In states like Alaska, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is recognized as a vital benchmark for early care and education professionals. The CDA is an essential foundation for the professional growth of early childhood educators nationwide.
Administered by the Council for Professional Recognition for over 35 years, the CDA provides a structured way to assess, enhance, and communicate the level of safety, competence, and responsiveness in early care and education settings.
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.
Application is open now until October 25, 2024.
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.
- Active/current in the Alaska SEED Registry at Levels 1-5 on the SEED Career Ladder
- Have earned a high school diploma or GED
- 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
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 before 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 Alaska 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 4, 2025, 6 pm – 8 pm: Final meeting (requited)
In addition to these virtual meetings, thread is offering courses through ProSolutions Training to complete online asynchronously on the participants 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.