Quality Initiatives
West Virginia Infant/Toddler Professional Development Program for Caregivers
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, Division of Early Care and Education is pleased to provide the West Virginia Infant/Toddler Professional Development Program for Caregivers (WVIT PDP). A result of a statewide collaboration through the Partners Implementing an Early Care and Education System (PIECES) for West Virginia, this comprehensive, competency-based program was developed for Trainers, Administrators and Caregivers to improve the quality of early care and education to our State’s youngest children. The approach is rooted in early childhood best practices with the emphasis on partnerships and team work between trainers and infant/toddler programs in all settings. To view a video for more information, click here. For information concerning when this training is offered in your area, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency.
Early Childhood Resource Lending Library
The library is a collaborative project of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, Office of Children and Family Policy, Division of Early Care and Education, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, West Virginia Birth to Three and the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Education. The library contains numerous resources such as books, brochures, videotapes, training manuals, workbooks, curriculum guides, assessment tools, and self-study modules. Also available for loan are environmental controls, adapted toys and software. Materials are available for loan to early childhood personnel and parents. For more information or to borrow materials, visit the library at 350 Capitol Street, Room 427 Charleston or call (304)558- 5388 or toll free from within West Virginia at 1-800-642-9704.
Lending Library of Assistive Technology
In cooperation with the Office of Maternal & Child Health, commonly used assistive technology was purchased to be part of the lending library for child care providers. Early childhood specialists will be trained to assist providers in using the equipment with children. For more information about the program, contact the Early Childhood Resource Lending Library 1-800-642-9704, or direct at 558-5388.
WV Early Childhood Training Connections and Resources
Child care funds support a collaborative effort with the Office of Maternal & Child Health and the Department of Education for an early childhood training calendar to track child care training statewide. This effort includes a state training resource library and development of training packages. Further information may be obtained at 1-888-WVECTCR or tcr@rvcds.org Training Connections continues to publish a quarterly periodical entitled West Virginia Early Childhood Provider Quarterly. To contribute to the quarterly, send your comments, photos, and questions to WVECTCR, 611 Seventh Avenue Suite 322, Huntington, WV 25701.
National Accreditation
Technical assistance and grants are available for child care center providers to assist with the cost and process of national accreditation. Once accredited, the program is eligible for a rate supplement varying up to $4.00 per day. Providers may request a stipend of up to $500. Contact Sandra Poore at 1-888-WVECTCR or tcr@rvcds.org or to WVECTCR, 611 Seventh Avenue Suite 322, Huntington, WV 25701.
Apprenticeship
Child Care Apprenticeship is a two year program that offers a combination of class work and on the job training. This program is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Labor and River Valley Child Development Services, with funding from the Early Care and Education Division of the West Department of Health and Human Resources for coordination and training. Several local colleges have entered into articulation agreements with the Department of Labor and offer college credit for completion of the Apprenticeship certificate. A video is available to show other states how to duplicate this program. Contact Suzi Brodof at (304) 523-0433.
WV Early Care and Education Professional Development System: WV STARS
This project, planned through the Governor's Early Childhood Implementation Commission, is a collaborative effort. The system includes core competencies as the basis for professional development, with career pathways to encourage higher levels of skills, credentials, and wages. A registry and credentialing system tracks and recognizes a provider's level of skill and accomplishment on the career pathway. The training approval system ensures that training meets minimum standards and trainers are qualified to provide such training. Contact training coordinator Sandra Poore at 1-888-WVECTCR or email tcr@rvcds.org. Download the Core Knowledge and Core Compentecies for Early Care and Education Professionals.
