Head Start Collaboration Project
Trainer Certification

The Head Start Collaboration Project has initiated the development of certification programs for people providing non-college based training to early care and education programs and providers. This project is a partnership with the NYS Association for the Education of Young Children, the NYC Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, and other organizations. New York State has taken several steps (i.e., Educational Incentive Program, New York State Association for the Education of Young Children's credentialing programs) to emphasize college credit bearing coursework and credentialing programs as the preferred forms for early care and education career and professional development. However, there remains a significant role for non-college based training in both program quality improvement and individual provider's professional development. In response to this need, a wide array of training opportunities has been developed.

Unfortunately, the vast availability of professional development experiences forces programs and individual providers to struggle with determining what training program and which trainer will best meet their needs. To help programs and providers identify quality-training opportunities, work is currently being completed on the development of the New York State Trainers' Credential, a competency-based program for people providing training in early care and education. The credential program will validate the trainer's education and experience with children and/or families or in a specialized content area, and evaluate the trainer's competence in preparing and implementing professional development experiences that result in increased knowledge, improved professional practice, and eventually in higher quality programs for children and families. It is a voluntary, competency-based credential that is divided into three levels to accommodate trainers with varying levels of education, expertise and training experience. The Trainer's Credential is being piloted in New York City. Once the pilot test is completed, the credential will be made available statewide.