Child Development Training Consortium

Overview of Program

What is the Child Development Training Consortium?

The CDTC is a statewide program funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division (CDE/CDD) with Federal Block Grant Child Care and Development Quality Improvement Funds. The program is administered by the Yosemite Community College District. The program was created to address the critical shortage of qualified child care workers in the state of California. The demand for qualified workers continues to grow. The program also supports the professional growth and development of those already working in the field. Funding for all program services is limited.

What does the CDTC provide?

The five main program services the CDTC provides to eligible participants are:

1. Community College Reimbursement Program

   This program is available to reimburse specific educational expenses at 95 community colleges across California. Access to this program is available through the CDTC Campus Coordinator designated at each of the colleges. West has applied to be reinstated to the program should new funding be Made available by the State budget. We can help you access the program.

2. Career Incentive Grants- 4 types

   The 4 types of grants (in priority order) are available to:

   1. Recipients of permit waivers issued by CDE/CDD ($800 max/year/student)
   2. Students attending non CDTC community colleges ($300 max/year/student)
   3. Students attending alternative training programs approved by the California. Commission on Teacher Credentialing ($300/max/year/student)
   4. Students attending 4 year colleges or universities ($800/max/year/student)
3. Administrator Institutes

   The CDTC sponsors a series of 2 and 3 day Institutes throughout the state that Support the professional growth and development of program directors and site Supervisors.

4. Child Development Permit Stipends

   The CDTC will pay the application processing fees to the Calif. Comm. on Teacher Credentialing for ALL Child Dev. Permits including Program Director. Funds are also available to upgrade and renew all permits. If funds run low priority is given in the following order: first time, upgrades, renewals, and lower level permits in each category. Call for application packets at: (209) 572-6080. (Web site: www.childdevelopment.org)

5. Professional Growth Advisor Project

   The CDTC provides training and support to new and previously trained Professional growth advisors. A registry is available. Beth Evans can assist you at West L.A. (310-287-4446)

Mentor Programs

California Early Childhood Mentor Program

If you are interested in participating in the Mentor Program as a Director/ Site Supervisor or Teacher, West Los Angeles in collaboration with Los Angeles Southwest College and Los Angeles Trade Tech College have regionalized the program. You can apply at West by filling out a letter of intent that you can pick up at the Child Development Office in Science 108.

Introduction

In response to low salaries and inadequate training opportunities for child care teachers and directors, Chabot College and the Child Care Employee Project (now the Center for the Child Care Workforce) devised the California Early Childhood Mentor Program. The program aims to support experienced teachers in the classroom, to increase the accessibility of the supervised practicum course required for a certificate or AA degree, to facilitate opportunities for experienced early childhood administrator to offer guidance to inexperienced directors, and to improve the quality of child care. The program first trains experienced teachers in an advanced course on mentoring, which is offered by the community colleges. Next, a committee of community representatives, teachers, directors, and instructors selects Mentors based on written applications and worksite assessments. Early childhood instructors then place student teaches in the Mentors’ classrooms for completion of practicum courses. The community college program supports Mentors in their ongoing professional development. Classroom Mentors earn stipends for their supervision of students, their attendance at a monthly Mentor Seminar, and completion of professional development activities.

Classroom Mentors

Mentors receive several direct benefits from the program:

• Advanced training in adult supervision;
• Stipends;
• The opportunity to supervise student teachers; and
• Support to pursue career objectives.

The Director Component operates on a parallel model. Experienced directors attend two-day “institutes” on mentoring before they apply for selection. Once chosen as Director Mentors, they are eligible for stipends for mentoring “protégé directors”. Local Mentor Programs support monthly Director Seminars, which are open to all directors in the community.

Director Mentors

Director Mentors receive several direct benefits from the program:

• Stipends;
• The opportunity to guide protégé directors; and
• Ongoing professional support and networking opportunities with colleagues.

TANIF- Child Development Careers Programs

The TANIF-Child Development Careers Program is a collaboration of organizations with a common goal and vision to offer the opportunity of a life long career path as an early childhood educator. Through an integrated training program of classes and work experience participants are prepared to become an Associate Teacher or a Teacher through the California Child Development permit process. Participants receive the highest quality preparation, training and education. Individuals who participate in the program and become part of this important career path will play a key role in improving the quality of care and education provided to young children during their most critical and formative years.

Eligibility:

Programs Leading to a Career in Early Childhood

There are two distinct paths for acquiring an academic background in ECE. West Los Angeles College offers the Teacher Training Track and the Family Home Day Care Providers Track. We also offer courses that are specifically designed for professional growth units. The requirements for these paths are described in the Program Requirements section of the handbook. You can also access the information by getting one of the brochures from the Department Office in Science 108.

Curriculum Resources

Child Care Advocacy

Connect for Kids (www.connectforkids.org) is a website that will distribute a weekly e-mail with various types of important information. Send an e-mail to jan@connetforkids.org and will put you in the mailing list.

Our Instructors

• Marlene T. Shepherd
• Yvonne H. Simone
• LaDonna Black-Ott
• Glender McKay
• Carolyn C. Wilder
• Elizabeth G. Evans