Staff Development

Purpose: Our program must ensure all staff, consultants, and contractors engaged in the delivery fo program services have sufficient knowledge, training and experience and competencies to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of their positions. Our program must ensure high-quality service delivery in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the program must provide ongoing training and professional development to support staff in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.

Professional Development is an ongoing education cycle throughout one's career in any given field.

Our Head Start and Early Head Start Staff are required to receive a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year. We track this through the Opportunities in Professional Network (OPEN) Initiative website. https://www.openinitiative.org/

Our Head Start and Early Head Start Staff are required to receive an annual training in Child Abuse and Neglect. They also receive an annual training with Blood-borne Pathogens.

All New Employees receive their "New Employee Training" with in the first 90 days of employment.

Staff have the ability to receive their CDA (Child Development Associate) or College Education free through applying with the F.A.C.E. (Funding Assistance for Career Education). Staff who qualify will be given the funding to further their career and education. Contact the Staff Development Coordinator for details on process for F.A.C.E. funding or starting the CDA process. You may also research the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards through the Council for Professional Recognition website: http://www.cdacouncil.org/

Professional Development Training is provided through: Monthly Training, In-Service Day Training or Specialized Training to update or strengthen the practices of a component area that has experienced changes. Any questions about training should be directed to your Area Supervisor or the Staff Development Coordinator. Additional training opportunities maybe found on the MO Workshop Calendar website:  http://www.moworkshopcalendar.org/

You will find Staff Development Forms (Stipend Request, Training Request, Professional Development Plan and Record) When you log-in to our ESC website: http://escswa.org/ and go to the Administration or Human Resources Tab on the left.