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Child Development Associate (CDA) Scholarship FY2009 Program Expansion Board of Early Education and CareSeptember 9, 2008

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CDA Scholarship Program Expansion

The FY2009 Budget earmarks $250,000 for Child Development Associate (CDA) scholarships (line item 3000-6050).

CDA is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Credentials are issued for family child care, center-based (infant/toddler and preschool), and home visiting. CDA = Specialized training in early childhood

education and EEC Lead Teacher qualified

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CDA Scholarship FY2008 Program Information

EEC currently administers a scholarship program for eligible* educators to support CDA application costs.

Educators submit scholarship voucher to Council in lieu of payment.

171 applicants approved - 43% vouchers redeemed.

49% of applicants are FCC providers or approved FCC assistants.

~$21,975 paid to Council for vouchers/~$28,325 still outstanding.

*To be eligible for the CDA Scholarship applicants must be residence of Massachusetts, working in an EEC licensed or license-exempt program, and have a family income at or below 100% SMI.

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CDA ScholarshipExisting Program Challenges

Scholarship not well connected to other professional development initiatives, including academic support;

Educators seeking CDA may still have limited or no access to higher education institutions; and

Cost for the required education and observation components are not currently supported in the scholarship.

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FY2009 CDA ScholarshipRecommendation

EEC is proposing to:

Continue funding direct CDA Scholarships with enhanced outreach (~$50,000); and

Issue a competitive RFR to establish new or expand existing CDA Scholarship programs that can provide: a cohort model, college credit for CDA attainment, and direct links to further professional development opportunities (~$200,000).

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FY2009 CDA Scholarship Proposal: Recommendation

Proposal will: Facilitate access to college for ECE educators in

accordance with Governor’s Education Action Agenda; Provide a continuum of professional development for

ECE educators in agreement with EEC’s Workforce Development Plans

Promote college credit for CDA as recommended by the EEC/OST Workforce Task Force;

Enable educators to meet EEC child care center qualifications and CPC/UPK requirements for FCC;

Support non-traditional students; and Provide access to professional development

opportunities for ELL educators as legislatively required in EEC’s updated enabling statute.