SUMMER 2007
Core Competencies & Learning Objectives
Coming Soon – A Trainer Retreat!
Minnesota's PD System Update
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES::
Contact:Gail Mahr
651-290-9704 ext. 200
Not by Chance:
Contact: Gail Mahr
651-290-9704 ext. 200
Ounce Scale MN Child Care Project
Contact: Mary Scott
651-433-2182
Surge Support Child Care Project
Contact: Julie Wasiluk
651-290-9704 ext. 119
Contact: Cory Woosley
651-746-4024
Update on Minnesota’s Early Childhood
and School-Age Care
Professional Development System
This public communication was released via e-mail by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Development Services in September, 2007
This communication follows our update disseminated in July of this year. We intend to keep you regularly informed on the development of the Minnesota Early Childhood and School-Age Care Professional Development System.
As you know, in July, DHS awarded Metropolitan State University a two-year grant through a Request for Proposals process to develop, coordinate and implement key elements of the professional development system:
-
The Professional Development Registry will be a Web-based tool to track practitioner learning records and career development, a trainer approval system, a list of approved content/trainings, connection with higher education and a centralized training calendar that will serve as the system’s foundation.
-
The Learning Continuum Framework, based on practitioner core competencies, will identify, approve, create and adapt training content.
-
Trainer Approval and Support will provide processes, methods and tools to approve, support and train a full spectrum of trainers (including relationship-based trainers) delivering training approved by DHS.
In order to best ensure coordination of the entire system with Metropolitan State University’s work and training delivery functions through the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) system, a communication protocol has been established in order to systematically begin to plan the details and coordination of this complex work.
Since July, we have been involved in “housekeeping” to ensure that basic infrastructure pieces are in place to support coordination of an effective timeline and workplan for Metropolitan State University and other grantees. DHS is working with TeamWorks, International, to facilitate initial planning and coordination meetings during the next few weeks with professional development grantees currently funded by DHS for the transition year of FY2008, Metropolitan State University and the Minnesota CCR&R Network. One focus of these meetings is the creation of strategies to ensure broader public involvement in system development over the coming year. Meetings planned are:
September 13: |
Metropolitan State University, MN CCR&R Network and DHS staff |
October 10: |
Transition year professional development grantees, DHS and Metropolitan State University staff. |
DHS continues to fund current partners through FY2008 that have provided support and coordination for content-specific trainers and curriculum. These grants will support smooth transition and coordination with Metropolitan State University to avoid gaps in support for and recruitment of trainers. DHS also continues to fund and support the Minnesota CCR&R system to continue their role of coordinating delivery of training.
To ensure overall coordination of system planning and development, DHS also intends to convene a state-level advisory group soon to provide input into and coordination of infrastructure activities across the five professional development system elements supported by its grantees. The group will be staffed by DHS with additional support from the National Child Care Information Center. Critical areas of focus for the advisory group will include:
-
Planned system scope and operations issues
-
Transition year activities to ensure continued delivery of training services in FY2008
-
System access for family, friend and neighbor caregivers
-
System access for underserved communities
-
System evaluation planning and implementation through continuous improvement and refinement
-
Coordination with the Parent Aware quality rating system pilot
Plans are underway to address the statutory requirement to identify trainings that qualify for the two-hour early childhood development training requirement.
For more information, please contact Catharine Cuddeback at catharine.cuddeback@state.mn.us.