Our History
Since our inception over two decades ago, Kids Included Together (KIT) has grown from an idea into one of the foremost organizations for understanding and practice of inclusion.
1996
Where We Began
Based upon a concept initiated by Gayle and Don Slate, Kids Included Together was organized as a pilot project at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, with funding from the Jewish Community Foundation.
1997
KIT, Inc.
Kids Included Together incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with Gayle Slate as board president.
1999
From the Top
Mary Shea becomes the first Executive Director for Kids Included Together.
2003
Spreading the Word
Kids Included Together hosts the first national conference dedicated to inclusion in out-of-school time.
2006
Joining The Navy
Kids Included Together begins work with US Navy Region Southwest via a grant from First 5 California.
Training Days
Kids Included Together creates “Embracing Inclusion” training program for Boys & Girls Clubs of America through a grant from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.
2007
NTCI Opens
Opening of the Kids Included Together National Training Center on Inclusion (NTCI).
Online Learning
With generous support from Qualcomm, Kids Included Together develops its first online learning modules in partnership with the San Diego State University Interwork Institute Center for Distance Learning.
2008
Crossing State Lines
Generous funding from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation allows Kids Included Together to expand its reach into eight states outside of California.
Reaching Across The Globe
Kids Included Together begins providing inclusion training & support to US Navy Child & Youth Programs worldwide.
2010
Giving Credit
Kids Included Together offers formal continuing education units for its programs as an Authorized Provider of the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET).
Joining Forces
Kids Included Together military partnership expanded to include US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Child & Youth Programs.
2011
Inclusion Champions
Kids Included Together presented with a national Inclusion Champions Award by the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.
2013
Washington, D.C.
Kids Included Together opens a satellite office in Washington, DC, at the National Youth Transitions Center.
2014
Century Community Learning Centers
KIT served on a Department of Education funded technical working group to build the capacity for inclusion within 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLCs). KIT provided technical assistance for evidence-based inclusive practices to 21st CCLC programs in three states (CA, MA, and UT).
2015
United Nations Alliance
Kids Included Together awarded special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Receiving Honors
KIT Board of Directors wins Kaleidoscope Award for Exceptional Governance from the University of San Diego.
2016
Mission: More is Possible
The mission of Kids Included Together expands from out-of-school to include K-12 education. Launches with a presentation by our CEO at SXSWedu in Austin, TX, and a partnership with The Inclusive Class to develop our first online K-12 module on the topic of inclusive classrooms.
2017
Behavior Support
KIT takes to the road to train Army Child & Youth Services Personnel on implementation of the Operational Guidance for Behavior Support. Army CYS and KIT led the way for operationalizing behavior in ways that emphasize behavior as communication and an opportunity to teach skills.
2019
I Can Be Inclusive
KIT Academy releases I Can Be Inclusive, a set of interactive video courses for youth professionals to learn the basics of how to create inclusive environments.
2020
Virtual Training
KIT pivoted to virtual trainings and site visits due to the pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, KIT facilitated 279 virtual training sessions with 19,329 participants.
2021
KIT Academy
KIT Academy Reaches All 50 States!
