Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Series Application

Page 1: Introduction

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Welcome!

Congratulations on your interest in furthering your professional development in the early childhood field!

The Child Development Associate (CDA) training series funded and facilitated by thread will provide the instruction, materials, and support required for eligible early childhood educators to apply for and earn a CDA credential.

Eligibility For This Application

This opportunity is open to a limited number of educators who:

Are currently employed or volunteering at a licensed child care program in Alaska,
Are active/current in the Alaska SEED Registry at Levels 1-5 on the SEED Career Ladder,
Have earned a high school diploma or GED, and
Have never before earned a CDA credential.

In addition to online CDA courses, some verification visits may be conducted virtually. Participants will need access to a stable internet connection.

What Participants Receive

Participants will receive a free, 1-year membership to ProSolutions Training, and participants at Level 1-4 on the SEED Career Ladder will receive an additional package of CDA courses through ProSolutions. All participants will receive financial support to cover the CDA application fee ($425) and have the opportunity to earn a minimum of $1,000 by completing all sessions and achieving their CDA certification. No partial credit or partial compensation will be given. Participants must complete all sessions and achieve their CDA to receive payment.

thread requires a copy of the 120-hr CDA training certificate, and the detailed transcripts from ProSolutions, to be uploaded to the participant's SEED Registry account & emailed to thread to complete incentive payments.

To take advantage of this opportunity, please read the CDA eligibility requirements, process, and course schedule, and complete the enrollment application (on page 2).

Deadline to apply is October 25, 2024.

CDA Eligibility Requirements

The Council for Professional Recognition administers the CDA credential which is a nationally recognized program created to standardize the qualifications of early educators. For more information about the Council for Professional Recognition and the CDA credential, click here.

thread will provide selected candidates with the instruction, materials, and financial support to achieve the following eligibility requirements prior to starting the application process with the Council for Professional Recognition:

Education

Completion of 120 hours of formal early childhood education covering the growth and development of children, with no fewer than 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas. Documentation of these hours must be uploaded to your SEED Registry account on the ServicePortal.

Experience – within three years of application

Obtain 480 hours of professional work experience in a center-based setting with children.

Documentation – within six months of application

Prepare the CDA professional portfolio, which is a collection of reference materials related to working with children and families within six months of application.

After submitting the professional portfolio and application fee to the Council for Professional Recognition, the final step in the process of earning a CDA Credential is a verification visit and exam.

CDA Question & Answer Check-Ins and CDA Training Series

Participants are required to attend two virtual meetings with thread during this Training Series and have the option to check in with thread at two additional virtual meetings:

Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 6 pm - 8 pm: Kick off meeting (required)

Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm: Check-in (optional)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm: Check-in (optional)

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, 6 pm - 8 pm: Final meeting (required)

In addition to these virtual meetings, thread is offering courses through ProSolutions Training to complete online asynchronously on the participant's own schedule, with no fewer than 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas, along with the development of the CDA professional portfolio.

Additional support will be provided to participants to successfully apply for the CDA credential and complete the verification visit and exam.

To apply for this opportunity, please complete the Application Form on the next page.

Page 2: Application Form

Participant Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Program Name:

Personal Mailing Address (for shipping CDA materials):

City:

Zip:

Email:

Phone number:

Which credential are you seeking?

Infant/ToddlerPreschoolFamilyLearn more at https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/educator-pathways.

My current employment status is (choose one):

I am employed in an early childhood education facility which is licensed by the State of Alaska, Child Care Program Office (CCPO) or the Municipality of Anchorage or is regulated by a tribal entity.I am employed in an early childhood education facility which isn’t licensed or regulated.I volunteer in an early childhood education facility which is licensed by the State of Alaska, Child Care Program Office or the Municipality of Anchorage
or is regulated by a tribal entity.I volunteer in an early childhood education facility which isn’t licensed or regulated.I am not currently employed in the early childhood education field but am interested in entering this profession.

Eligibility Notice

Thank you for your interest in this CDA opportunity. However, to be eligible to apply you must be employed or volunteer in a licensed child care program.

If you do not work or volunteer at a licensed child care program, please exit this application.

My current level on the Alaska SEED Career Ladder:

IRS Form W9

Upload a Completed IRS Form W9:

To complete the IRS Form W9: (1) Download IRS Form W9 here. (2) Fully complete and sign. (3) Save and upload here.

Signature

By checking this box and signing below, I agree to the following:

I commit to attending the two required sessions with thread.
I commit to completing all 120 hours of the required CDA coursework, the exam, and the CDA verification visit. I will send a copy of the 120-hour CDA training certificate and the detailed transcripts from ProSolutions to thread and upload it into my Alaska SEED Registry account.

Type Your Name to Sign: