines .
Presentation at the annual North Carolina Headstart Association Conference, Raleigh, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1991, October). Assessing classroom environments. Presentation at the
Appalachian Early Intervention Conference, Johnson City, TN.
Whaley, K.T. (1991, October). Integrating specialized therapies into daily routines in centerbased programs. Presentation at the North Carolina Division for Early Childhood Second Annual
Conference, Comelius, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1991, October). Effective change in child care programs. Presentation at the
North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Study Conference,
Winston-Salem, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1991, July). Responsive intervention in classroom settings. Presentation at the
1991 Project SUNRISE Institute, Hilton Head, SC.
Whaley, K.T. (1991, October). Effective change in child care programs. Presentation at the
North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Study Conference,
Winston-Salem, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1990, November). Working with families for the development of educational plans
for preschool children with special needs. Presentation made at the 42nd Annual Conference on
Exceptional Children. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Charlotte, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1990, August). Parent-professional partnerships in the early childhood
classroom. Presentation made at the 4th Annual International Portage Conference. Madison, WI.
Whaley, K.T., Taylor, M., & Dollman, C. (1990, July). Integrating support services into daily
routines. Presentation made at the Project SUNRISE Training for Excellence Institute. Hilton
Head Island, SC.
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Whaley, K.T. (1990, May). Challenges for child care centers: Mainstreaming young children
with special needs. Presentation at the Western Regional Child Care Conference. Asheville, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1990, May). Effective parent conferences. Presentation made at the Western
Regional Child Care Conference. Asheville, NC.
Whaley, K.T., Raab, M. (1990, April). Assessing classroom environments: Implications for
intervention. Presentation made at the 68th International Council for Exceptional Children
Conference. Toronto, Canada.
Whaley, K.T. (1990, April). Developmentally appropriate instructional practices for 3-5 year
olds. Presentation made at the In-Tac New Visions Conference. Raleigh, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1990, February). Ecological assessment. Presentation made at the DPI Training
Institute. Raleigh, NC.
Whaley, K.T., Taylor, M. (1990, February). Assessing early childhood classroom environments:
Implications for intervention. Presentation made at the 3rd Annual N.C. Federation CEC
Conference. Raleigh, NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1989, October). Best practices for child success. Pre-conference workshop given
at the Fifth Annual International Early Childhood Conference on Children with Special Needs.
Minneapolis, MN.
Whaley, K.T. (1989, September). Strategies for teaching young handicapped children in a
mainstreamed setting. Presentation made at the NCAEYC Annual Conference. Raleigh, NC.
Whaley, K.T., Taylor, M., Dollman, C. (1989, August). A functional approach to developing
IEP's. Presentation made at the SUNRISE Training for Excellence Institute. Wrightsville Beach,
NC.
Whaley, K.T. (1988, August). Project SUNRISE: A model for classroom-based programs.
Presentation made for the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special
Education, Early Childhood Special Education Outreach Fair. Calberton, MD.
McWilliam, R.A. & Garwood, K.T. (1988, July). A continuum of responsive teaching strategies.
Presentation made at the Project SUNRISE Training for Excellence Institute. Hilton Head Island,
SC.
McWilliam, R.A. & Garwood, K.T. (1988, May). Getting your ducks in a row: How to start a
classroom program. Presentation made at the Family, Infant and Preschool Program Fifth
Annual Forum on Young Children and Their Families. Morganton, NC.
Garwood, K.T. (1988, April). How to promote an engaging classroom. Presentation for the
Greensboro Association for the Education of Young Children. Greensboro, NC.
McWilliam, R. & Garwood, K.T. (1988, March). Promoting engagement: Strategies for child
success. Conference presentation made for the Pediatric Research and Training Center,
University of Connecticut Health Center, The Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation,
and The Connecticut Department of Education Training Conference. Farmington, CT.
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