Trying Together helps educators to obtain their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a widely recognized credential in the early childhood education field and a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement.
Trying Together has recently formed a CDA Alumni Network as a means of staying connected with the participants who have taken the course.
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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.
Lindsey Vicoria, Trying Together’s Career Pathways program manager, said the CDA network currently consists of nine Trying Together CDA Cohort alum – two from Fayette County and seven from Allegheny County.
“We had this idea of building up our CDA alumni network,” Vicoria said. “We have kept contact with a lot of great early educators, but sometimes we lose touch after they get their CDA. So, we wanted a way to strengthen that connection.”
She said the idea for the network is to provide a leadership development opportunity for the CDA alumni who want to dive a little deeper into the work and to provide feedback for Trying Together’s growing CDA program.
Current participants in the CDA Alumni Network hold a variety of positions in the education field, from leadership to administration and educator roles. The group meets quarterly and holds both virtual and in-person meetings.
“I think it’s important for two reasons – to strengthen our CDA program through continuous practitioner-informed feedback and to develop a pipeline of emerging early childhood education leaders who are connected to the work of Trying Together,” Vicoria said. “It’s intended to professionalize the field, build emerging ECE leaders, and expand Trying Together’s visibility and credibility through authentic educator voices.”
The network takes part in a variety of activities, including skill building, workshops, and CDA program feedback and insight. For example, the council provides feedback and reflection on any new CDA components that are introduced.
Vicoria said the network provides a great opportunity for networking. She added that she is encouraged by the group’s growth.
“This is an opportunity for educators from across the region to network, build relationships, and share practices,” she said. “I feel energized by the meetings and the joy in the space when all of these educators get a chance to get together. It makes me excited for the future of the field and the leaders who Trying Together is connected to.”
Those interested in getting involved can email Vicoria at lindseyv@tryingtogether.org. Participants should be alumni of Trying Together’s CDA credential course from one of the 10 counties that Trying Together covers.
Institute for Early Childhood Career Pathways and the CDA Credential
The Institute for Early Childhood Career Pathways is the central hub for Trying Together’s workforce development programs, bringing together education, career pathways, and professional growth opportunities, with the goal to support the early childhood workforce.
The CDA Credential Program offered by the institute constitutes 135 hours of professional development over the course of approximately six months, focusing on practice knowledge and skills early learning professionals need to become credentialed.Trying Together is actively enrolling students for the fall’s CDA cohort.
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. 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
