November 3, 2021 Child Development Associate (CDA) Programs for Spring & Fall 2022 Looking to receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential? Check out our programs to get certified, renew your certification, and more! What is a CDA Credential? A CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The credential enables professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States, and provides opportunities for increased pay. Interested applicants may complete the CDA Interest Form to connect with a member of our staff. Please share this flyer with your networks. Trying Together’s CDA Programs Trying Together offers the following CDA programs at no cost to eligible early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania: CDA Credential Preparation Program Spring 2022 Classes: 1/11/22 – 6/14/22 (Deadline to Register: 12/20/21) Fall 2022 Classes: 8/30/22 – 3/28/23 Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology Participants complete 135 hours of professional development to earn their CDA Credential in six to nine months. Participants can matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University upon credential completion. CDA Credential Community of Practice Program Fall 2021 Classes: 11/16/21 – 1/4/22 (Deadline to Register: 11/11/21) Spring 2022 Classes: Spring Classes: 3/1/22 – 4/26/22 Biweekly Zoom Meetings and Schoology Participants receive support in building a portfolio and preparing for the CDA Credential Exam. Applicants must have proof of 120 hours of coursework completed via professional development hours, transcripts, etc. CDA Credential Renewal Program Participants review current standards, literature, strategies, and more to meet the criteria for eight early childhood subject areas upon completion. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. More Information For more information, visit our CDA Credential page. To ask a question about our programs, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org or Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org. For eligibility questions, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org.
July 26, 2021 CDA Program Available At No Cost to Eligible Professionals Looking to receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential? Check out our programs to get certified, renew your certification, and more! What is a CDA Credential? A CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The credential enables professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States, and provides opportunities for increased pay. Trying Together’s CDA Programs Trying Together offers the following CDA programs at no cost to eligible early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania: CDA Credential Preparation Program 135 hours of professional development over the course of six to nine months. Focused on practice knowledge and skills professionals need to become credentialled. Matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University once you obtain your credential. See if you are eligible. CDA Credential Community of Practice Program Focused on the completion of the CDA Credential portfolio requirements and preparing for the CDA Credential exam. Intended for professionals who completed the necessary requirements for a CDA Credential. Explores the current theory, research, and best practices related to early childhood. See if you are eligible. CDA Credential Renewal Program Offers support to professionals who are interested in renewing their CDA Credentials. Reviews current literature, strategies, materials, technology skills, and health and safety standards that are relevant to the early childhood field. See if you are eligible. An Interview with Our CDA Instructors To get a better understanding of Trying Together’s CDA programs, we conducted an interview with the former Director of Learning and Development Rachelle Duffy, in addition to Workforce Development Strategist Theresa Hetler and former Innovative Learning Strategist Mimi Loughead. CDA Preparation Program Questions How is the program structured? At first, the program consisted of monthly face-to-face meetings. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved to a virtual format where professionals meet twice per month on Zoom to discuss face-to-face and complete online coursework through Schoology. All of our content is pulled directly from what the CDA Council suggests for the test. How many hours are included? While the CDA Council only requires 120 hours, we recognize that some professionals may experience barriers such as working full-time or care responsibilities that may impact their ability to attend class. Our program offers 135 hours, creating a buffer of 15 hours, to ensure professionals stay on track and meet their hour requirements. Another reason we offer 135 hours is that it actually breaks down into the possibility of matriculating credit into higher education really well. You need to have 45 hours of training for one three-credit course in higher education. Participants can actually transfer the hours they complete in our program to complete three courses at higher education institutions like Carlow University. What is the typical timeline? About six to nine months. What will participants learn? Trying Together’s program covers a large range of topics including, but not limited to: health and safety in the classroom; observations and assessments; cognitive, physical, language, and literacy development; program and classroom management; the process to become a program director or owner; creating positive relationships with families; and professionalism. Participants learn how to manage a classroom, build a lesson plan, engage with young children, support every child’s learning, and new ideas they can implement into their program. What makes the program different or special? Our instructors get to know each participant individually and build the program around each person’s needs. We recognize that each professional has barriers in their life, whether that is working several jobs, care responsibilities, or other life circumstances. We build our program around what each person needs to succeed. Our instructors review every participant’s prior coursework, transcripts, experience, and training to make sure they receive hours for things they already completed rather than repeating those courses. This helps professionals meet that 135-hour requirement. We also offer support through the entire process from day one to completing their portfolio, scheduling observations, and taking their test. Not all programs do that. We also have connections with many organizations in the early childhood field. Through our programs, professionals can access opportunities such as the Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship, UnConferences, community events, and more. What is provided? Books and coursework from the CDA Council. Information on upcoming professional development sessions and online materials. Technical support and training on how to access and use the online tools and resources we provide. We lend and technology out to participants who need it. If you are unable to purchase a CDA book, or if you do not have a computer at home, we can personally deliver these materials to you and provide a tutorial on how to use the computer if needed. Helpful articles, videos, and other resources that can enhance your practice. Discussion opportunities with other professionals in the field. Professionals can talk with each other about issues they are experiencing and brainstorm solutions. General Questions What are the benefits of having a CDA Credential? Often recognized as the first step a professional can take to begin their journey on Pennsylvania’s formalized Career Lattice and is a great place to start in terms of personal growth and development. If you are worried about higher education being overwhelming, this is a great opportunity to ease into it and get acquainted with the education process, while still receiving a credential. What do the programs do? Our programs support early learning professionals in building their knowledge/skillsets, gaining confidence in the classroom, and advancing their careers in the field. We want to ensure that every professional feels confident and comfortable in seeking out and applying for education opportunities, including those offered at higher education institutions, after the program as well. What inspired the creation of these programs? Trying Together wanted to have community-based CDA programs that meet the needs of individuals and professionals of all ages who may or may not have experience in higher education. This credential is often thought of as the first stepping stone into either high-paying jobs and/or a credentialing system that involves a degree, and we wanted to make that accessible. What has the community response been? Are a lot of people participating? We received a rapid increase in community response, so much to the point where we are receiving applicants from individuals inside and outside of Pennsylvania. To account for this, we had to split up our applicants into several cohorts throughout the year to make sure every eligible professional receives the support and guidance they need to succeed. Our average cohort size is about 25 to 30 students. Even while a cohort is actively running, we have had Directors reach out to us to ask if additional staff members can join. What is the Professional Development Organization? The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded education collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance career pathways of the early childhood workforce. The PDO covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials, Associate’s Degrees, and Bachelor’s Degrees. To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. To learn more, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org. More Information For more information, visit our CDA Credential page. To ask a question about our programs, contact Theresa Hetler at theresa@tryingtogether.org or Lindsey Vicoria at lindseyv@tryingtogether.org. For eligibility questions, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org.
January 13, 2021 Apprenticeship Opportunity Available In Pennsylvania Are you an early learning professional in Southwestern Pennsylvania who is interested in earning higher wages or advancing your career? Apprenticeship might be right for you! About As an employer-driven program registered with the state of Pennsylvania, Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with related technical instruction to build skills and create pathways to earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Associate’s Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree through partners at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Carlow University. Request More Information Apprenticeship is accepting new apprentices for the 2021 Spring and Summer semesters. For more information, contact: Lindsey Vicoria – lindseyv@tryingtogether.org
January 28, 2018 CDA Credential Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The CDA Credential is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early learning professionals in their work to build on their professional experience and expertise. As a nationally recognized credential, a CDA Credential enables early learning professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States of America. Several topics are studied in a CDA program, including, but not limited to: A healthy and safe learning environment Physical, cognitive, language and creative development Social and emotional development Positive guidance Creating positive relationships with families Program and classroom management Observation and assessments Professionalism in early childhood education By earning a CDA Credential, early learning professionals strengthen their professional skill sets, gain opportunities to advance their careers, increase their confidence in the classroom, and reinforce their commitment to support young children and families. Trying Together CDA Credential Preparation Program Trying Together’s Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Preparation Program offers 135 hours of professional development over the course of approximately six months, focused on practice knowledge and skills early learning professionals need to become credentialed. Program participants can matriculate up to nine course credits at Carlow University or Community College of Allegheny College (CCAC) once they obtain their CDA credential. This program is intended for early learning professionals in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Trying Together offers this program at a community-based level with the support of various funding and development partners including the PDO at PASSHE, The Buhl Foundation, and The Pennsylvania Key. Program Details Through the program, early learning professionals choose the CDA Credential in their desired age group. Center-based Infant and Toddler CDA – The Infant-Toddler CDA is for educators who work with children from birth through 36 months. Center-based Preschool CDA – The Preschool CDA is for educators who work with children 3 to 5 years of age. Family Child Care CDA – The Family CDA is for educators who work with children ages birth through 5 in a family child care home setting. Home Visitors CDA – The Home Visitor CDA is for educators who visit with families of children age 5 and younger in their homes. They support parents, meet the needs for their child, and visit regularly to provide early education to the child and family. Through the Trying Together CDA preparatory course, educators attend live Zoom sessions and complete self-paced online coursework, receive support from an experienced instructor, and are eligible to apply to receive a nationally recognized credential after their exam and observation. A limited number of computers are available through the Trying Together technology lending program for individuals who qualify. These devices must be returned at the end of the program. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for this program, individuals must: reside in the state of Pennsylvania, have obtained a high school diploma or GED, work in a Keystone STARS early learning program, and work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times). Request More Information If you are interested in participating in Trying Together’s CDA Credential Preparation Program, please complete our CDA Credential Program Interest Form. Please note that this form is utilized for inquiry purposes only and is only available to professionals in Pennsylvania. After completing the form, a member of our staff will contact you to determine your eligibility and identify a CDA pathway that works best for you. Requests for information are answered on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions For general questions about the program, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org or Mikaela Nagg at mikaela@tryingtogether.org. CDA Credential Renewal Program Trying Together offers guidance to questions that support the CDA Credential Renewal by visiting the The Council for Professional Recognition website. If you have any additional questions, contact Judy Graca at judy@tryingtogether.org or Mikaela Nagg at mikaela@tryingtogether.org. Professional Development Organization (PDO) The Professional Development Organization (PDO) is a grant-funded educational collaboration among four universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and numerous partner universities, colleges, and community programs across the state to advance the career pathways of the early childhood workforce. PDO funding covers tuition, expenses, and other supports to help eligible early childhood educators earn credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials, Associate’s Degrees, and Bachelor’s Degrees. Tuition-Free Courses Tuition-free courses are eligible for early childhood professionals who: are Pennsylvania residents, work in a Keystone STARS program, and work a minimum average of 25 hours per week over an entire work year (during non-COVID times). To determine your eligibility, complete the online application. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a PDO Liaison from your region will contact you to discuss your professional development options. Our Work Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering with the Early Childhood Education PDO at PASSHE to provide community-based CDA programming. Trying Together provides an Early Childhood Liaison as a member of the PDO Liaison Network to establish and maintain relationships and connections with our region’s early childhood educators, programs, and professional preparatory organizations. More Information For more information, contact Lindsey Vicoria-Bucki at lindseyv@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network. All projects featured on this webpage are supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov.
