Veteran Head Start and Early Head Start staff understand that there is often confusion on how quickly staff are required to obtain the CDA, and also how to renew the CDA. Often times, this confusion comes from the changes over time and the varying Head Start requirements.

There is now a new CDA compliance decision that can be confusing. EHS-CCP have to be compliant with CDA requirement within the 18-month start-up period; BUT for programs proposing to convert from preschool to EHS services within their existing grant, when the conversion is initiated, staff have to have the appropriate CDA.

In other words, the new EHS-CCP programs have their 18-month deadline, but that does not apply for straight conversion.

To assist programs with securing the required CDA credential for your EHS staff, your friends at T/TAS have a solution. In order to earn a CDA, individuals must show a minimum of 120 clock hours of formal training in early childhood education. The Infant/Toddler Professional Caregiver Certificate (I/T 121) provides the formal training necessary for the CDA educational requirements in an online manner! Upon successful completion, the participant will receive official documentation to verify the individual's formal education experience meeting that portion of the CDA process.

We at T/TAS are excited to help you meet the requirements! For more information please contact me, Dr. Amy Hood, at amy.hood@wku.edu.

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Amy S. Hood, EdD
Infant-Toddler Specialist, and CCR&R Director
amy.hood@wku.edu