Training

High-Quality, Foundational Professional Development

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) has made a commitment to offer high-quality, foundational professional development opportunities to child care providers in various settings. The identified goals are to:

Increase provider professionalism
Develop a professionals’ passion for quality child care available for children
Ensure a healthy and safe environment for children
Help providers understand their influence on the quality of child care and its impact on society and children’s futures
Help providers understand the impact of the child care system on communities, families, employers and businesses
Motivate providers to apply principles of child development when planning curriculum rather than just doing activities
Continually strive for a quality child care environment for every child
Assist providers with strengthening business practices to support their career of choice
A certificate of seat hours is issued at the end of each series or class and is creditable for 5 years, unless otherwise noted. These hours can be used towards regulatory hours as presented in the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Guidelines specific to provider type.
One college credit hour in early childhood or elementary education for school age is the equivalent of 15 hours of training.

Access i-PoWeR How-To Videos

i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry

Iowa's Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR) is a comprehensive registry where you can find and enroll in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved professional development opportunities related to early childhood and school-age professionals. It will also maintain a record of your professional achievements. Approved training opportunities can be accessed by visiting i-PoWeR.

For assistance on creating an account, please contact your local Child Care Consultant or Training Specialist or email the i-PoWeR Help Desk.

Additional tips and tricks that every provider should know can also be found on flyers here: Home Providers or Center Staff & Managerial Roles. At the bottom of this training page, you will also find 1-2 minute "How To" video clips and longer webinars regarding i-PoWeR navigation.

Additional training approved by HHS can be accessed on the HHS website.

Foundational Trainings

CCR&R offers a variety of trainings, as funding allows. Please contact the Training Specialist in your area for a list of additional trainings that may be available.

Our Child Care Consultants assist with Child Development Home (CDH) professional development record (Spanish) (Word) and can make referrals to partner programs that will help providers in following their plans for higher education. Child Care Centers can utilize this professional development record (fillable) for staff.

Training Name	Training Description
Back to Sleep - Tummy to Play Training Credit - 2 hours upon completion of face-to-face or online series Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	This professional development opportunity presents research to understand SIDS, recommendations for safe sleep, the provider's role in the safe sleep environment and guidance for the importance of tummy time when infants are awake.
ChildNet 3.0 Training Credit - 25 hours upon completion of face-to-face or online series Training Audience - Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	This series provides the foundational skills needed to operate a successful child care business. Upon series completion, providers will be eligible for ChildNet Certification and to obtain points in the Quality Rating System.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Family Child Care Training Credit - 20 hours Training Audience - Child Development Homes (CDH)	This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages birth-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Infant Toddler 2023 Training Credit - 18 hours Training Audience - Center Directors, Infant and Toddler Classroom Staff	This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages 0-3. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Preschool 2023 Training Credit - 28 hours Training Audience - Preschool Directors and Staff, Center Directors and Preschool Classroom Staff	This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model to classroom-based settings for ages 3-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.
Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs Training Credit - 6 hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH)	This training is designed to help child care providers be prepared for handling emergency situations that may affect their program and community. It will also provide the necessary tools and information to create an emergency plan that will meet Iowa law requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Resources Training Credit - 3 Hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	Resource page only - Iowa law requires child care providers to have a written emergency plan in place by October 1, 2016. Emergency plans must include procedures for 6 key areas. There are templates and tools available for child care providers to help meet your program's needs. You are not required to use any of the templates and tools offered, although the tools and templates will help you meet requirements in Iowa law.
Essentials Preservice Series Training Credit - 11.5 Hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA), Child Care Home (CCH)	This series offers providers important information on key health and safety topics and was developed to meet Iowa Department of Health and Human Services professional development requirements.
Compass - Environmental Rating Scale Training Training Credit - Four 2 hour classes. NOTE: There are 6 different Compass Options. Please see iPoWeR for specific training Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	This series is a nationally recognized tool used to assess and improve the quality of center, school age, infant/toddler and family child care programs. Workshops offer step-by-step guidance for making helpful changes that can make a real difference in the work that is done with young children.
First Aid and CPR Training Credit - Varies based on Training Organization Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA), Child Care Home (CCH)	Certification in infant and child first aid includes managing a blocked airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Required to provide care Approved list: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Foundations of Understanding Trauma Training Credit - 6 hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), School-Aged Programs	This basic orientation training will focus on behavior shaping through a trauma-informed lens. It will use the latest science from multiple fields to support the practice of staff engaged in helping children overcome challenges that are not of their own doing or choice.
Iowa Early Learning Standards Training Credit - 2 hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH)	This series addresses the developmental areas of young children, which are based on research and theory in early care and education. It is a guide in understanding how children learn, as well as the importance of play, routine, and relationships regarding their development.
Medication Administration Skills Competency 2023-2027 edition Training Credit - 2 hours course completion Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH),Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA), Providers "assigned the role" of medication administration in their ECE Program	This course is designed to address the principles and skills needed to administer medications to children.
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training Training Credit - 2 hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC), Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	Providers are required to attend this Iowa-specific training to learn how to identify the signs of child abuse and the steps needed to report incidents.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care of Iowa Training Credit - 10 hours credit per module Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH)	This training approach equates good care with training infant/toddler providers who are preparing themselves and the environment so that infants can learn.
School Age Matters (SAM) Training Credit - 10 hours Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC), Child Development Homes (CDH)	School-age children have a specific set of developmental needs that are different from younger children. Attendees will learn the skills needed to effectively adapt their programs to accommodate this age group.
Universal Precautions Training Credit - 1 hour, renew every year Training Audience - Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools, Child Development Homes (CDH), Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)	Providers will learn what can be done to protect the children in their care from the spread of germs and disease. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the importance of post-exposure policies and procedures.

Child Development Associate National Credential

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is a nationally recognized credential earned by those working in the early care and education field. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards and includes an assessment process by the Council for Professional Recognition.

The CDA credential, a recognized part of child care regulations in Iowa and across the country, is a way to earn points on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) and is part of achieving some accreditation standards. CDA credentials have been awarded around the country since 1971 and over 300,000 credentials have been granted. All CCR&R trainings correspond with the 8 CDA content areas listed below:

1) Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
2) Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
3) Supporting children's social and emotional development
4) Building productive relationships with families
5) Managing an effective program operation
6) Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
7) Observing and recording children’s behavior
8) Understanding principles of child development and learning

For more information how to achieve your CDA, visit our CDA webpage here.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA

T.E.A.C.H. IOWA (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is a comprehensive scholarship program that provides the early childhood workforce access to educational opportunities and is helping establish a well-qualified, fairly compensated and stable workforce for our children. You can access the T.E.A.C.H. IOWA booklet here.

Early child care and education providers who may be eligible include those who:

Work in a regulated preschool, child care center, or home program for at least 30 hours per week (or all the hours your preschool offers programming with a 20-hour minimum)
Have worked with children birth to age 5 in the current program for at least 3 months (6 months for bachelor scholarships)
Are working toward an early childhood degree, CDA Credential™ (or renewal), endorsement, or teacher licensure renewal at an Iowa college
Have the support of your employer (if applicable).
Demonstrate participation in or progress towards a quality initiative such as QRS, QPPS, Head Start, or NAEYC/NAFCC accreditation.

For more information on the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA program or to apply, visit Iowa AEYC.